New Year in Bangkok...

[David_Loves_Ubonwan]

Can anyone suggest the best place to see in the New Year in Bangkok? We thought we were going to be in Buri Ram for the New Year but อุบลวรรณ went to book our railway tickets this morning and we can't get a train to Buri Ram until the evening of January 1st.

So we are two adults and probably a 10 year old child looking to see in the New Year in Bangkok. We will be based in Banglamphu.

David

[Stephen Cleary]

If i were you David i would stay put in the Banglumphu area/Khao Sarn Road. Big party scene on Khao Sarn Road to bring in the countdown!

Most popular place is the 'World Trade Center' (has a new name now but I cant remember what!). I went there about three years back for the countdown but it was just murder trying to get back home after! Had to hang around til about 2:30 in the morning before i finally managed to get a taxi.

A couple of the hotels along the Chao Praya river have excellent firework shows, pretty awesome. Good for a ten-year old. I also think they put on special boat rides to go see the firework shows but sorry, i dont know any detail. If your inrested check out the Bkk Post.

[David_Loves_Ubonwan]

Thanks Steve.

Never been to Khao Sarn Road yet, we tend to always got to Big C or Lotus shoping malls. Good excuse to check it out as we stay in a hotel not far off on Banglamphu Bridge.

Our second choice of hotel in Bangkok is actually over the road from World Trade Centre (Bangkok City Inn) but wouldn't choose to stay there again as breakfast is served on a floor not accessible by the elevator and the bathroom is too small to turn wheelchair around in and can't close bathroom door once wheelchair is inside.

David

[Hoya Salamui]

Tourism Authority of Thailand organizes the 2005 Thailand’s Countdown at the night of 31 December, 2005 to 1 January, 2006. Varieties are the common theme for New Year Countdown celebrations throughout the Kingdom. Every place in Thailand the tourists can joy the celebration of the festival for sending off the past year and greeting the New Year with Thai local cultural style.

This year the festival is in a concept of “Happy New year…Happiness on Earth”, there are 6 locations in Thailand where are holding the countdown celebration. The traveler will be excited with colorful, sounds and a lot of amazing performances.

Bangkok Countdown 2006

Date: December 31, 2005– January 1, 2006

Bangkok Destination

• Countdown 2006 @ Ratchaprasong
• The National Stadium
• Sanam Luang
• Rama VIII Bridge

The New Year Countdown celebrations in various corners of the ‘City of Angels’ the activities is world music, folk and fireworks displays.

Festive celebrations at the Ratchaprasong Countdown and the National Stadium take on a contemporary note, while at the timeless historical site of Sanam Luang and the majestic Rama VIII Bridge, Thai touch prevails.

Bangkok Countdown 2006 @ Ratchaprasong

These areas celebrate at Central World Plaza, Ratchaprasong intersection (opposite the Erawan Shrine) on December 1, 2005 to January 6, 2006. The especially at Ratchaprasong area is “festive Season Lucky Draw”, when your purchases by the Visa credit card and try your luck. Spend 500 Baht more on a single sale slip on December 31, 2005 you’re entitled to a chance to win a grand prize.

Contact information:

Ratchaprasong Countdown, Bangkok
Tel: +66 (0) 2656 1279, (0) 2656 1929

Countdown to Thailand’s First Sunrise 2006

Date: December 31, 2005– January 1, 2006
Place: Pha Taem National Park, Khong Chiam district,
Ubon Ratchathani province

The New Year Countdown at Pha Taem National Park in Ubon Ratchathani province, east of Thailand. Ubon Ratchathni is the first province in the kingdom to greet the sunrise. The activities of tourists are watching the last sunset of this year in the cruise along the Melong River and at night drive your car to the top of Pha Taem cliff where the evening’s feast features the traditional I-san style set dinner known as Palaeng. The tourists will be entertained with folk music, cultural performances and wait for the time to countdown and greet Thailand’s first sunrise.

Contact information:

TAT Northeastern Office: Region 1
Tel: +66 (0) 4421 3666, (0) 4421 3030

Pattaya Countdown 2006

Date: December 31, 2005– January 1, 2006
Place: At the Pattaya City Pier, Chon Buri

Pattaya’s countdown party’s highlights are feature performances by some of Thailand’s popular bands, pop artists and celebrity performers. The line-up includes winners of the ‘Pattaya Best of Music 2005’ competition and artists from RS Promotions including Pink, The Mazz, The Noize, The Rock Stars, Kaleidoscope and the Sun.

Contact information:

TAT Central Region: Office 3
Tel: +66 (0) 3842 7667, (0) 3842 8750

Chiang MAi Countdown 2006

Date: December 31, 2005– January 1, 2006
Place: At the Chiang Mai Municipality Stadium, Chiang Mai
Time: 06.00 p.m. to 1.00 a.m.

Countdown with VIPs

Join His Excellency Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and tennis celebrities Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams and Tamarine Tanasugarn on the New Year vigil and countdown. Artists from Channel 7 and GMM Grammy, especially northern artists, provide entertainment throughout the evening.

Contact information:

TAT Northern Office: Region 1
Tel: +66 (0) 5324 8604, (0) 5324 8607, (0) 5324 1466
Website: www.tat.or.th/festival

I-San Countdown 2006 Happiness on Earth

Date: December 31, 2005– January 1, 2006
Place: At Boong Ta Lua Park, Nakhon Ratchasima
Time: 06.00 p.m. to 1.00 a.m.

Contact information:

TAT Northeastern Office: Region 1
Tel: +66 (0) 4421 3666, (0) 4421 3030

Happy New Year Thai-Laos two Countries Countdown 2006

Date: December 31, 2005– January 1, 2006
Place: Along the Mekong River and at the Indochina Market in Mukdahan

Celebrate a ‘Second Honeymoon’; camp out under the stars at Phu Pha Thoep on 30 December. Rock Art of Phu Pha Thoep is the natural sandstone sculptures which are chiseled and shaped by the erosive forces of sun, wind and water over the millennia. The next day, join the ‘Happiness Tour’ featuring a tour of three neighboring countries in just one day and exciting with fireworks display.

Contact information:

TAT Northeastern Office Region 4 (Nakhon Phanom)
Tel: +66 (0) 4251 3490-1
Fax: +66 (0) 4251 3492

Phuket Festival Countdown 2006

Date: December 31, 2005– January 1, 2006
Place: At Lan Phoo Ja, Central Festival Phuket, Phuket
Time: 06.00 p.m. to 1.00 a.m.

New Year festivities include an International Food Festival, Gift Festival, Music Festival and fireworks

Contact information:

TAT Southern Office: Region 4
Tel: +66 (0) 7621 1036, (0) 7621 2213

Hat Yai Night Paradise and Countdown 2006

Date: December 31, 2005– January 1, 2006
Place: Along Sanehanusorn Road and other main streets in the city centre

The New Year celebration and Countdown in Hat Yai includes a ‘Miss Night Paradise and Countdown 2006’ beauty contest, concerts and stage performances. Guest artists from Malaysia and Singapore join their Thai counterparts. Rise and shine early the next morning to enjoy the sunrise, participate in merit-making activities or run in a mini-marathon.

Contact information:

TAT Southern Office: Region 1
Tel: +66 (0) 7423 1055, (0) 7423 8518, (0) 7424 3747