Countdown celebrations take shape

BANGKOK, 20 December 2011: Tourism Authority of Thailand released details of New Year countdown events in 17 provinces and six venues in Bangkok, hoping the event will help generate over Bt40 billion in revenue.

But its efforts were stymied by negative reports from the Police Department that claimed 10 spots, including shopping malls, in the capital were listed on a security alert.

Fortunately, for TAT its promotions focus on nation-wide celebrations rather than just the capital as most provinces are hosting elaborate countdown parties.

TAT will spend over Bt20 million promoting celebrations in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Hat Yai and Phuket.

In Bangkok alone, there are six main venues for countdown events with the biggest scheduled for CentralWorld in the heart of the city. Security has been beefed up with bomb squads conducting searches and checking the entire area around CentralWorld to reduce risks outlined in Police announcements.

An estimated 5 million people should attend the countdown festival, nationwide, but 4 million of them will be Thai tourists and only 600,000 foreigners are expected to be in the country for the celebrations and mainly at up country destinations.

Pattaya and Phuket are the most popular venues and were not identified as having any security issues in the Police alert.

Visits to Bangkok are down in December in the aftermath of flooding that inundated half the capital. While the city is dry now, bookings have been washed out or postponed and it is unlikely that travel bookings will pick up until early January.

For more countdown information see http://www.amazingcountdown.com/index.php.

New Year Celebration and Countdown Venues in Bangkok:

Other venues: