The festival of New Year's Eve in Thailand is a grand and joyful celebration, where locals and tourists alike come together to welcome the arrival of the coming year. While the traditional Thai New Year, known as Songkran, is celebrated in April, the international New Year's Eve on December 31st is equally regarded with excitement and fervor. Cities are adorned with shimmering lights, homes decorated with festive embellishment, and the air filled with a sense of elation and anticipation.
In the urban areas including the capital city, Bangkok, enormous street parties, fireworks shows, concerts and live performances become the highlight of the celebration. Thousands of people gather at CentralWorld Square in Bangkok to revel in the festivities, which includes multimedia water and light shows, beer gardens, and a stunning countdown to the New Year. The nearby Chao Phraya River also sees a breathtaking spectacle as splendid fireworks illuminate the night sky, providing a perfect backdrop for the river cruises.
However, New Year's Eve in Thailand is not all about extravagant parties and fireworks. Many people, particularly the Buddhists, visit temples for merit-making, to meditate, and to listen to sermons as they believe it brings good luck for the upcoming year. Temples such as Wat Arun in Bangkok hold a special midnight prayer and also a beautiful candle lighting ceremony, known as 'wian tian', where people walk with lit candles, flowers and incense sticks in a clockwise direction around the temple. Thus, whether for its festive frenzy or spiritual serenity, New Year’s Eve in Thailand provides a unique blend of celebration that welcomes everyone.