Celebrate New Year in Thailand :Festivities, Destinations and Essential Tips for 2024
New Year’s Eve in Thailand! From Bangkok to Phuket, discover the festivities and events not to be missed on New Year’s Eve. Find out all about the traditions and tips for a memorable New Year’s experience in Thailand.
How is New Year celebrated in Thailand?
New Year is celebrated in Thailand. Although Thais use two calendars, the ‘Western’ New Year celebration has now become fully integrated into the local culture. It’s a day, even a night, of festivities that brings together people from all over the world. The country has even specialised in holding massive countdowns in many major cities.
New Year’s Eve in Thailand is a secular celebration of great importance, uniting the entire population.
One or two New Years in Thailand?
In Thailand, there are actually two New Years celebrated because of the use of two different calendars: the Gregorian calendar (the international standard) and the Buddhist calendar. The former is associated with the changeover from 31 December to 1 January, while the latter is linked to the Thai New Year, known as Songkran.
The difference between these two calendars is 543 years. For example, the year 2023 in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to the year 2566 in the Buddhist calendar. In Thailand, two New Years are celebrated because of these calendar differences.
What are the main destinations for celebrating New Year’s Eve in Thailand?
It’s impossible to list all the places that celebrate New Year’s Eve in Thailand, as many festivities take place throughout the country. However, the biggest festivities take place in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya.
Bangkok on New Year’s Eve
The capital of the Land of Smiles is the ideal place in Thailand to celebrate the New Year. The city offers a host of concerts, stunning fireworks displays and lively parties in bars and clubs.
New Year’s Eve highlights in Bangkok
We’ll be giving you the full programme in the coming weeks, but here are a few ideas of Bangkok’s iconic venues!
- Iconsiam with its mega-giant fireworks display.
- The countdown at Central World.
- The countdown at Asiatique and its fireworks over the Chao Phraya.
- Rooftops: too many to list here!
- For romantics or those who want to capture some unique photos, a cruise on the Chao Phraya is a perfect option.
- The iconic streets: Khao San Road, RCA or Royal City Avenue, Sathorn (Patpong) and the famous Soi 11 on Sukhumvite. And don’t forget Bangkok’s red light districts.
Phuket in the New Year
The island of Phuket is an extremely popular destination during December and January. Every year, large concerts and fireworks displays on the beach attract many visitors. There are lots and lots of people. The city centre, the old quarter, is beautifully decorated, and people come here mainly for Christmas, but for New Year’s Eve the festivities are mainly on the seafront.
Emblematic places for New Year’s Eve in Phuket
Bangla Road :
This famous street on Patong Beach is the heart of Phuket’s nightlife. During the New Year period, it is transformed into an effervescent party place with numerous bars, clubs and a festive atmosphere. Fireworks and street performances add to the excitement of the night. Be warned, it gets very crowded on this night.
Beach Bar in Phuket
There are plenty of beach bars offering a very special programme for this evening. Gourmet menu, cocktails, music and not forgetting the fireworks. There’s plenty to choose from, but here are some of the best-known (for programme and bookings, see their websites): Catch Beach Club, XANA, Tann Terrace Beach Club, Café del Mar, Kudo.
The RoofTop in Phuket
What could be better than getting a bit of height on New Year’s Eve! You’ll overlook the world and have a superb view of the fireworks. The big drawback is that you need to book well in advance. Here are the main Rooftops in Phuket, for the programme see their websites: Patong Beach, Kee Resort, 360 Bar, Vanilla Sky Bar & Gastro Pub at Cape Sienna, Baba Nest at Sri Panwa, KEE Sky Lounge, AKOYA Star Lounge at V Villas, etc.
Paradise Beach:
Located close to Patong, Paradise Beach is renowned for its New Year’s Eve beach parties. The beach often hosts international DJs, sand parties and a huge fireworks display to welcome in the New Year in an idyllic tropical setting. It’s an ideal place for those who want to celebrate in a seaside atmosphere.
Chiang Mai on New Year’s Eve
Chiang Mai celebrates the New Year as it does throughout Thailand, but with a distinct moderation compared to its counterparts in Bangkok and Phuket. The city usually organises a music festival and a New Year market.
Emblematic New Year venues in Chiang Mai
Chaloem Phrakiat Park
Every year the park is a focal point. Flower shows are usually held here. People come here mainly to meet up and then to join the many parties in the city’s bars and restaurants, particularly on the emblematic Loi Kroh Road.
Central Chiang Mai:
Central Festival is a large shopping centre in Chiang Mai which becomes a focal point for the New Year festivities. Stalls, concerts and other entertainment attract a fairly young crowd every year, who also come to enjoy the fireworks at the end of the countdown.
Thapae Gate:
Chiang Mai’s landmark is the epicentre of the New Year’s Eve festivities, with concerts, parades and the countdown to the new year. Not forgetting the fireworks. The Thapae Gate is also the entrance to the Waking Street Night Market, where you can sample some local specialities and find local crafts too.
Chiang Mai’s Rooftops:
It’s ideal to get a bit of height for this exceptional evening. There aren’t any very tall buildings like you’ll find in Bangkok, but a few bars are organising a special evening. This short list includes: Rise Bar at Akyra Hotel, Mai The Sky Bar, The Moat House Rooftop Bar, Improvise Panoramic Roof Bar.
Please note!
For some years now, sky lantern releases have been very limited or even banned for air safety reasons. There will undoubtedly be street vendors offering them on the evening of 31st, but beware of the consequences.
New Year’s Eve in Pattaya
Nicknamed the ‘temple of lust’, Pattaya also celebrates the New Year, but in its own way. The festivities along the famous Walking Street are on a grand scale, as usual. Bars, nightclubs and restaurants are in unison to celebrate the event. There are plenty of private parties, some of which you need to book in advance, others of which you don’t! The night of 31 December is always lively and memorable in Pattaya.
Emblematic New Year venues in Pattaya
Bali Hai Pier:
Bali Hai Pier is a must for New Year’s Eve celebrations in Pattaya. It organises a spectacular countdown to mark the arrival of the New Year. Visitors can enjoy fireworks, live concerts and a festive atmosphere on the waterfront.
The Walking Street:
The Walking Street is the heart of Pattaya’s nightlife. During the New Year festivities, it is transformed into a lively party street with a multitude of bars, clubs and street shows. It attracts crowds from all over the world to celebrate the New Year in an electrifying atmosphere.
The beaches from Pattaya to Jomtien:
Whether with family or friends, the beaches from North Pattaya to Jomtien attract a wide range of visitors. People come here to eat as well as to have a drink. There are fireworks displays and you can throw the famous lanterns, which rise somehow into the air (lantern throwing is always tricky by the sea!).
Pattaya’s Rooftops:
Pattaya by night and from above, how beautiful! Pattaya has some pretty nice rooftops and on New Year’s Eve, they’re a great way to enjoy the entertainment without the crowds. Here’s a short list of the city’s main rooftops: Horizon Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, Sky Bar & Gravity Lounge, Virgin Rooftop Pattaya, The Sky 32, D.I.B Sky Bar.
New Year’s Eve on Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is famous for its lively parties. Every full moon is synonymous with the famous Full Moon Party. For New Year’s Eve, whether there is a full moon or not, the festivities are in full swing with the same festive ingredients. What’s more, there’s usually a full moon celebration before or after New Year’s Eve.
It is essential to note that this period attracts a considerable crowd to the island. It is strongly recommended to book accommodation and transport well in advance to ensure a carefree experience. For more information, visit this link
The iconic New Year’s Eve venue on Koh Phangan
Haad Rin (Beach of the famous Full Moon Party) : Haad Rin is the iconic place to celebrate New Year’s Eve on Koh Phangan. This beach is world-famous for its lively Full Moon Party. It is the focal point of the New Year’s festivities, offering spectacular fireworks, live DJs and a caliente atmosphere that attracts revellers from all over the world to ring in the New Year.
Practical information about New Year’s Eve in Thailand
1 January in Thailand
1 January in Thailand is a public holiday. If the 1st falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday will be a public holiday!
All government offices, schools and universities are closed. On the other hand, shops are generally all open.
Transport in Bangkok on New Year’s Eve
On New Year’s Eve, the MRT and BTS are open until 2am. Many buses also run until 2am. In any case, taxis are always present and traffic jams also late into the night!
Be careful when booking hotels and transport:
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Phangan and Pattaya are very popular during the New Year period. It’s really advisable to book your hotel well in advance. The same applies to transport, especially for those who wish to take the train to Chiang Mai.
New Year 2024/2025: public holidays calendar
The public holiday schedule for 2024 is as follows:
- 31 December 2024 is a public holiday in Thailand, this year falling on a Tuesday.
- In order to optimise tourism during this period and to facilitate transport, the government is putting Monday 30 December off, which will allow Thais to enjoy a long weekend to celebrate the New Year, from Saturday 28 December 2024 to Wednesday 1 January 2025 inclusive.
Road safety during the festive season in Thailand
Every year, the week between Christmas and New Year is considered to be one of the deadliest on Thai roads. Even though the authorities are stepping up their efforts, the number of fatal accidents has fallen only slightly. Thailand is one of the three most dangerous countries in which to drive.
The week of the end-of-year festivities and the 4 days of Songkran (Thai New Year) are the most dangerous periods on the road, so it is advisable to take great care and avoid taking to the road on two wheels or in a car if the safety conditions are not met.
Beyond that, it’s a good idea to have a good insurance policy in Thailand to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Thailand and the New Year in questions
Do the Thais have any specific traditions for New Year?
No. While there are many traditions and practices for the Thai New Year, there are no special practices for the Thai New Year as there are in Spain or other European countries.
Are there any street parties or special events for New Year?
Strictly speaking, there are no street parties. There are, of course, parties on the Walking Street, but nothing really spectacular.
Most of the entertainment takes place at Christmas markets, club parties and especially during the countdown with the fireworks.
What are the options for New Year’s Eve dinners?
The number of options depends on the city where you are going to celebrate. Clearly, the larger cities or islands have plenty of choice: from dinner cruises on the Chao Phraya to rooftop dining in a skyscraper. There’s plenty to choose from and you’ll need to book in advance.
What’s the nightlife like during the New Year celebrations in Thailand?
While there is a lot of excitement before and just after the countdown to 31 December, the city centres very quickly become quieter. The celebrations are then confined to private venues, walking streets or the usual tourist areas such as Khao San road.
What are the safety tips for celebrating New Year’s Eve in Thailand?
There is no particular advice to give for this event in Thailand, the advice is similar to many other events:
- Avoid amateur fireworks displays.
- Keep an eye on your personal belongings.
- Avoid over-consumption of alcohol.
- Do not smoke cannabis in public places and moderate your consumption.
- Avoid venturing into dangerous areas: don’t go swimming in the middle of the night, especially if you’ve taken any drugs.
- Be careful on the roads. We can’t stress this enough, but the number of accidents during this period is staggering.
- Keep up to date with the weather.
- Keep your identification documents safe and carry a photocopy or photo of your passport with your visa.
Explore more events in Thailand
Want to find out more about exciting events in Thailand? Explore our detailed guides to festivals, traditional celebrations and much more! Discover all that Thailand has to offer in terms of entertainment and culture:
