What to do and where to Celebrate Your New Year's Eve in Bangkok

Bangkok hosts some of the best place for the new year countdown.

1. Central World

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.

• Location: 999/9 Rama I Rd, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
• Phone: +66 (0)2 640 7000

2. Khao San Road – NYE street party

For folks who believe that a street party is the only way to ring in a new year, Khao San Road regularly tops “must-see” lists for Bangkok citizens and tourists. No reservations required, nor will the fashion police serve warrants to guests wearing their most comfy outfits.

Revelers on tight budgets flock here for the electric-charged environment that outdoes most clubs and restaurants. Who knows how many partiers will “buy around” for the crowd? Roam the neighborhood. Cruise street bars or elegant nightclubs. This night is all about freeform fun, letting go and making it a night to remember.

3. Sanam Luang

If you prefer a relaxed atmosphere and a calm New Year’s Eve, then this park is the place for you. The park once used for the cremation of kings, queens and high-ranking princes is now considered as a popular historic centre of Bangkok. Also known as ‘The Royal Field’ the place is now a popular tourist location and hugely responsive to numerous events throughout the year. 

The place also hosts New Year’s eve, in a comparatively calm and serene manner. It is the best place to witness traditional Thailand’s New Year celebrations. Sanam Luang has a massive stage with Thai country music singers, traditional Thai dancers and some great Thai food stalls. You can find local Thai people praying, just sitting around taking in the festivities and launching sky lanterns.

Address: Ratchadamnoen Avenue, Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang; It is a 10 mins walk from Khaosan Road.

4. Asiatique The Riverfront

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 is worth booking ahead to make sure you get a table. If you do not manage to get a table, never fear, as there are plenty of food stalls and bars to keep you fed and watered.

• Location: 2194 Charoenkrung Road, Wat Phraya Krai, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
• Phone: +66 (0)92 246 0812

5. King Power Mahanakhon

If you’re looking for a truly magnificent place to countdown to the New Year, King Power Mahanakhon is possibly the highest place in Bangkok to celebrate New Year’s Eve. It’s probably one of the best places to catch the New Year vibes as you overlook the beautiful night view of Bangkok from the very top of King Power Mahanakhon. From the 78th floor rooftop of Bangkok’s iconic building, enjoy a night of glitz and glamour with the best entertainment and ring in the New Year with a spectacular view of fireworks decorating the midnight sky!

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. 

Dance, listen to DJs spin, imbibe in delicious treats and drinks and overdo it! Top clubs for your lofty experience:

6. Sky Bar at Lebua

Lebua is the perfect answer if you wish to have a luxurious new year in Bangkok. Ranging from lavish suites to breathtaking views, it possesses all of them. It is a great place to enjoy your last sip of the year. Also, this is the perfect place to witness the fireworks during new years in the city as it is Bangkok's highest rooftop bar! But do make prior booking before visiting as the bar is always booked out, especially on New years eve night. 

• Highlights: A New York inspired ball drop.
• Address: 1055 State Tower Silom, Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bang Rak

7. Sirocco

The world's highest alfresco restaurant is an example of absolute perfection in terms of food, wine, ambience and service. With the city view of Bangkok below, it sure to provide a splendid dining experience accompanied by fantastic views and cheery spirits! 

• Highlights: The seven-course dinner on the roof of the Banyan Tree Hotel
• Address: State Tower, 1055 lebua at SiLom, Silom, Bang Rak

8. Octave Rooftop Bar-Marriott at Hotel Sukhumvit

What more could you demand than a 360-degree panoramic view of a city like this when spending your new year in Bangkok? Cool, right? Make sure to keep this place on your to-do list to elevate your senses in the stunning rooftop bar and lounge. You can start your party in the early evening to get a table and watch the sunset as well as it is one of the best places to see it in Bangkok. And I think we know what a rooftop view of new years in going o be like? You get the best seat in the house when it comes to watching the fireworks displays here!

• Highlights: This place provides the highest spot, on the 45th floor, in the city favourable for a party.
• Address: 2 Ban Kluai Nuea Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana

9. Park Society-Society So on Sathorn

This is probably the only rooftop restaurant in Bangkok offering unobstructed views of the Lumpini Park. The place serves some great food combined with exquisite flavours and a magnificent view, come sun or shower.

• Highlights: The place overlooks the green immensity of Lumpini Park and beyond  the striking glass-and-metal skyline of Siam and Silom. 
• Address: 2 N Sathon Rd, Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bang Rak

If you are a foodie and feasting is your only way to celebrate each occasion, then here goes a list for each of you guys. The following dining options are sure to fill your appetite in the perfect relishing fashion.

10. Chao Phraya River Cruising (Romantic & Party options)

For revelers who would rather float through the midnight hour than standstill, a Chao Phraya River tour is the ultimate way to ring in the New Year. Guests step onboard barges and set off on the River of Kings feeling like royalty, too. Numerous resources sort out these grand experiences, so if one happens to be booked, there are others from which to choose.

Champagne, cocktails, gourmet dining and white-glove service are the order of the night as beautifully-dressed revelers glide past sites that include Wat Arun, the Rama VIII Bridge and the Grand Palace while listening to live music. Once midnight approaches, fireworks are the true stars of the night during what tourists often call a “once in a lifetime” way to usher in a new year.

11. The Dining Room at the House on Sathorn

You know that you’re looking forward to a lavish start to the year if you find yourself at this place on the 31st of December. The beautiful mansion which happened to be at the Russian Embassy hosts a grand colonial east-meets-west restaurant. The place is famous for serving a delicious 14-course tasting menu ranging from Modern Thai Seafood, soft drinks to sumptuous continental food and virgin mixologies. The place can be used for weddings to intimate dinners, cocktail parties, and private meetings.

• Price for two: From B5,200/7,400 with wine pairing
• Address: The House on Sathorn, 106 Sathorn Rd., 02-344-4025

12. Brasserie Cordonnier

Bangkok does provide options for family outings as well. If you are looking forward to starting the new year with your family, then here is your chance to sort things out and mark a fresh start at the Brasserie Cordonnier. Being a family-friendly French bistro on Sukhumvit’s party strip, this place offers a special four-course menu with oysters, foie gras and lobster.

• Price for two: 2,500 Bahts
• Address: 33/30 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-038-5113

13. Apsara Dining Cruise

If you are spending your new year in Bangkok with your partner, then this is the perfect option for you. The new year offer allows a Royal Thai set dinner cruise along with transport facilities which take you to the river port. This romantic restaurant on a rice barge is sure to light up your romantic new year in Bangkok.

• Price for two: 3,800 Bahts
• Address: Banyan Tree, 100 Sathorn Rd., 02-679-1200

14. Cantina Wine Bar & Italian Kitchen

Cantina Wine Bar is a casual pizza and pasta house with an Italian wine cellar theme. This place serves a three-course Italian set dinner, including a glass of prosecco wine and oysters at extremely affordable prices only on new year’s eve. Spend your new year in Bangkok with that special someone sipping on the finest wine and food as you welcome the new year on a more serene note. 

• Price for two: 1,499 Bahts
• Address: 4 Ari Samphan Soi 3, 02-278-0250

15. The White Party (LGBT)

It’s no secret that Thailand is front and center when it comes to social issues that include LGBTQ+ rights. If you want to celebrate this enlightened social perspective, make plans to attend Bangkok’s White Party, a gay bash that lasts four days and takes no prisoners!

This outrageous, sexy, joyous celebration happens to be one of the city’s most high-profile affairs, which is why getting your hands on tickets could be problematic if you don’t book early. Must you wear white? That depends entirely on you, but if this will be your first time attending this shindig, wearing white certainly can’t hurt your image.

• Date: Dec 28, 30, 31, 7:00 pm; Dec 29, 3:00 pm-7:00 pm
• Address: GMM Live House, 8/F Central World, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-101-6881;
• On December 29th: Hi-So Rooftop Bar, 29-30/F, So Sofitel Bangkok, North Sathorn Rd., 02-624-0000;
• Cost: 900 bahts entry fee

16. Meta Music Festival

The Meta Music festival is organised by Thailand's largest electronic dance music event organisation- Zapp Party. It is a great place to enjoy an electronic dance music festival trickling down to an ultimate New Year’s countdown featuring popular DJs. Instead of just a usual one-day affair, this is a two-day extravaganza! Want to do something this new year in Bangkok? Hit this crazy music festival!

• Date: December 30th - December 31st
• Address: Oasis Arena, Show DC, Rama 9 Rd. 
• Cost:1,500 Baht for a two-day ticket 

17. Beam NYE

An attraction for hip hop DJs, beam NYE, has a lot more to offer in terms of food and drinks as well. The place gets heated up with a multitude of DJs. To top it up with some more thrill, there is no regular play, but a cool mashup of all you have expected.

• Date: December 31st, 9:00 pm onwards
• Address:  Beam, 1/F, 72 Courtyard, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 02-392-7750. 
• Cost: 700-800 Baht via Ticketmelon, or 900 Baht on the door (includes one drink).

18. Glitter & Glam

A place is featuring non-stop entertainment from famous DJs and aerial dance performances, the Glitter and Glam are renowned for its countdown as well as celebrations. It is a night packed with uplifting dance music, glitter dance crew and wild fun. Be fully charged up and head to this place to dance away your time experiencing the new year in Bangkok! 

• Date: December 31st, 9:00 pm onwards
• Address: Insanity Nightclub, 234 Sukhumvit Soi 12, 02-653-2923.
• Cost: 800 Baht for ladies and 1000 baht for men inclusive of 1 drink

19. N Player’s Ball Edition

It is a hip hop New Year’s party featuring star performances from star guest DJs. Dance like there is no tomorrow. Enjoy to your fullest extent to end the year on a high note. The thing with the new year eve music concerts is that everyone at the venue is pumped up as much as you are to welcome the new year with lots of dancing, partying and fun!

• Date: December 31st
• Address: Sugar Club, 37 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 082-308-3246.
• Cost: 800 bahts inclusive one drink

20. RCA in Bangkok

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.  

Location: RCA Alley, Bang Kapi, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand

With all these options at your disposal make it a point to celebrate your new year in Bangkok this year. Have a rocking end to this year and have a great start to a fresh New Year!

21. Chinatown, Bangkok

Who says you have to wait until 25 January 2020 to celebrate Chinese New Year when you can get a head start on the night of 31st December 2019? By day, this beautifully eclectic community is abuzz with shoppers eager to snag bargains, trade gold, visit temples, market stalls and indulge in street-side eateries.

Once the sun goes down and lights go on, who needs fireworks? Where to go to get your New Year’s Eve bar fix? El Chiringuito; Soy Sauce Factory; Teens of Thailand; Tep Bar and Soul Bar. Called the 5 coolest drinking holes in Chinatown, you can audition all of these places and revisit the scene in January for the lunar New Year celebration.