MIAMI: A new music festival in The Bahamas that was billed as the ultimate in luxury on Friday imploded just as it was to begin, leaving party-goers stranded and angry.
With packages that went up to $12,000, the Fyre Music Festival on a private island had promoted itself on Instagram with images of models lounging on the beach and promises of two weekends of extravagance.
The homepage for the festival, co-organized by rapper Ja Rule, featured a host of top models including Emily Ratajkowski, Bella Hadid, Alessandra Ambrosio, Hailey Baldwin and Joan Smalls relaxing on the beach.
Late last year, a group of super models, including Hadid, flew to the Bahamas together on a private jet for a mysterious working vacation. Later, it was revealed they were promoting the Fyre Festival.
But festival-goers, ready to post their lavish times on social media, arrived to take pictures of utilitarian white tents on the beach and plain cheese sandwiches.
The festival, which had been due to take place over two weekends, abruptly announced in an online statement Friday that it was being “postponed.”
“Due to circumstances out of our control, the physical infrastructure was not in place on time and we are unable to fulfill on that vision safely and enjoyably for our guests,” it said.
The festival said it would offer charter flights back to Miami to festival-goers, whose package included transportation.
But festival-goers shared pictures on social media of large crowds stuck at an airport, saying they lacked food and water as they waited for return flights.
“A guy just passed out in the airport because it’s so hot since they locked us in,” wrote Twitter user William N. Finley IV, who returned to Miami on Friday.
It was a far cry from how the festival was promoted.
A press release in December promised a “once-in-a-lifetime experience featuring two weekends of music, culture, art and food.”
“Think the hottest artists, the most beautiful water in the world, yachts, jet skis, and more than $1 million of real treasure and jewels hidden on the island,” it said.
Bella Hadid-backed music festival canceled
Bella Hadid-backed music festival canceled
Thai coffee chains cut default sugar content in coffee and tea drinks in a new health push
- The Health Department says Thais consume 21 teaspoons of sugar daily, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended six teaspoons
- Officials warn this increases obesity and diabetes risks. A survey found iced coffee and bubble tea contain high sugar levels
BANGKOK: For many Thais, a meal doesn’t feel complete without an iced coffee or tea so sugary it could pass for dessert. The government, concerned about the health consequences, wants them to dial it back.
Starting Wednesday, nine major coffee chains across the country have pledged to cut the default sugar content in some of their drinks by half in a government initiative aimed at tackling excessive sugar consumption.
According to the Health Department, Thais consume an average of 21 teaspoons of sugar per day, more than three times the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of six teaspoons. Health officials warn that such high intake increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and other diseases.
The initiative is the first significant step to change consumers’ sugar consumption behavior, said Amporn Benjaponpitak, the director general of the department.
Pakorn Tungkasereerak, the department’s deputy, said 2025 data show that about 45 percent of Thais aged 15 and older are obese, while 10 percent of the population has diabetes.
A survey by the Bureau of Nutrition found that a 22-ounce (650-milliliter) iced coffee contains an average of nine teaspoons of sugar, while a 10-ounce (300-milliliter) serving of bubble milk tea — an iced milk tea with tapioca pearls known as boba — can contain as much as 12 teaspoons.
Sirinya Kuiklang, an office worker, said she approves of the changes. She already orders her drinks at just 25 percent of the standard sugar level, but she is aware that many others consume too much sugar.
“It’s good for Thai people,” she said.
Another office worker, Porwares Tantikanpanit, said he has enjoyed his non-coffee beverages at their current sugar levels but is willing to adjust if shops reduce the sweetness.
However, putting the policy into practice may prove challenging. Officials have said each brand can apply the initiative as they see fit.
Some customers have expressed confusion in response to social media posts promoting the initiative, asking how to order drinks with the level of sweetness that they prefer. Several brands said that the reduction applies only to certain menu items.
