It's bigger, bluer, better than ever. Presented by HotelTravel.com, The 2008 Phuket International Blues Rock Festival blasts off at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa, culminates today, Feb 23, 2008.

This year, promises event organiser Andy Andersen of Phuket Music Production Co., Ltd., the festival will be huge - expanded to 12 bands in total – and showcasing 10 of Thailand’s finest acts to be topped off with an American headliner each night.

Confirmed are Bangkok’s Soi Dog Blues Band, Georgia Blues Band, Full House and Cannonball as well as The Blues Machine from Pattaya and Boy Blues Band from Chiang Mai. From Koh Samui comes Li’l Willie & The Fabulous Hepcats and the festival has also secured one of Australia’s top blues acts, Salty Dog.

The local contribution this year is provided by American born diva Bonnie Anderson and The Groove Doctors assisted by Hollywood writer and blues-shouter Jimmy Fame.

The internationally renowned Rich Harper Band from Los Angeles which has a gathered strong following in Thailand over the past two years will return in 2008, to headline Friday night with their usual fiery style, helping to make this year’s festival a blues/rock extravaganza. Saturday night will see another top U.S. blues act: Shari Puorto from Southern California.

“First held in December 2005, The Phuket International Blues Festival was organized to showcase the diverse local and regional talent as well as top international performers, and to show the world that Phuket is capable of staging international music events on a par with the best in the world,” says Andy. “Last year was a superb show, and this year it is set to get even bigger and better. There is also a warm-up show at Tai Pan in Patong Thursday night, February 21 as well as a Jam Session at Saxophone, Patong Beach, Sunday February 24.”

The festival is a charity event, with profits being donated to worthy organizations dedicated to Phuket’s children’s education.

The festival is presented by HotelTravel.com a leading world wide hotel reservations service based in Phuket and hosted by the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa, the biggest and one of the grandest hotels on the island.

For all other details go to www.phuketbluesfestival.com