New Year in Thailand is the peak of the high season, which means the country’s busy with tourists and there are plenty of places to go and events going on for celebrations and partying

For fun and frolics, dance with the sand between your toes at the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan or choose a more stylish venue on top of the world at Bangkok’s rooftop bars. Celebrate on the tropical island of Phuket with fireworks and beach barbecues, and for a more traditional celebration head to Chiang Mai.

Our guide will help you find a place and event that suits your preferences. Be it street parties, beach parties, gala dinners, or night markets, there will be somewhere for you to go in Thailand.

New Year’s Eve in Bangkok

1. Countdown on the Chao Phraya River

One of the most popular ways to enjoy the New Year in Bangkok is to spend it at the Asiatique open-air mall on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.

Each year at 5 p.m., the national television broadcast of New Year's Eve is held there, featuring a variety of live music by leading Thai celebrities.

As the clock strikes midnight, a massive fireworks show is staged before the celebrations really begin. Numerous restaurants and bars will add to the entertainment as well and provide you with the fuel to get through the night.

2. From the Rooftops of Bangkok

Another popular way to spend the New Year in Bangkok is to do it from the many rooftop bars and restaurants scattered throughout the city.

You can witness the fireworks displays being held in all directions while enjoying a party at a rooftop restaurant or bar. There are several options, but some of the more popular are Lebua, Vertigo at the Banyan Tree Bangkok Hotel, Three Sixty, and Cloud 47.

3. Along the Khao San Road

There is nothing quite like a massive street party to ring in the New Year, and the biggest of these can be found on Khao San Road on New Year's Eve. There are no admission costs, you can wear what you like, and you will be able to enjoy countless bars and nightclubs and interact with fellow celebrants.

Here are the top places to celebrate your New Year's Eve in Bangkok

New Year’s Eve in Chiang Mai

4. The Night of Lights

Also known as the Lanterns and Lights event, this is the number one attraction on New Year's Eve in Chiang Mai. Hosted on Tha Phae Gate Road, visitors can enjoy live music performances, an enjoyable fireworks display, and plenty of pubs and bars.

The road is closed off from traffic at about 5:30 p.m. so that the crowds can come and enjoy the end-of-the-year entertainment. As the New Year breaks, light a candle in your lantern and release it into the sky alongside thousands of others.

5. Along the Ping River

Viewed by many to be the biggest street party of the year in Thailand, the many bars and restaurants along Ping River are another great option.

Here you will find even more live music and entertainment. Many people also use this street to set off their lanterns at the stroke of midnight on the New Year.

6. Celebrate on the North Gate of Chiang Mai

The North Gate of Chiang Mai is another popular location for travellers, as it has plenty of restaurants, bars, and live music to enjoy.

Many make the journey here after the releasing of lanterns on Tha Phae Gate Road or along the Ping River. Think of it as an after-party where you can drink and party until the early hours.

Here are the top places to celebrate your New Year's Eve in Chiang Mai

New Year’s Eve in Phuket

7. On Surin Beach

For those of you planning to spend New Year in Phuket, the number one location for celebration is Surin Beach. Phuket has always been known to have some of the best beaches and therefore the best beach parties in Thailand.

New Year's Eve is when the very best of them can be enjoyed. Live entertainment, great music, delicious food, and an electric party atmosphere can always be found on this beach during the festivities.

8. Other Beach Parties

Though they are not quite as popular, many other beaches in Phuket will hold their own celebratory parties. Paradise Beach and Kamala Beach are the closest contenders to Surin Beach, and you can be sure of an electric time at either of them.

Here are the top places to celebrate your New Year's Eve in Phuket

New Year’s Eve in Koh Samui

9. Enjoy Parties on Chaweng and Nikki Beaches

On Thailand’s second-largest island, the best New Year celebrations are usually held on their most popular beaches.

Chaweng Beach and Nikki Beach are the most renowned for their New Year beach parties, and once you have been to one, you will know exactly why.

Entertainment in the form of DJs and live music, a spectacular fireworks display, and a party atmosphere are the main reasons that tourists flock here for the New Year.

10. Go Bar Hopping

As well as being renowned for gorgeous beaches, Koh Samui is also known for its nightlife. Tourists and locals alike often go bar hopping across the island on New Year's Eve.

The electric atmosphere in the island's bars and nightclubs will probably suit younger tourists. There are several restaurants which hold Gala Nights, which might suit older tourists.

New Year’s Eve in Chiang Rai

11. West of the Clock Tower

For the actual countdown to New Year, you will want to be on the west side of the Clock Tower. This is where the main celebration takes place.

The main stage will play host to live music featuring celebrity performers. As we ring the New Year in, fireworks are launched, just as they are in locations all over the world.

12. East of the Clock Tower

Once the main celebrations are over, most tourists make their way to the night market, which is on the east side of the Clock Tower.

There you will find lots of street vendors selling their wares, beer stands selling Chang beer, and plenty of tables and chairs to relax. You will not find much music here, but you can still hear the live music that is being played on the other side of the Clock Tower.

New Year’s Eve in Krabi

13. Enjoy a Gala Dinner

If you are staying at one of the many hotels in Krabi, you can enjoy a special gala dinner party. Here you will be able to enjoy a buffet dinner, plenty of free drinks, live entertainment, games, activities, and prize draws. These usually cost money on top of your accommodation costs but are often well worth the expense.  

14. Celebrate on the Main Beaches of Krabi 

For those of you that prefer more of a party atmosphere, head to the beaches. This is where the locals and tourists release their lanterns in Krabi. Plenty of drinks and music can be enjoyed. Once the countdown to the New Year finishes, the real partying begins.

New Year’s Eve in Koh Phangan

15. The Full Moon Party

If you are into dance music, are young enough to bust some moves, or simply want to party all night, there are not many better places to be than Koh Phangan. Known as the Ibiza of Southeast Asia, this island is buzzing all year round, but particularly on New Year's Eve.

Thousands travel from all over the world to experience this New Year’s Eve Party that has some of the world’s best DJs playing their sets to huge crowds on the beach.

Be warned that this is probably one of the more expensive locations on our list due its popularity among tourists. Expect accommodation, travel, food and drink, and just about everything else to be fairly expensive at this time of the year.

Here is the surviving guide for Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan

New Year’s Eve in Pattaya

16. The Bali Hai Pier

The main attraction on New Year's Eve in Pattaya is the Bali Hai Pier which will stage the city’s main activities and events.

A stage will host local and international music so that both tourists and locals can have an equally good time. Other activities and games are also available that just add to the celebrations.

17. The Walking Street

A kilometer in length (0.6 miles), the Walking Street is known to host some of the best nightlife in Pattaya.  Bars, restaurants, and clubs are dotted along each side of this street, and this is where you will find a lot of like-minded tourists.

18. Pattaya Beach Parties

Another option is to enjoy a beach party on one of the beautiful beaches in the city. Fireworks will pop all around you while you sing, dance, and drink in the New Year. Pattaya is certainly well suited to young people who love nothing more than a party scene.

Here are the top places to celebrate your New Year's Eve in Pattaya

Frequently Asked Questions About New Year Party In Thailand

Q. Where should we spend New Year in Bangkok?

A. Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in Thailand and the locals celebrate it in a grand way. From watching fireworks to rooftop dinners with Champagne, you can do a lot of things in this city to celebrate New Year like never before.

If you are a party person then you can visit the popular nightclubs located in areas like Khao San Road and Sukhumvit 11. You can also take the Loy Nava River Cruise if you want to celebrate New Year in a romantic way with your better half.

Here are the top places to celebrate your New Year's Eve in Bangkok

Q. Which are the famous rooftop restaurants to visit on New Year’s Eve?

A. There are a plethora of rooftop restaurants in Thailand that you can visit to have a romantic or family dinner on New Year. These restaurants also are known for organizing enticing New Year parties in Thailand. Some of the most famous ones are Sky Bar rooftop at Lebua State Tower, Octave Rooftop, and Lounge and Three Sixty.

Q. What is Thai New Year called?

A. The locals in Thailand celebrate the new year in the month of April which is called the Thai New Year or Songkran. Songkran is celebrated on 13th April every year and people celebrate it for 3 or 4 days.

Q. How is Thai New Year celebrated?

A. On Thai New Year the Thai people clean their houses, visit their elders, relish grand meals and most importantly throw water over each other. Water is the main element of this festival as it is considered pious and the throwing of water begins on 13th April. Thai New Year is celebrated for 3 or 4 days and these days are public holidays for all the locals.

Here is the detail about Songkran - Thailand's Traditional New Year

Q. How long is Songkran celebrated in Bangkok?

A. Songkran is an eminent festival in Thailand as it marks the beginning of a new year. Songkran is celebrated for 3 days in Bangkok and you must attend the festival on your vacation.

Check how to join the water fight during Songkran in Bangkok

Q. Which is the best place for New Year’s in Thailand 2020?

A. The best place for New Year’s in Thailand solely depends on how you’d like to celebrate it.

For night-long parties and unlimited booze you can head to the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, The Street Party at Khao San Road in Bangkok, Pattaya’s Walking Street, or the Surin Beach in Phuket.

For comparatively sober and culture-rich extravaganzas you can head to the Chiang Mai Road for the Lights and Lanterns Festival.

If you want luxury you can join the celebrations on the Loy Nava River Cruise, and for welcoming the New Year in Thailand with a romantic dinner, you can dine on the rooftop cafes and restaurants in Bangkok which will offer you and your amour the best views of the fireworks at midnight.

Q. Is it better to spend New Year’s Eve in Thailand or Tokyo?

A. With night-long parties, beach barbecues, live entertainment, an unlimited number of bars and pubs, and the most vibrant of festivities, one should definitely celebrate New Year’s Eve in Thailand. For a quieter start to 2020, you can head to the many restaurants and New Year gigs in Tokyo.

Q. Which are the top places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Phuket, Thailand?

A. For all the party lovers, Phuket can be a great place to indulge in a bashing new year in Thailand. The Paradise beach, Bangla road, Illuzion club, White room are some of the best places to party in this Thailand paradise.

Here are the top places to celebrate your New Year's Eve in Phuket

Conclusion

Are you excited to welcome new years in Thailand, 2021 in the fanciest way this year? If yes, then book your Thailand holiday to be a part of the best new year party in Thailand. Make the best of your winter vacation and bring new year with a bash!

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My name is Jolie, I am a Vietnamese girl growing up in the countryside of Hai Duong, northern Vietnam. Since a little girl, I was always dreaming of exploring the far-away lands, the unseen beauty spots of the world. My dream has been growing bigger and bigger day after day, and I do not miss a chance to make it real. After graduating from the univesity of language in Hanoi, I started the exploration with a travel agency and learning more about travel, especially responsible travel. I love experiencing the different cultures of the different lands and sharing my dream with the whole world. Hope that you love it too!

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