Some of the world's finest classical guitarists show off their skills alongside Thailand's maes tros from Thursday

Ever been held spellbound by the sound of a classical guitar? If so, you should check out the wizards weaving their magic at the Thailand International Guitar Festival 2008, being held from Thursday till Sunday at Thammasat University's small auditorium on Tha Prachan campus.

For four days visitors will be able to feast their eyes on live performances, seminars and workshops given by the best classical guitarists from Thailand and around the world.

Names to conjure with include 21-year-old Frenchman Gabriel Bianco, who regularly tops international competitions, Spain's award-winning guitarist Ruben Abel Pazos, and Grigory Novikov from Russia. They'll be matched by the blizzard of notes from Thailand's Nutavut Ratanakarn, Manoon Ploypradub, Danuchate Wisaijorn, Silpakorn Guitar Duo Chairat Pornamnuay and Pongpat Pongpradit. The Thailand Guitar Orchestra featuring 28 students from the music colleges of Silpakorn and Mahidol universities will also be performing.

Seminars and classical guitar workshops will be given by Japan's Kazuo Sato, who makes some of the most sought-after guitars in the world, South Korea's Kim Hee Hong, whose Alma guitars are the first to use Nomex technology, and Thai guitar makers Wiroon Songbudit, Panseng Chantaragkul, Rungson Termpittayavej Pawak Pomnak Narongsak Wisetnat.

 The hall will be lined with booths showcasing instruments and equipment.

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Bring your instrument

>> Guitar master classes will be given by Grigory Novikov (Saturday, 9 to 11am), Gabriel Bianco (Saturday, 11am to 1pm) and Ruben Abel (Sunday, 11am to 1pm). Each costs Bt2,000.

>> Tickets for the guitar-making seminars tomorrow and Friday are Bt200 apiece.

>> A ticket for all nine concerts on Saturday and Sunday costs Bt1,500, Bt2,500 (VIP), or Bt500 for students.

>> For more information visit www.ThailandGuitarFestival.com.