Expique’s Guide to the New Year in Bangkok

Written by Team Expique
Published: November 30, 2020

New Years Eve in Bangkok is huge! While Thailand’s official new year is Songkran in April, December 31 / January 1 is still an official holiday and celebrated on a large scale in Bangkok and elsewhere.

In this article we share ideas of how to bring in the new year in Bangkok. For further festive ideas you can check out our article on how to celebrate Christmas in Bangkok.

This article was partially updated for 2020 for New Years eve this year (New Years Eve 2022) we will update it towards the end of the year.

New Years Eve and New Years Day in Bangkok

Combining New Years, Chinese New Year and Songkran, means Thais get in on at least three sets of new year celebrations in the space of 4 months. Being the most internationally recognised celebration December 31 and January 1 are a big holiday in Thailand and is an official holiday.

2020 has been a strange year. While many hotels and restaurants have been cautious about festive and new year celebrations in the wake of COVID restrictions, organising big events also presents one of their biggest opportunities in what has been an awful year for such businesses.

Many such businesses have been slow announcing events but there is no doubt there will be more New Years Even Parties going on AND more great deals than ever. Equally, there will be more domestic tourism than ever for New Year.

That’s said, many businesses do close over New Years, so do check with restaurants in advance if you are planning to eat out.

On New Years Day it is very traditional for Thai’s to make merit at Temples and many people will visit an Auspicious 9 temples. No matter where people are in Thailand this is a huge theme.

Countdown to midnight at Central World

Just like many countries around the world, 31 December sees a large-scale and popular countdown to the new year, most visibly on the streets of Siam in the centre of Bangkok. Right in front of the capital’s flagship shopping centre Central World, as many as hundreds of thousands of people pack onto the street to countdown those final seconds to midnight and see in a new year. The event is so popular that ‘countdown’ almost seems to have become a synonym for ‘new year’ among Thai speakers. The high-energy line up includes a series of concert performances by popular Thai artists and appearances by celebrities, in the run-up to the final countdown and an impressive fireworks display.

To get in on the action, take the Skytrain to Chitlom, which is directly connected to Central World by a skywalk. Things usually get going at around 6pm, but you might want to arrive early to beat the inevitable crowds to a decent spot.

Fireworks and Cruises on the Chao Phraya River

The cruise boats which operate on the Cho Phraya river year round up their game on New Year’s Eve, and put on special Thai and international buffet dinners – or extravagant full-service meals with as many as ten courses – to enjoy with free-flow drinks as their converted barges float ceremoniously along Bangkok’s mighty River of Kings, with its picturesque temples and other famous sights to spot along the river banks.

Certainly a memorable way to see in the new year in Bangkok, expect plenty of bright lights and on-board entertainment including live bands and some of Thailand’s infamous cabaret shows. There are plenty of operators to choose from; on some cruises you will be able to enjoy the countdown to midnight and watch a riverside fireworks display from on the boat itself, while others will dock at a hotel along the river to allow you to finish the night in style there.

Eat, shop and party at Asiatique (tbc)

The arrival of popular outdoor shopping complex Asiatique, has shaken up the New Year’s Eve scene in recent years, meaning Central World is no longer the only top-ticket option for celebrations. Many of the restaurants at riverside Asiatique put on special menus for new year, and failing that there are plenty of more informal restaurants and food stalls where you can settle in for a memorable evening. At Asiatique you have the opportunity to combine an evening of shopping with your meal, and to catch the fireworks over the river too. To get to Asiatique, take its free shuttle boat service from Saphan Taksin pier, which is directly connected to the Skytrain.

Countdown Parties, Gala Dinners, and Sky Bars

Many of the top hotels will have special gala dinners, and bars will have special events. Many restaurants will just operate as normal.

At the top end there is no place that does a Gala Dinner like The Mandarin Oriental, with celebrity performances lavish feasts and fireworks.

We are in the process of compiling a list of best events at all budgets.

New Years Eve at a Temple in Bangkok

Even though the Thai New Year is not until mid-April, a lot of Thai Buddhists celebrate it by going to a temple on New Year’s Eve. In fact, plenty will then also visit each of the nine sacred temples in Bangkok on New Year’s Day! Most temples have a ceremony, known as Suad Mont Kham Pi, that goes on throughout the evening (and at midnight), meaning you can simply pop into the temple nearest you. Alternatively, visiting a temple near the river – such as Wat Yannawa – you will get to see fireworks in the background at midnight, while enjoying the temple ceremony. Another great temple to check out is Wat Saket (The Golden Mount), from where you can get great views over the city. Finally, there is also a big New Year’s Eve gathering at Sanam Luang.