The Seed Of Wonderfruit: How The Thai Festival Is Making The World A Better Place
What’s your most cherished memory of Wonderfruit? (Credit: Wonderfruit)
Sitting serenely, legs dangling off the Molam Bus. Partaking in a relaxing yoga sesh, with the Pattaya countryside all around you. Wolfing down a feast at a pop-up restaurant, helmed by Michelin starred chefs. Raving boisterously at the magnificent, otherworldly Solar Stage till the first light of sunrise pops up.
To the ones who’ve had the pleasure of being there, I’m certain you have your fair share of immortalised memories of the spectacle that is Wonderfruit. From 12 to 16 December 2019, the sixth edition of the multi-disciplinary festival returns to the fields of Pattaya, Thailand, and it’s welcoming you with open arms to forge memories anew.
The “sustainable Utopia” of Wonderfruit (Credit: Wonderfruit)
Elaborately assembled as a pop-up city, Wonderfruit 2019 is a makeshift metropolis providing a momentary but meaningful escape for its revelling guests, with its seemingly endless eclecticism. Techno raves, sound baths, farm-to-table dining, shamanic ceremonies, live concerts, yoga workshops and art-fuelled architecture are just some of the countless things you can get lost in when you venture into the realm of Wonderfruit. And more significantly, the festival does all of this while conveying a very important message.
Sustainable living is the core belief of the Thai festival (Credit: Wonderfruit)
When it comes to reconciling an exponentially increasing demand for music festivals and the urgency of the global climate crisis, Wonderfruit plays a role that is more vital now than ever. Aside from its reputation as one of Thailand’s most groundbreaking festivals, Wonderfruit is also a champion of sustainable living, minimising its carbon footprint and maximising its protection of the environment. This year, it continues to spread this awareness as it builds its “sustainable Utopia” with care and responsibility, while hosting talks led by key speakers with their green fingers on the pulse of this matter.
It’s likely that Wonderfruit boasts sights you’ve yet to see (Credit: Wonderfruit)
Other highlights to look forward to include the extended daytime hours of The Quarry stage, architecture-inspired sound art led by Musicity, the return of everyone’s beloved Solar Stage, activities and therapies that embrace Thai indigenous wisdom, and big names in the music sphere – Binh, Craig Richards, Sonja Moonear, Acid Pauli, Four Tet, Floating Points, Antal, Daddy G from Massive Attack, Garden City Movement, Ed Banger Records’ Busy P, Breakbot and Irfane, and even Singaporean selectors such as A/K/A Sounds and Funk Bast*rd.
So how does one put all of this together? How do you build a pop-up city? Who is the uncompromising innovator who first planted the seeds of Wonderfruit?
Meet Wonderfruit’s founder, Pranitan “Pete” Phornprapha (Credit: Wonderfruit)
I talk to Wonderfruit founder, Pranitan “Pete” Phornprapha, about the fruits of the festival’s success, and its growth from an aspiring sapling into an ecosystem of change.
Hi Pete. The evolution of Wonderfruit has been a phenomenal one. What can you tell us about this steady growth?
It’s been quite a journey. We have worked hard to get to where we are and have a strong sense of purpose, which translates to being more comfortable with creation.
It takes a passionate team to put this altogether (Credit: Wonderfruit)
Building a pop-up city is by no means an easy feat. What is the size of the team that’s working on the production side of things? And is this year’s city going to be even bigger?
Ha. There are like thousands of line items, so yes, you are are right to acknowledge the complexity of it. Our team has around 20 people, but it grows significantly closer to the event. Yes it is bigger, but also more defined in concept.
Wonderfruit is built using eco-friendly materials (Credit: Wonderfruit)
Wonderfruit is a champion of sustainable living. Why is it so important to push this mentality now more than ever?
The reason I started Wonderfruit and why I enjoy working on it is because of this urgency. We are surely living in an environmental crisis and everyone needs to take a role as everyone is responsible for it.
Can you share any significant figures or milestones that Wonderfruit has achieved in this pursuit?
We have planted over 13,500 trees, offset our carbon since 2017, recycled tonnes of waste and started the movement on awareness of single-use plastics. We received a greener festival award last year for our green communications. This year, we will only allow and use refillable cups, and have options and rewards for people who offset their travel footprint. All our builds and content starts with our ethos.
Food brings people together, much like the spirit of the festival (Credit: Wonderfruit)
That’s amazing, Pete. Farm-to-table dining is also a feature of Wonderfruit; in fact, the festival used to grow its own farm. Can you tell us more?
Food, and the impact it has on our planet, our society, and our body is a large part of what we do. I believe it is a strong catalyst for change given the growing appetite the world has for food as an experience and lifestyle.
You’ll never know what sort of roving performances you’ll stumble upon (Credit: Wonderfruit)
It’s no secret that Wonderfruit is esteemed globally as a stunning festival. How about local sentiments in Thailand? Does Wonderfruit receive lots of support from the community and government?
It does, gradually. It’s steadily increasing as more awareness is being generated. But with all of this, we try to establish a win-win scenario with all our stakeholders. Since we are an international event and a destination event where over half of the attendees fly into it, we want to make sure the community benefits in the right way from this.
Of course, it’s a family-friendly event (Credit: Wonderfruit)
In a global music industry where more and more festivals are popping up, it can be presumed that people now have more opportunities to go crazy and party recklessly. But Wonderfruit isn’t that kind of festival. It is a festival that is inclusive, safe, and environmentally friendly. How important is it for y’all to change people’s mindset of the “notorious festival experience”?
I feel that there is a huge opportunity when gathering large amounts of people together for a period of time. The time you spend together, under a curated direction, should impact both the attendees and the organisers. We decided early on that the impact should be creative, inclusive and environmentally-focused.
A sign all Wonderers are familiar with (Credit: Wonderfruit)
How did y’all feel when critics referred to Wonderfruit as the “Burning Man of Asia”, given its reputation for hedonism?
It was a great compliment. I’m a burner as well and love going out there. Hedonism, when channelled in the right way, can be extremely appropriate!
I agree! One thing I love about Wonderfruit is it doesn’t focus heavily on the star power of its lineup. It’s a festival where you’re encouraged to explore and discover new acts. Is such programming intentional?
Of course. It’s a sum of many parts. Our musical direction is to explore, embrace and excite.
One new development is the opening of the Quarry stage for daytime hours. What spurred on this decision?
It’s such as great venue. Shame not to have it see the light .
The Solar Stage by Gregg Fleishman continues to be an iconic landmark (Credit: Wonderfruit)
Indeed. Also, there’s always a certain magic that surrounds the Solar Stage. What do you think makes it so special and beloved?
The sun setting and rising, and the fact that it’s such a magnificent structure. It’s the centre of Wonderfruit and we try to create the chemistry that reacts with that time of the day. Again, it’s the sum of many parts.
Staggering structures make up the milieu of Wonderfruit (Credit: Wonderfruit)
From the numerous art installations to the upcoming Musicity collaboration with sound art inspired by architecture, Wonderfruit has always embraced the interplay between space, surroundings and structures. Where does this passion come from?
The team and I believe in telling stories that make people wonder. We want to provoke thought and emotion and use multiple mediums combined to do that. I love the intersection of this and how it comes together. We try to steer away from things that are too easy.
And lastly, if Wonderfruit is truly a city, what type of people are its inhabitants? Who does Wonderfruit welcome?
Everyone who is open to give it a chance. But we would encourage them to study our ethos, and see if it suits them. Hopefully, no assholes please.
Will you be there this year? (Credit: Wonderfruit)
Wonderfruit 2019, 12-16 December 2019, The Fields at Siam Country Club, Pattaya, Thailand. For more information on programme and tickets, visit its official website.
