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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023551

Pattaya packing 3-day firework show into single countdown explosion

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022

Pattaya has relit the fuse for New Year’s Eve celebrations by announcing the city’s countdown fireworks display will be held after all on December 31.

On Wednesday the resort city reversed its earlier decision to call off the New Year fireworks display – one of the country’s largest – amid nationwide prayers for the recovery of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati.

Firework displays were originally scheduled for December 29-31, along with countdown concerts and fairs throughout the three days at Bali Hai Pier in Bang Lamung district.

The city’s latest announcement said the fireworks will be packed into one explosive countdown event, while the concerts and fair will still be held for three days.

The concert line-up includes Zani, Pop Pongkool, The Toys, Tilly Birds, Palmy, Bowkylion, Lipta, PP & Billkin, Body Slam, Wonderfram and Klear.

All routes leading to Bali Hai Pier will be closed to traffic from 3pm to 2am on Thursday to Saturday, with visitors advised to visit the fair on foot.

Pattaya’s backpedalled on the firework show after the Interior Ministry declared on Monday that government and private sectors can still organise year-end celebrations under public safety and Covid-19 rules.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023532

Eight ‘must-see’ flower gardens in Chiang Mai’s Mae Rim district

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

For those seeking to enjoy and pose for photos in beautiful fields with a rich range of flowers in bright shades of colours during the New Year holidays, a trip to Mae Rim district in the northern province of Chiang Mai is a must.

The Travel Desk of The Nation has selected eight flower gardens in Mae Rim that our readers could consider visiting to enjoy the natural splendour and take colourful photos.

They are:

● I Love Flower Farm 

This flower farm has an English name and it features hydrangea in purple, white and light blue. This year, the farm has organised photo props under the theme “Find me in I Love Flower Farm”. The props include colourful balloons.

The farm has been open to tourists since last month. It will stay open until January 15.

● Kuv Niam Hydenyia 

This flower field is popular among tourists. It features a hydrangea field over three rai (0.48 hectares), surrounded by mountains and a sea of mist in the morning. It is about a 40-miniute drive from Chiang Mai downtown and it provides shuttle bus services for tourists from downtown.

● Sixflowers Garden

This garden features long strips of celosia flowers in bright colours of yellow, red, orange, pink, green and purple. It is located in the middle of a valley in Mae Rim. Tourists can enjoy taking selfies amid cool mountain breeze. Entrance tickets can be used for free drinks from a café. The garden is open until the end of January.

● Yingyong Flower Garden

This garden is located in the Mon Jam area in Mae Rim. The garden features red salvia flowers as well as sections of purple and white salvia flowers. Since it is located on a mountaintop, tourists can enjoy taking photos of colourful flowers against the backdrop of clouds of mist.

● Suan Lung Ron

This garden features multi-coloured Margarette and celosia and celosia plumosa flowers. The garden has been open since October. Tourists like to visit the garden to enjoy the sunset and delicious meals.

● Surachai Farm Suan Chiang Mai

This garden features blooming yellow sunflowers as well as rainbow flowers and white cutter flowers. The garden also allows tourists to borrow props, such as flower crowns, umbrellas, and hats for photo ops.

● Pa Nok Iang Flower Garden

This garden features mainly sunflowers on a 40-rai plot, which is very large. Entrance is free for children under five years old. The garden also has purple Margarette flowers and provides a lot of props for tourists to use for taking photos, including hats and locally-crafted handmade bags.

● Rai Klin Kesorn

This garden features several shades of purple Margarette flowers on a large field. The owner has also built platforms for tourists to move between flower fields. The garden also has white cutter flowers as well as red and yellow celosia for taking photos.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023530

Khon Kaen Soft Power Countdown 2023 kicks off December 29

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

Khon Kaen province invites tourists to visit the “Soft Power Countdown 2023” event from Thursday to Sunday, featuring merit-making ceremony on New Year’s Day for luck and prosperity, as well as selling of hand-woven fabrics and OTOP products.

Mayor Theerasak Theekhayuphan held a press conference on Wednesday before the launch of year-end festivities that are a collaboration among the province, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Khon Kaen Chamber of Commerce, and the Khon Kaen Tourism Operator Association.

The event that will kick off tomorrow at Heun Boran Pavilion, a historical landmark in front of the city hall in Muang district, features booths selling iconic hand-woven fabrics, local foods and desserts, as well as handcrafted souvenirs. Visitors will also enjoy stage performances of traditional dance, concerts, and contests of traditional costumes.

The countdown event on the night of December 31 features a tunnel that sprinkles holy water on visitors as they walk under it, signifying the moving forward toward the next year with prosperity.

On January 1, the province will hold a merit-making ceremony in front of the city hall where all visitors are welcome to give morning alms to Buddhist monks from 6.30 am onward. 

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023527

Unique coffee brew is drawing tourists to a mountain top in Tak province

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

The Tak provincial office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand is encouraging more tourists to visit Doi Muser mountaintop to sample the unique Arabica coffee grown there.

The coffee beans harvested on the mountain have a unique taste and aroma, and they have transformed the area into a tourism destination, said Thamolwan Charoenwongpisit, director of the tourism agency’s office in the province.

The coffee beans are in the process of being registered as a geographical indication product of Doi Muse, Thamolwan added.

On Tuesday, she visited Doi Muser mountain to promote the coffee beans.

Doi Muser is located on Highway No 1099 (Omkok-Mae Tuen road) in Tambon Dan Mae Lamoh, Mae Sot district. Its peak is about 1,400 metres above sea level.

Besides coffee, the mountain is well-known for its hill tribe villages and cabbage plantations.

Thamolwan said the mountain’s coffee beans are drawing an increasing number of tourists and generating more income for local residents.

Tak’s tourism industry is bustling as it prepares for the New Year holidays, which are expected to draw plenty of tourists to the mountain, Thi Lo Su Waterfall in the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, Thamolwan said.

At 250 meters in height and 450 metres in width, Thi Lo Su Waterfall is the widest and highest waterfall in Thailand. It flows down from Huai Klotho into Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary.

Thamolwan said the province’s Rim Moei Market, a large border market opposite Myanmar, is also a popular destination for tourists.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023501

Iconsiam’s New Year extravaganza puts Bangkok high on CNN list

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2022

Iconsiam’s “Amazing Thailand Countdown” makes Bangkok one of the top 10 places in the world to welcome 2023, according to CNN.

CNN Travel recently published its list of 10 great places to ring in the New Year, and Bangkok made the roster with other favourites like Sydney, Taipei, Dubai, Cape Town, Rome, London, Rio de Janeiro, New York, and Las Vegas.

Describing the Bangkok countdown, CNN said: “Catch an amazing fireworks show at Iconsiam, a major shopping and entertainment destination along the Chao Phraya River.

“You may want to continue the celebration at one of Bangkok’s stunning bars such as Sky Beach Bangkok, the city’s highest bar, or Sirocco, also set high above the bustling streets.

“If the revelry becomes too much, get some calming down time on January 1 at a temple such as Wat Pho, with its reclining Buddha.”

This year’s “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2023” is being hosted by Iconsiam on the night of December 31.

The extravaganza is jointly organised by the riverside shopping mall, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and several private partners including Charoen Pokphand Group and Magnolia Quality Development.

Highlights include eco-friendly fireworks under the concept “Win the World for Thailand” and the world’s first “Hybrid World Countdown” show, as well as an augmented reality (AR) show portraying the story behind each set of fireworks through the ONESIAM mobile application.

Apart from the fireworks, visitors can also enjoy stage performances and concerts. Those who are unable to make it in person can watch the live broadcast on Channel 32HD, Iconsiam’s Facebook page as well as the TrueID application.

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Consumer spending expected to hit 17-year high during New Year period

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023468

Week of celebrations as Bangkok’s Wat Suthat marks 215 years

MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2022

Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworahawihan or the temple of the giant swing is kicking off celebrations on Monday to mark its 215th anniversary.

The celebrations, which run until New Year’s Day, are divided into four zones, namely entertainment, arts, shopping and the Lan Khon Muang zone for concerts and cultural shows.

Wat Suthat Thepwararam is one of Bangkok’s 10 royal temples and its construction was started by King Rama I in 1807 but only completed during the reign of King Rama III in 1847 or 1848. It was initially called the “Wat Maha Sutthawat”.

The key events during the week include:

Monday:

Temple grounds

1pm: Offerings to the founder of the Chakri Dynasty

5.10pm: Muay Thai dance show

8pm: Traditional puppet show

Lan Khon Muang zone

6pm: Contemporary concert

Tuesday:

Temple grounds

3pm: A guided tour explaining the art and architecture of the ancient temple

5.30pm: Traditional music performed using ancient instruments

6.10pm: Official opening ceremony of the celebrations

7.10pm: Khon performance

Lan Khon Muang zone

6pm: Concert by a symphony orchestra

Wednesday

Temple grounds

5.30pm: Concert by a traditional string band

7pm: Musical skit

Lan Khon Muang zone

6pm: Traditional Isaan music

Thursday

Temple grounds

5pm: Performance by a Chinese string band

5.45pm: Traditional “lamtad” musical show by Mae Srinual Khamarj band

6.45pm: Literary stage play

8.15pm: Concert by a Thai traditional-contemporary band

Lan Khon Muang zone

6pm: “Luk thung” or Thai country music

Friday

Temple grounds

5pm: Symphony orchestra

6pm: Pleng Choi musical traditional show

Lan Khon Muang zone

6pm: Traditional “likay” show

Saturday

Temple grounds

4.45pm: Dance shows depicting art and literature

5.30pm: New Year prayers ceremony

January 1

Temple grounds

7.15pm: Khon performance

8.45pm: Concert by traditional-contemporary Thai band

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023465

Giant serpent sheds shimmering skin on Chao Phraya as 2023 beckons

MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2022

A giant interactive Naga serpent is uncoiling above the Chao Phraya River to light up Christmas and New Year.

The Serpenti Necklace Light Structure is dazzling visitors at Bangkok’s Iconsiam River Park after being let loose by luxury brand Bulgari.

Inspired by the Italian jeweller’s iconic Serpenti Necklace, the Naga will be shedding its glittering light skin at the riverside shopping complex until February 2.

The shimmering serpent’s 150,000 LED bulbs will also join firework displays lighting the skies along 2 kilometres of the Chao Phraya River on New Year’s Eve.

The Serpenti Necklace represents the concept of rebirth and is inspired by the beauty and craftsmanship of Roman jewellery, Bulgari explained.

It took nine months and over 150,000 LED lamps to design and build the 18.5-metre-tall “mother” serpent.

Bangkok is the latest stop on its world tour, following shimmering appearances at Bulgari flagship stores in Singapore, Tokyo and other fashion cities.

Viewers can also control the serpent’s light patterns via an app available at Line @BVLGARITH under the campaign slogan “I Believe in Wonder”.

Thai and international celebrities led by actress Davika Hoorne, Friend of the House Bulgari-South Asia Pacific, unveiled the latest addition to Bangkok’s riverside at party on December 22.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023459

Pattaya is world’s second most popular beach on TikTok

MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2022

Pattaya ranks as the second-most popular beach destination in the world on TikTok, British travel operator Destination2 has revealed.

Videos of Pattaya beach have been viewed 128.5 million times on TikTok, behind only Australia’s Bondi Beach with 445.8 million views.

Destination2 said it conducted research on TikTok hashtags after seeing a rise in the number users looking for travel destinations, especially beaches.

Pattaya beach stretches for 2.7 kilometres along the Gulf of Thailand. According to Tripadvisor, it is especially popular with thrill-seekers thanks to activities like parasailing, jet-skiing, and banana boat riding.

Sydney’s Bondi Beach topped the TikTok rankings after three successive years at No 2. Bondi’s kilometre-long strip of sand and sea is world-renowned for its surfing scene.

The third-most popular beach on TikTok is Nha Trang in Vietnam with 64.6 million views. It attracted eyeballs for its scuba diving, crystal-clear waters and proximity to Ho Chi Minh City, just a 35-minute drive away.

Australia has the highest number of beaches in the top 10, with three, followed by Vietnam and the United States with two apiece.

The top 10 most popular beaches on TikTok:
1. Bondi (Australia): 445.8 million views
2. Pattaya (Thailand): 128.5 million
3. Nha Trang (Vietnam): 64.6 million
4. Vũng Tàu (Vietnam): 61.9 million
5. Waikiki (Hawaii, US): 43.7 million
6. JBR (UAE): 30.3 million
7. Kelingking (Indonesia): 30 million
8. Santa Monica (US): 29 million
9. Airlie (Australia): 27.8 million
10. Whitehaven (Australia): 23.5 million

Related stories

• Pattaya cancels New Year fireworks as nation prays for Princess
• South Korean racer drowns at Jet Ski World Cup in Pattaya
• Pattaya seeks solution to homelessness after 10-year-old filmed smoking ganja

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023457

Reduce air tickets, introduce more flights to Phuket, say tourism operators

MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2022

Phuket’s tourism industry has called on the government and airlines to tackle the problem of rising ticket prices and too few flights to the resort city.

Phuket governor Narong Woonciew met tourism operators on Sunday to discuss the problems that could affect the tourism sector in the long term, especially during Chinese New Year and Songkran festivals.

He said the biggest problem was that there are too few flights to meet the surge in demand, especially during festivals and long weekends.

Members of the private sector, namely the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, Phuket Tourist Association, and Thai Hotels Association – Southern Chapter, agreed that airlines should boost flights to Phuket as well as seek supporting measures from the Tourism and Sports Ministry to make the move possible.

Without enough flights to Phuket during the high season, tourists may consider visiting other destinations like Vietnam, Singapore or Bali, a representative of the Phuket Tourist Association said.

Chamber of Commerce president Thanusak Phungdet pointed out that air tickets to Phuket were now more expensive than before the pandemic.

“In 2019, the average return ticket cost between 8,000 and 9,000 baht, but now it’s up to 10,000 to 14,000 baht,” he said. “This is not exclusive to Phuket, as ticket prices to other tourism provinces have also risen by 30-60%.”

Thanusak suggested that if increasing the number of flights is not possible, airlines should use larger aircraft for popular routes to transport more people.

“We need to plan ahead for the upcoming holidays and festivals next year, as they will be crucial periods to help the tourism industry get back on its feet,” Thanusak said.

According to the Tourism and Sports Ministry, Phuket welcomed the highest number of foreign tourists at 2.32 million from January to October this year, and also generated the most revenue at 127.9 billion baht.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023456

Prayut green-lights New Year celebrations amid prayers for Princess

MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2022

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has reiterated that the government will not cancel New Year festivities, as the country prays for the recovery of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati.

Prayut told reporters on Monday that the business sector was free to go ahead with New Year countdowns and other events but asked them to proceed with “maximum caution”.

The PM was speaking after Bangkok’s Khao San Road scrapped its New Year’s countdown and Pattaya cancelled its December 29-31 fireworks display. Government and court offices have also called off New Year celebrations, while His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch has instructed Thai temples at home and abroad to hold special daily prayers for the Princess.

Read more

HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha is being treated for a heart-related condition at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok after losing consciousness on December 14.

Bangkok’s New Year’s Eve celebrations will go ahead with the “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2023” at Iconsiam next to the Chao Phraya River, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) confirmed on Friday.

Read more

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