Love was all around in the cool, crisp air of Khao Yai National Park last week as entire families flocked to the cleared corn fields that are now known as the Bonanza Mall for the first open air KTC LoveiS Acoustic Winter Festival.

Many had driven up from Bangkok early in the day, and the atmosphere grew festive as night fell, with the crowd donning sweaters and jackets before enjoying an early dinner and drinks.

Looking around, I estimated the gathering to be 4,000 to 5,000-strong and was surprised when a KTC official told me that the number of festivalgoers was 8,000.

Perhaps the high figure explained the long queues at the food stalls and the disappointment many felt at being unable to get anything to eat or drink halfway through the show.

Arrangements had apparently been made to bring in more food and beverages, but even these proved inadequate. Fortunately, the locals had come prepared with goodies from home.

Organisers Fresh Air had promised the music would ring out through Khao Yai valley but the tents pitched at the front and back of the stage and the tamarind plantations to the right and left of the venue seemed to act as cushions, trapping the music in an invisible cloud.

After short shows by Safe, Shining Star, Coupe, Lolita and 7th Scene, the audience was treated to the scene of the stage spot-lit with the forest as backdrop, as the musicians joined voices for "Thi Haeng Nee" and officially opened the festival.

From then, it was non-stop music with veteran folk guitarist Phusaming Norsawan singing his timeless hit "Bot Rien Sorn Jai", songstress Rawiwan Chinda thrilling with "Phi Chai Thi Saen Dee", and crooner Paibulkiert Khiewkaew drawing loud applause with "Rak Lon Jai".

Many artists covered numbers by Thai and foreign artists including "Flying to the Moon", "Vincent", and "Blowing in the Wind". Some joined up for impromptu duets and unscripted jam sessions.

But as the night wore on, the sound system got worse and by the time the last band - Moderndog - took the to stage, it was on its last legs.

That didn't stop the band from putting on a brave performance, though, drawing cheers and wild applause from the crowd.

Then, as if to make up for the lack of food and the troublesome audio, founders of progressive rockers Pru, brothers Krisada "Noi" and Kamol "Suki" Sukosol Clapp jumped up on a stage for a surprise jam.

The festival finally ended at 4am, long after its scheduled close at midnight, much to the delight of an exhausted but happy crowd.

Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul

The Nation