As the world eagerly anticipates the arrival of 2024, Bangkok is set to host an extraordinary New Year’s Eve celebration that promises to captivate locals and tourists alike. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced the ‘Amazing Thailand Countdown 2024 Vijit Arun,’ a majestic event set to take place at Nagaraphirom Park, a scenic location opposite the iconic Wat Arun.
TAT Deputy Governor of Tourism Products and Business, Mr. Apichai Chatchalermkit, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming celebration. “Bangkok is known globally as a premier destination to celebrate the New Year. The ‘Amazing Thailand Countdown 2024 Vijit Arun’ is designed to amplify this image, offering a majestic atmosphere at Wat Arun. We invite everyone to join in experiencing the breathtaking sunsets of 2023’s final days and the electrifying lead-up to the New Year Countdown,” he said.
Scheduled from 6:00 PM on December 31, 2023, to 12:30 AM on January 1, 2024, the event is poised to dazzle attendees with an array of cultural and musical performances. Highlights include the Khon masked dance drama, the Joe Louis Thai Puppet Show, and symphonic performances by the Chao Phraya Symphony Orchestra. Adding to the allure, a floating stage set against the majestic Temple of Dawn backdrop, with terrace seating by the river, will offer an unforgettable experience.
The event’s climax is set for five minutes before midnight, leading up to a spectacular countdown ceremony. At the stroke of midnight, a series of nine acts of 7-minute countdown fireworks displays will illuminate the sky above the Chao Phraya River, symbolizing the evolution of Thailand and its tourism industry. The night will be enlivened by the audience singing along to popular Happy New Year songs, accompanied by the Chao Phraya Symphony Orchestra.
This Countdown celebration marks the culmination of the month-long Vijit Chao Phraya extravagant light event and the Thailand Winter Festival. These events, announced by the Thai government, aim to promote Thai soft powers and elevate the country’s events and festivals to a global scale. The festivities are a feast for the eyes and a boon for local business entrepreneurs and establishments.
In tandem with the Bangkok celebration, TAT also co-hosts the Korat Winter Festival and Countdown 2024 from December 29-31, 2023, at the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Hall. This event will feature a unique New Year countdown, a commemorative 555th-anniversary fireworks display for Nakhon Ratchasima, and decorative light-ups and concerts.
Moreover, TAT is lending support and promoting New Year celebrations across Thailand, as detailed in the Thailand events calendar for Countdown 2024. The tourism authority anticipates these celebrations, particularly in Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima, to generate an impressive 54 billion Baht in tourism revenue, signalling a promising start to the year for Thailand’s tourism sector.
Written by: Supaporn (Joom) Pholrach
