Light shows on 13 Chao Phraya bridges to usher in New Year
MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2022
The Rural Roads Department (DRR) has invited people to see light shows at 13 bridges along the Chao Phraya River from December 30 to January 1 to bid bye to 2022 and usher in the New Year.
The Transport Ministry said on its Facebook page on Monday that it is celebrating the New Year festival with a light show on the following 13 bridges:
Rama III Bridge
Rama IV Bridge
Rama V Bridge
Rama VII Bridge
Maha Chesadabodindranusorn Bridge
Somdet Phra Pinklao Bridge
Memorial Bridge
Phra Pok Klao Bridge
Taksin Bridge
Krung Thon Bridge
Krung Thep Bridge
Bhumibol Bridge 1
Bhumibol Bridge 2
The light show will start at 7pm and go on until midnight.
The department explained that the objective was to provide an attraction and woo tourists as well as assist the economy.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Massive flock of stilts startles village residents in Ang Thong
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2022
A flock of 10,000 black-winged stilts has taken over a field in Ang Thong province’s Pho Thong district, surprising residents of a nearby village.
Residents of the village say they have never seen so many birds before and that the species is new to the district.
The black-winged stilts are a protected species under the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act. They use their long, thin black bills to catch fish and snails.
Local resident Boonlong Taksit said they arrived a few days ago and that evenings are the best time to see them because they begin gathering near the edge of a pond late in the afternoon.
The flock of stilts is drawing tourists to the area, local residents say.
The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has shortlisted 180 “Talad Thong Chom” or must-visit markets across Thailand for people to visit during the four-day New Year break.
Wattanasak Sur-iam, DIT’s director-general, said these markets showcase community art, culture and tradition and also offer unique souvenirs for people to pick up.
Here are some outstanding ones people can add to their itinerary:
• Talad Phlu, Thonburi, Bangkok: Known for its garlic chives steamed cakes
• Bueng Phraya Floating Market, Klong Sam Wa, Bangkok: Offers a first-hand experience of authentic riverside lifestyle
• San Chao Rong Thong Market, Ang Thong: Chinese-style architecture and street food
• Phikulthong Community Market, Singburi: Signature dishes including sun-dried snakehead fish
• Khlong Khang Pier Market, Nakhon Sawan: Unique desserts like exploding “khanom krok” and ice cream in a jar
• Old Town Market, Phuket: Location of Phuket Thai Hua Museum and province’s first Chinese language school.
All Thai airport weighing scales calibrated ahead of New Year holidays
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2022
The Commerce Ministry inspected the weighing scales at 33 airports across the country to ensure travellers are not unfairly hit with excess baggage charges during the New Year holidays.
Jakkra Yodmanee, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, said on Friday that since many people are expected to fly during the holiday season, he personally inspected the 200 weighing scales in Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport.
He also instructed his staff members to closely examine the weighing scales in all airports across the country.
“The [Internal Trade] Department has always regulated airport weighing scales, and the Airport Department and Airports of Thailand have always cooperated,” he said.
He said the weighing scales were certified every two years by the Central Bureau of Weights and Measures.
According to Article 79 of the Measurement Act, “whoever, knowing that a measurement gauge has an inaccuracy of more than the contingency rate set under Section 26, uses or possesses such measurement gauges for use in business under Section 25 Paragraph 1 shall be liable to imprisonment for a term of not exceeding six months, or a fine not exceeding 20,000 baht or both.”
False weighing scales can also be reported via the 1569 hotline.
New Year festivities aim to restore ‘happiness and hope’
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2022
New Year countdowns are being held nationwide this year as part of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s efforts to revitalise tourism.
Yuthasak Supasorn, the agency’s governor, said on Friday that it is working with private-sector associations to ensure the “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2023” in Bangkok and other provinces will “bring back happiness and hope to Thai people”.
He thanked all those who are welcoming tourists from around the world and wished them a healthy and happy New Year.
The tourism agency provided the following list of countdown and related festivals in Thailand:
• Amazing Thailand Countdown 2023 December 31 to January 1 at Wat Phra Chetuphon pier in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok
• Neon Countdown 2022 December 30 to January 1 at Wonder World Extreme Park in Khan Na Yao district, Bangkok
• Amazing Thailand Countdown 2023 @ ICONSIAM December 31 to January 1 at Iconsiam in Bangkok
• Centralworld Bangkok Countdown 2023 December 31 to January 1 at Centralworld in Bangkok
• The Ratchaprasong Light of Fortune 2022 December 8 to January 8 at the Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok
• Light Up Christmas Tree 2023 November 18 to January 1 at Centralworld in Bangkok
• Amazing Thailand Countdown 2023 @ Hatyai December 29 to January 1 in Hat Yai district, Songkhla
• Amazing Mae Klong Countdown 2023 December 31 to January 1 at Wat Paknam bridge in Samut Songkhram
• Countdown Sea Sand Nights @Hatchaosamran December 30 to January 1 at Chao Samran Mai beach in Phetchaburi
• Countdown Party Happy New Year 2023 December 31 to January 1 at Klong Thap Sakae in Prachuap Khiri Khan
• Hua Hin Beach Countdown 2023 December 31 to January 1 in InterContinental Hua Hin Resort
• Amazing Thailand Countdown 2023 Gift Box @Ratchaburi December 29 to January 1 at Pracha Phatthana Dam in Ratchaburi
• Suanphueng Highland Countdown Festival 2023 December 30 to January 1 at Suanphung Highland in Ratchaburi
• Kanchanaburi Countdown Festival 2023 December 29 to January 1 at River Kwai Bridge in Kanchanaburi
• Suphanburi Festival 2023 December 30 to January 1 at Chalerm Patthara Rachini Park in Suphan Buri
• Amazing Chiang Mai Countdown 2023 December 30 to January 1 at Chaloem Phrakiat Park in Chiang Mai
• Chiang Rai Countdown 2023 December 31 to January 1 at Clock Tower Chiang Rai
• Amazing Thailand Countdown 2023 @Uthaithani December 29 to January 1 at Clock Tower Circle in Uthai Thani
• Sukhothai Countdown 2023 December 29 to January 1 at Sukhothai Seagrass Field in Uthai Thani
• Nakhon Sawan Lantern Festival December 22 to January 2 at Utthayan Sawan in Nakhon Sawan
• Balloon and Illumination Festival 2023 December 30 to January 1 at BN Farm in Khao Kho district, Phetchabun
• Music in the garden and Countdown Party 2023 December 25 to January 1 at Phetbura park in Phetchabun
• Khao Kho Countdown 2023 December 30 to January 1 at Khao Kho Viewpoint in Phetchabun
• Buriram Countdown 2023 December 24 to January 1 at Chang Arena in Buriram
• Si Sa Ket New Year Festival December 26 to January 4 at Si Sa Ket Provincial Hall
• Korat Countdown 2023 December 28 to January 1 at Central Korat in Nakhon Ratchasima
• Khon Kaen Soft Power Countdown 2023 December 29 to January 1 at Khon Kaen Provincial Hall
• 101 in love Countdown 2023 December 29 to January 1 at Roi Et Tower in Roi Et
• UD Town Countdown 2023 December 31 to January 1 at UD Town in Udon Thani
• Nakhon Phanom Winter Festival 2023 December 26 to January 1 at the Vietnamese Memorial Clock Tower in Nakhon Phanom
• Amnat Charoen 2023 Happy New Year Time Countdown December 29 to January 1 at the clock tower in Amnat Charoen
• Amazing Grand Sand Dune Countdown 2023 December 31 to January 2 at Grand Sand Dune in Chumphon
• Trang City Countdown 2023 December 31 to January 1 at the clock tower in Trang
• Patong Countdown 2023 December 29 to January 1 at Patong Bay Hill in Kathu district, Phuket
• Pattaya Countdown 2023 December 31 to January 1 at Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya
• Rayong Countdown 2023 December 28 to January 3 at Rayong Provincial Stadium
• Trat Countdown 2023 December 28 to January 3 at Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine in Trat
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