New Year's Eve Celebration in Bangkok

With its teeming nightlife and party lifestyle, Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is the ideal place to be while ushering in yet another New Year. The wide variety of entertainment hubs will ensure that you have an amazing experience, taking New Year's Eve celebrations to amazing heights. While the entire capital city throbs with music and enjoyment, the most happening place and its main attraction is its CentralWorld shopping plaza. This place ranks highly among the world's busiest shopping locations and is the host to Bangkok's most well known countdown to the New Year.

Those that have not yet experienced New Year's celebrations in Thailand, Bangkok especially, will be astounded by the sheer scale of the entertainment. Thailand and its people seem to be fascinated with New Years since they have three new year celebrations a year, celebrating the Western New Year on the intervening night of 31 December and 1st January, the Chinese New Year in February and, of course, the Thai New Year in April. This probably qualifies them to be the best exponents of the manner in which a new year should be celebrated. Here are some tips and pointers that can help your New Year's experience in Bangkok:

Accommodation and schedule for the night

Bangkok is home to a large variety of hotels, suited to all budgets ranging from the luxury of five star hotels to low-cost, homely accommodation. Choose a hotel that best suits your status, tastes and fits well into your budget from among the range available in the section of the city you plan to be in. This should not be a difficult task in a city rich in diverse accommodation options. An advance booking is recommended considering the huge demand for accommodation during this peak season.

Now that your accommodation is booked, you can select the party you would like to attend. The celebrations in various parts of the city come with their own particular character and are attended by a different class of party-goers. Each party is unique in its own way but you can be sure that wherever you go and whichever party you are at, you will carry fond memories of the celebrations under the firework-lit Bangkok night skies, which go on until early morning. The Bangkok skyline takes on a fascinating fairy tale like appearance with constant partying and fun on the ground. With the break of the dawn of the New Year, the Thai people flock to temples to pray for a New Year filled with happiness and prosperity.

Countdown at CentralWorld Plaza and Siam Paragon

The largest countdown event happens at the CentralWorld Plaza, the largest shopping mall in south-east Asia and is one of the four venues covered by the Thai National TV every year on New Year's Eve. The mall is conveniently located near Chidlom sky train station (BTS Chidlom station) so that you avoid walking long distances to enjoy your New Year's Eve. The mood at the mall is electric with its concerts, food stalls and beer gardens contributing to the upbeat mood.

Anyone planning to go there must set out at least a couple of hours early to avoid the traffic snarls and ensure you enjoy every moment, right from the start. The Ratchaprasong intersection is closed with no car traffic allowed after 18.00 hours. CentralWorld is an ideal place to ring in the new year with friends and family, enjoying the live performances on stage by famous local artists as well as the spectacular sound and light displays. The lucky draws and the large-screen projections of the New Year countdown across the world are added attractions. 

If you would prefer a slightly less crowded venue, Siam Paragon, which is not far from CentralWorld is may be considered. This mall, though large is not quite as huge as the CentralWorld and hosts its own New Year's celebrations replete with a countdown, entertainment and colorful decorative lights. The place is well connected through the Siam Square skytrain. The crowd is smaller than at the CentralWorld but every bit as enthusiastic with live bands and fireworks making the event memorable.

Other Interesting Countdown Locations in Bangkok

In the case you prefer a quieter, more intimate and private function, the hotel restaurants on the riverside would be a better choice for your romantic New Year's Eve. You could also opt for one of the classy rooftop hotels. The rooftop venues offer not only a dinner fit for a connoisseur but a spectacular view of the fireworks that light the mid-night sky.

Luxury venues
Most of the starred luxury hotels in Bangkok offer set multi-course dinners for the New Year's Eve and include the traditional countdown and entertainment and may also throw in free drinks. In all ways it makes for an extravagant New Year celebration. However, you need to know that these types of celebrations can be priced as much as four times higher than on other days of the year.

You can choose from any of the famous luxury hotels in Bangkok like Plaza Athenee, Intercontinental , lebua, Centara Grand and Dusit. They normally have some spare place but it is still best to call and make a booking.

Fireworks on the River
The midnight fireworks experienced from any location along the Chao Phraya river is a sight to behold. The display of fireworks is not organized by any municipal authority but consists of individual displays managed by private hotels, combining to form one huge show. Besides the celebrations, set dinners are available which you can confirm while making a booking.
Asiatique The River Front is an outdoor mall near the river and arranges live entertainment with DJs pumping out great music and a grand fireworks display, making it a great place to celebrate the new year. The festivities commence at 6.00 pm. From here you can also view the fireworks fired from other venues which illuminate the sky along the river.

Beer bars and nightclubs
These venues attract a younger crowd who prefer wild partying with free flowing drinks right till the early morning. You can head to Thonglor, Ekemai, Khao San Road, RCA, Sukhumvit Road or Silom Soi 4 to enjoy at these nightclubs and beer bars. Thonglor also has some outdoor hip and chic bars which host parties of higher class.

In the case you would like to enjoy new year celebration outside Bangkok, try having a look at Pattaya Countdown.