Lady Gaga kicks off ‘Born This Way Ball Tour’ in Bangkok

[News Bandit]

BANGKOK, May 25 - Lady Gaga kicked off her 'Born This Way Ball Tour' in the Thai capital with 50,000 of her so called 'little monsters' expected to view her performance at Rajamangala National Stadium Friday evening.

Fans from Japan, Korean, and Vietnam joined thousands of Thai admirers crowding the premises since early morning, despite pervasive heat, saying they could bear the hot weather.

Hundreds of police and many police dogs and their handlers patrolled the site at 1pm for a last inspection before handing over the venue to the concert promoters.

Still and video cameras, metal accessories, laser pens, flashlights, and LED screen signboards are prohibited in the concert area.

Parking is available at several spots in the stadium itself and nearby areas, but organisers said travel by public transport—including motorcycle taxis, boats, and trains--would be most convenient.

Regarding safety measures, Pol Col Sanhakit Bamrungsuksawat, in charge of the stadium area, said more than 900 police officers are stationed around and inside the stadium. Concert goers must be checked before passing through bomb scanner checkpoints and dog-handling police. Some 200 traffic police are stationed to monitor traffic in the area.

Lady Gaga arrived in Bangkok on a private jet on Wednesday evening. Over 500 Thai fans were on hand to see the pop singer emerge. Some were overwhelmed and cried on seeing her, singing versions of 'Edge of Glory' from her latest 'Born This Way' album in welcome.

A fan said he had waited for his Lady Gaga moment for three years, commenting: "She is very beautiful and not dressed provocatively at all at her arrival, which is really good, especially as Thailand is a Buddhist country."

However, her first tweet on arrival registered excitement: “I just landed in Bangkok baby! Ready for 50,000 screaming Thai monsters.”

But saying “I wanna get lost in a lady market and buy fake Rolex” left many confused about what she meant exactly, and sparked criticism and dissatisfaction among many Thais.

On Friday afternoon, a protest against the pop singer in Silom business district showcased a banner in Thai and English saying "She represents all filthiness. Gaga is the ambassador of Satan,” warning of a “judgment from God to those who reject the light and righteousness."

The curtain rises on Lady Gaga’s 'Born This Way Ball Tour' gig in Bangkok 7:30pm, while gates opened at 5pm. (MCOT online news)

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