Bangkok is one of the world's best cities for celebrating! Where will you ring in the new year in the city of angels? From big hotel bashes to extravagant restaurant meals to night clubs, there are plenty of options to celebrate the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013.
The whole Rajaprasong area is going to be packed with people enjoying free music and other entertainment at the Central World Mall plaza. There will be a tv-broadcast countdown and fireworks at midnight, plus an estimated two hundred thousand people. This event, which seems to get bigger every year, is Bangkok’s answer to the Times Square countdown. It’s guaranteed to be lots of fun (there’s even a Toyota Prius giveaway!) but it’s not for everyone, as it’s also going to be very loud and very crowded! You can take the
Skytrain to Chitlom; the whole intersection will close to traffic at 6 p.m.
Countdown at Siam Paragon
This large mall is also going to be holding a countdown party with entertainment. While it won’t be as packed and festive as the Central World plaza event, there will still be live bands and fireworks to ring in the new year. Take the
Skytrain to
Siam Square.
Fireworks on the River
Pick any venue along the Chao Phraya to enjoy the amazing fireworks display set for midnight. While there's no one municipal body that organizes the fireworks, many private hotels put together their own displays. The result is a phenomenal show. Most
riverside luxury hotels and
budget riverside hotels will have festivities planned for midnight, plus viewing areas for guests to see the fireworks. Many of these include set dinners; make sure to call ahead.
Nightclubs
All of Bangkok’s nightclubs will be celebrating New Year’s Even on December 31.
Bed Supperclub will be throwing a zodiac-themed party with a fashion show and set dinner. Dinner and party costs 8,400 baht; just the party costs 1,200 baht.
This outdoor mall and market on the river will have DJs and live music starting at 6 p.m. plus a big fireworks display at midnight. It’ll be a prime spot to view the rest of the fireworks along the river, too. Since Asiatique is so popular, expect big crowds here.
Khao San Road
The whole area is going to be abuzz (buzzed and, later in the evening, a drunken mess) on December 31. Most bars will have some festivities going on but the celebrating is going to be out on the main street, too, which is always closed to traffic.Roof Top Venues
Many of Bangkok’s
rooftop bars and clubs are having parties to celebrate New Years Eve. Distil and Scirroco at
Lebua at State Tower have organized extravagant events which include indulgent set menus; prices start at $700 per person! The
Banyan Tree, home to Vertigo and Moon Bar, will be hosting a number of different events including an open bar celebration for $85. Check out their
Facebook page.
If you're looking for a blowout party in the Sukhumvit area, the Imperial Queens Park Hotel will be hosting a huge party on their roof, with half a dozen DJs, two stages of live music and dancing and a midnight fireworks display. The party starts at 9 p.m. Admission is 1,200 baht and includes 2 drinks, but book ahead. Take the
Skytrain to Phrom Pong Station.
Other Notable Parties
Many hotels and restaurants will host events on December 31. A few notable ones are a set dinner at
Baan Khanita, which includes their yummy Thai food, a Bollywood style party at
Indus, which includes an international buffet, their chefs demonstrating how they make their popular Indian dishes, lots of music, entertainment and dancing, and free flow of drinks for 2,900 baht.
