New Year in Thailand: 5 reasons to live this unique experience

Every year, Thailand celebrates the arrival of a new year in a spectacular way. The lively beach parties, energetic nightlife and multiple fireworks displays that animate the country are simply magical! Thailand is a great destination for an exciting and memorable experience during this period of celebrations.

This short article tells you why you should visit the country for New Year's Eve, see the good deals to do in Thailand and explore the most popular festivities the country has to offer.

Summary hide

Celebrate on a beautiful beach

Countdown at CentralWorld

Fireworks from the rooftops of Bangkok

Countdown on the Chao Phraya River

Chiang Mai: in the heart of the Lanna kingdom

Conclusion

Celebrate on a beautiful beach

If you're looking for great things to do in Thailand, there's nothing better than spending New Year's Eve on a beautiful white sand beach. Thai beaches are typically characterized by clear, calm seas, soft sand, and great weather: temperatures usually stay around 20-30℃ in December and January.

Many Thai beaches host exciting parties. Patong Beach in Phuket is a well-known party destination, with music, events and entertainment organized. People bring fireworks and drinks to the beach, creating an electrifying atmosphere perfect for a big celebration!

Thailand's beaches are often lively with "fire shows", with added bonus fireworks.

The beautiful beach of Ao Suan Yai where we celebrated New Year in Ko Mak.

Bangla Road

Bangla Road in Phuket is one of Thailand's most sultry nightlife destinations. Located right in the seaside town of Patong, Bangla Road comes alive even more than usual on New Year's Eve. Every night, the road is closed to traffic and becomes a hub for partygoers, with nightclubs, bars.

Bangla Road is an unforgettable experience: all the nightclubs and bars are packed. Illuzion Phuket is one of the most popular nightclubs on Bangla Road, you might come across famous DJs like Steve Aoki. It is also one of the biggest clubs in Phuket, making it a trendy place for parties.

Countdown at CentralWorld

If you want to celebrate with a massive countdown, surrounded by a festive crowd, the CentralWorld Countdown is for you.

CentralWorld is one of Thailand's largest shopping malls, located in a bustling area of Bangkok. During the countdown, vendors offer light-up accessories, such as sparkling headbands. There is also a large stage with performers, entertainment and everything to get the party started.

If you visit CentralWorld on New Year's Eve, you'll find it decked out in bright lights and decorations. It's the perfect place to take photos with your family and friends and enjoy the exciting spirit of the holiday.

On the other hand, the place being popular, beware of the large crowd which makes access difficult, so allow some time to get there and sit down and likewise after the fireworks, the metro is then crowded so patience will be required.

Fireworks from the rooftops of Bangkok

Like everywhere else in the world, fireworks are one of the main ways to celebrate New Year in Thailand. If you are looking for the perfect place to watch the big fireworks, there is no better place than the Bangkok rooftop restaurants and bars.

The view from Lebua Tower at the Sky Bar.

Many of Bangkok’s tall buildings allow people to countdown to midnight on their rooftops. Not only do these rooftops offer stunning views of the city, but they also offer unique events for a night you’ll never forget: many rooftop venues host extravagant dinners with champagne and entertainment.

Le Sky Bar from the Lebua tower, the Vertigo or Three Sixty are among the most famous rooftops in Bangkok for celebrations. You also have the Red Sky which is a good option since it is located at the top of…. CentralWorld! I must also mention theEye Bangkok, located at the top of the capital's tallest tower, the Mahanakhon Tower.

A softer option for the wallet but just as interesting is the restaurant of the River View Residence, located in the heart of Talat Noi, you will have a breathtaking view of the river and in particular the Icon Siam, from where the most important fireworks display in the city is launched.

The view from the restaurant at River View Residence.
Obvious info: book your places as early as possible: these rooftop obviously fill up quickly.

Countdown on the Chao Phraya River

If you're in Bangkok, you'll have plenty of options for a riverside countdown. One of the most popular spots is at the outdoor shopping mall The Asian. This shopping mall built on former dockland sits next to the Chao Phraya River, offering a great view of the fireworks once the clock strikes midnight.

This is where the New Year's Eve televised broadcast takes place, and is therefore one of the largest countdowns and fireworks displays in the country. The countdown to the Chao Phraya River can be admired from almost any location nearby, but a great place to watch this is from the Taksin Bridge, located at the end of Sathorn Avenue, which you can reach by using the subway at Saphan Taksin stop.

View of the Icon Siam on the banks of the Chao Phraya.

On one side you will have a view of The Asian, and on the other, on the Icon Siam. And let's talk about it, I will end this chapter by mentioning the imposing shopping center Icon Siam, which has become one of the symbols of Bangkok's extravagance, but which has established itself as a true icon of the city, with particularly important festive events.

The prime location of this countdown allows you to enjoy a view of the river with what is considered today the main fireworks display in Bangkok in terms of scale.

Chiang Mai: in the heart of the Lanna kingdom

If you are at Chiang Mai, you can't miss going to Tha Phae Gate. This landmark becomes the ultimate celebration zone, transforming into a lively square with live music, food stalls and fireworks. There is also a countdown to midnight and plenty of opportunities to create unforgettable memories!
Tha Phae Gate offers an exciting party atmosphere, but with a bit more restraint and not as energetic as other venues in this article. This is the place to be if you want a fun but more laid-back experience.

Conclusion

These few elements should reassure you about Thailand's ability to celebrate the New Year with dignity: between its magnificent landscapes, its lively evenings and the many vibrant countdowns make it an ideal destination.

No matter what type of party you are looking for or where you are in Thailand, you are sure to find something that fits your ideal of fun. If you have been thinking about traveling to celebrate New Year, now is the time to enjoy all the festivities Thailand has to offer!

Header photo: Wat arun and cruise ship at night during new year celebration, Bangkok city, Thailand. Photo: Southtownboy Studio/Shutterstock