Just as the crisis in Ukraine forced artists to cancel their shows for security concerns this summer, Taylor Swift has been forced to do the same for a scheduled Thailand show. The country is engulfed in another political crisis and its military recently declared a coup, taking over the government.
In a tweet to her fans overnight, the country superstar wrote, “I'm sending my love to the fans in Thailand. I'm so sad about the concert being canceled.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, this would have been Swift’s first performance in the country. The event was organized by BEC-Tero Entertainment and would have taken place in Bangkok on June 9.
“This has been a difficult decision for all parties,” BEC-Tero said in a statement. The company noted that the “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” singer has expressed “regret and sincere apologies to the fans in Thailand.”
Protesters in Thailand have stood against the government, but the military stepped in an declared a coup last week. General Prayuth Chan-ocha is now acting prime minister.
Between Thailand’s last coup and the latest, the country has been a major tour stop for international superstars when they do world tours. Justin Bieber performed in Bangkok last year and Avril Lavigne was just there in February. Eric Clapton had a gig scheduled that same month, but cancelled.
Swift’s Asia tour still includes dates in China, Indonesia and the Philippines.
I'm sending my love to the fans in Thailand. I'm so sad about the concert being canceled.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) May 27, 2014
image courtesy of Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com