The celebrations to greet the New Year in Thailand are
always full of fun activities, including concerts, stage performances,
fireworks displays, and a mass countdown to welcome in the New Year.
Apart from the celebrations and countdown, visitors can
also welcome the New Year in a traditional Thai way by visiting a temple. The
Thais believe that paying homage to the Buddha image ensures a good start to a
New Year and favourable prospects of happiness and good luck.
The celebrations to greet the New Year take place
nationwide and visitors can join the locals in welcoming the New Year in major
cities such as:
Bangkok: Bangkok
is one of the liveliest cities in Thailand to celebrate the New Year. The
countdown event takes place in every corner of Bangkok but the major event
venue is the Ratchaprasong Intersection in the main shopping and business
district. A variety of stage performances by leading Thai artists followed by a
magnificent fireworks display and the joyful sound of the countdown make a good
start to the New Year.
Chiang Rai: Celebrate
the New Year in Lanna style by releasing lanterns to the sky, as well as
watching light and sound performances, cultural shows, and a spectacular fireworks
display at the Chaloem Phrakiat clock tower in Chiang Rai city center.
Prachuap Khiri Khan: The locals and tourists at Hua Hin join hands in
celebrating the New Year with live performances of various kinds of music; such
as, jazz, bossa nova, and easy listening before the countdown to the New Year.
Samut Songkhram: Famous
as the home of Suntharaphon, the well-known Thai folk band, Samut Songkhram
organises New Year celebrations at the Amphawa Floating Market featuring their
songs. Visitors can enjoy joining in the songs and dances, as well as singing
"Sawasdee Pi Mai" (Happy New Year) with the locals.
Ubon Ratchathani: Celebrate
the New Year in Amphoe Khong Chiam and enjoy watching the lantern displays and
light processions along the Mekong River, as well as other cultural
performances; such as, the Bai Si Ritual, a traditional ceremony of the
northeastern region. The highlight of the celebrations at Ubon Ratchathani is
the release of floating lanterns and greetings to the first sunrise of the New
Year at Pha Chana Dai, the most easterly point in Thailand.
In a related development, Bangkok is listed as one of the 20 best venues for New Year's
Eve celebrations. Quoted from the Huffington
Post, "From the glitzy Thonglor district to the
backpacker-haven of Khao San Road, every bar and nightclub in Bangkok will be
heaving with revelers on December 31st, as the city's Thai and international
populations come together to celebrate the New Year. The biggest event of the
night is in CentralWorld Square, where crowds of several hundred thousand will
be gathered for a spectacular light show and live concert. As well as the
dramatic countdown to midnight, they'll be video screens projecting
celebrations from around the world, a series of fireworks displays set off
along the riverside and lively beer gardens lining the streets."
(thailand.prd.go.th)