‘Waiting so long’: Fans gather for Eurovision’s first Asia show

BANGKOK: Eurovision fans sporting flags and bright outfits gathered Saturday in Bangkok for its first Asia edition, featuring Bangladeshi beatboxing, Vietnamese pop and a love song by a Mongolian economist.

Performers from 11 countries also including Laos, the Philippines and South Korea are battling it out for the first Asia crown of a contest famed in Europe for its lavish outfits, soaring vocals and sometimes tricky geopolitics.

“I’m very pleased it’s come to Asia. We’ve been waiting so long!” said Malaysian mega-fan Fauzan, 37, one of the first in the queue to enter the concert hall in the Thai capital.