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Written by Aun
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Thailand’s New Year Countdown celebrations
Thais know how to party. Some might say at the
drop of a hat. A party brings out the best in national identity – a
broad genuine Thai smile.
So should we be surprised that Thailand is a
favoured venue to celebrate New Yearω
This is the land of smiles and “sanook”. Whether the countdown is in
Bangkok, Phuket or a far northern destination, the celebrations will
carry the hallmarks of fun and genuine hospitality that make the
country such a rewarding destination to visit.Of course, Bangkok has a
mission to fulfill. It aspires to make its 2008 New Year Countdown a
mega-celebration, on par with the biggest and brightest in Asia
Pacific.The spotlight is on the “Hands Bangkok Countdown”, where more
than 200,000 New Year party goers will mingle in the downtown
CentralWorld Square. Festivities begin 21 December and culminate in the
countdown on New Year’s Eve extending through New Year’s Day.Concerts
and live on-stage performances, the informal atmosphere of beer gardens
and light and sound shows support a theme of peace and joining hands
across a multitude of cultures and races.
According to the organisers, joining hands will
bring people together -- lovers, friends and families -- to celebrate
the hopes and destiny of a New Year.A gigantic screen will allow party
goers to view the countdown celebrations in countries in the same time
zone, while a giant 21 metre-high Greeting Ball Tower, with a
three-metre diameter LCD orb-screen will create bursts of stunning
display of light, colour, sound and movement at minute intervals over
the party scene, until the countdown begins and the fireworks light up
the sky.
There are two other official locations for New Year
celebrations.The National Stadium, just 2 km from CentralWorld Square
on the city’s Skytrain route, will be packed to capacity as residents
and tourists enjoy an evening of musical concerts and variety show
performances organised by GMM Grammy Records and Channel 9. TV stars
will turn out to entertain the crowd, while a huge screen will show
nation-wide countdown celebrations as the minutes tick by.
A more traditional Thai celebration will underscore activities
at the city’s Sanam Luang, with the famed temple roofs and spires in
the Grand Palace courtyards providing the backdrop. Crowds will gather
on the historic parade ground, facing Thammasat University, to enjoy
classical dance performances, folk songs from the various provinces and
musical concerts for an older generation of city residents.As the
countdown celebrations get underway, firework displays along the banks
of the nearby Chao Phraya River will illuminate the sky.New Year
celebrations throughout the country will be on a scale never seen
before as the nation, in gratitude and happiness, celebrates the 80th
birthday of His Majesty the King.
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