Known for his larger than life persona, hair guru Somsak Chalachol decided to revive his annual birthday party after having refrained for the past few years, and this year's bash pulled out all the stops with a retro Saturday Night Fever theme. The idea was apparently dropped by friends over a casual lunch, and invitations were soon issued over the social network depicting Somsak in John Travolta's famous disco pose, complete with white three-piece suit.
The party to mark Somsak's 56th birthday was planned on a small scale in the Pimarnman Room, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok. The guests who made their way through the lobby of the hotel in 70s-80s disco-themed outfits _ featuring Afro wigs, sequinned tops, flared trousers, mini skirts and boots _ were obviously not heading for the wedding in the ballroom. But no one was more outlandish that the birthday boy himself, dressed in white diamante shirt, white flared trousers with glittering appliques, sparkling rhinestone sunglasses and a golden cape that captured a mix between John Travolta, Elvis Presley and Liberace.
Guests had been encouraged not to bring gifts, but to instead donate to one of Somsak's three favourite charities: Somsak for Somsak Project, Hall for Education Project, and Ban Huay Sua Thao (Chao Korkaew Upatham) School in Mae Hong Son.
A buffet dinner was set up outside, as the room was packed with large and small seating clusters. It was almost a game of musical chairs, as the number of guests who turned up was much higher than anticipated despite the torrential rain.
The duo featuring Pom Autobahn played 70s music during dinner to help set the mood, and a few guests were already shimmying away on the dance floor while others were still enjoying their pasta.
As soon as the guests were sufficiently satiated, the party took off in full swing, with a special performance featuring Somsak himself, joined by Kraiwit Bhumsuko, Jeab Nonthiya Jewbangpa and Songwut Sawadee.
Somsak had been secretly rehearsing for the show and did some credible numbers that got Chitramontn Techaphaiboon running to the stage with a rose to present to the star.
As a special birthday surprise for Somsak, a special retro Fever Fashion Show show was produced by his students at Chalachol Hairdressing School, with contributions from the affiliated Fever Runway modelling academy, CIDI fashion design school and IMC makeup school.
Camera phones were working overtime, not just because of the fun atmosphere that brought friends together in themed outfits, but also because Somsak had announced a special prize for the guest who got the most "Likes" on their Instagram, with tags to somsakchalachol.
To add to the excitement of the evening, there was an unexpected appearance by Hollywood star Jean-Claude Van Damme, who came to wish the birthday boy many happy returns. As might be expected, Van Damme wasn't able to leave the room until practically every guest had had their picture taken with him.
From that point on, it was non-stop disco, with various DJs taking turns to spin dance music, as guests did disco rock or disco line dance movements and green laser beams bounced headily off the sequinned outfits.
After a night of pure fun celebrating Somsak's birthday, and making merit through donations for education, guests went home with a gift bag full of Sisley goodies courtesy of Rujitr Suthanaseriporn.
