(25 Jan 1997) English/Nat

Hollywood came to Bangkok Friday when some of the best-known screen superstars launched the latest in a chain of theme restaurants in the Thai capital.

Thousands of fans packed the area to catch a glimpse of the big screen heros - including Bruce Willis and Sylvestor Stallone - at the grand opening of Planet Hollywood, the 45th such outlet across the world.

Hollywood tough-guy Bruce Willis gave a preview of what to expect with a rehearsal on stage Friday afternoon.

But the crowd of thousands of fans had to wait for more than three hours before the other Hollywood stars arrived.

Among the stars to walk down the carpet was actor Wesley Snipes.

Known for his action-man roles, Snipes admitted he enjoyed Thai boxing but only as a spectator.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Of course I've never actually done any Thai boxing but I love it. I saw a couple of fights on television today and it was great. A lot of discipline, I like that."
"Do you know the champion of Thai boxing?"
"Yeah I met him today, nice guy, I don't know his name, I couldn't pronounce it even if I did."
"Perform some of the Thai boxing."
"No, no, no."
SUPER CAPTION: Wesley Snipes, actor

American-born Michael Wong - a heart-throb in Hong Kong - was also there to take part in the opening of the restaurant.

Martial art actor Jean Claude Van Damme said being there brought back memories of his marriage.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I was married in Thailand, to her."
SUPER CAPTION: Jean Claude Van Damme, actor

Asian stunt man Jackie Chan smiled and waved to the crowd as he joined the other stars down the legendary red carpet.

But the night belonged to Bruce Willis, who thrilled cheering fans by throwing T-shirts into the crowd.

The actor came with his rock-and-blues band, the Accelerators.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I saw you singing on stage, do you want to become a singer?"
"Well some day I hope to be able to be able to sing well to really be qualified as a singer."
"Some people say that you've put on a lot of weight, what do you say?"
"Put on a lot of weight? What do you think?"
SUPER CAPTION: Bruce Willis, actor

Willis' partner Sylvestor Stallone was also there, stopping to shake hands and chat with fans.

And accompanying the superstars was supermodel Cindy Crawford, as much the centre of attention as her famous friends.

The stars came to Thailand after the opening of the 44th Planet Hollywood restaurant in Singapore on Thursday.

They will fly back to United States after their last leg in Bangkok.

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