5 Places to Celebrate New Year in Bangkok

A vibrant street countdown party happens every year outside CentralWorld shopping mall. Find a good spot near the junction where you can enjoy fireworks and cheery crowds that will have gathered here from the early evening, with over 100,000 people expected.

In front of the mall, there’ll usually be a beer garden, snack stalls, and live entertainment like DJs and bands. To really fit in, find one of the sellers who’ll be touting their flashing headbands and sparkly date sunglasses. Getting there and back is extremely easy as the BTS Skytrain runs past midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Asiatique is one of the most popular places to ring in the New Year in Bangkok. At 5pm, the NYE countdown at Asiatique will be broadcasted on national TV, so expect a ritzy glitzy affair along with it. The best way to get there is via boat from Saphan Taksin Pier (near the BTS of the same name).

The night market will be buzzing: expect live music and Thai celebrity appearances, as well as fireworks when the clock strikes 12. Many of Asiatique's restaurants will be hosting special suppers – it’s worth booking ahead to make sure you get a table. If you don’t manage to get a table, never fear, as there are plenty of food stalls and bars to keep you fed and watered.

Rooftop bars and restaurants in Bangkok are pretty magical on any night of the year but when it's New Year’s Eve, they add an extra dose of sparkle to their lofty surroundings. New rooftops open almost every year in the city, and as competition increases, the events become more impressive.

Lebua often does a New York-inspired ball drop, and lavish 7-course dinners are usually offered at Lebua’s Sirocco bar, Vertigo at Banyan Tree Bangkok Hotel, and many others. Standard end-of-the-year celebrations will include plenty of bubbly, excellent food, and quality entertainment. Pick a top rooftop bar out of the many in Bangkok to enjoy fantastic views of the fireworks.

RCA in Bangkok is a classic option if you’re partying in a group and can’t decide whether you want live music, R&B, pop or international DJs. This nightlife complex runs from Rama 9 to Petchaburi, housing over half a dozen nightclubs, pubs and bars. For the end-of-year celebrations, they take it up a gear, so don’t expect an early night.

Make sure you bring ID as RCA are strict on this issue. Clubs will stamp your hand upon entry, so you can pop in and out throughout the night. The crowd here is young and fun-loving, a great party spot to ring in the new year in Bangkok. Read more

A Bangkok river cruise on New Year's Eve can be a truly romantic experience. Tours often have a special departure at 8.15pm, spending the last few hours of the year down the river on a converted barge. This is special with the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Rama VIII bridges glowing in the spotlights.

One of the options is dinner on the Loy Nava which usually features a 10-course Thai dinner, a bottle of wine per couple, and party favors. Ringing in the new year aboard this beautiful boat is just about the most Thai way to party, and it goes on until 2.30am (with scheduled disembark times throughout the night for people who don't fancy burning the midnight oil).