Thailand’s New Year countdown events will continue as usual, but the iconic fireworks show usually staged at Wat Arun in Bangkok will move to the northern province of Phayao in an effort to promote second-tier destinations, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
The decision to move the fireworks event to the home province of Deputy Prime Minister Thamanat Prompow was made before the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said on Thursday.
As Bangkok already has successful countdown events organised by the private sector that attract an influx of tourists each year, the TAT wants to allocate its budget to help increase tourist flows to second-tier provinces, she said.
The countdown event at Wat Arun was first held in 2016, aiming to showcase fireworks over the Chao Phraya River with the temple as a backdrop.
In the North, the agency has selected Phayao as a new destination this year, in addition to Chiang Mai. The location for the event in the South is still under consideration, said Ms Thapanee.
The event in Phayao is expected to attract at least 250,000 visitors and stimulate tourism in northern provinces beyond Chiang Mai.
Thamanat, an MP for Phayao, oversees the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in his role as a deputy PM in the Anutin administration.
Ms Thapanee also said foreign visitors can be assured that the mourning of the late Queen Mother would not affect their New Year travel plans, as the two largest events in Bangkok – hosted by Iconsiam and CentralWorld – are still confirmed.
She said most festive events in Thailand would proceed as scheduled, with additional tributes included to commemorate the late Queen Mother in a respectful and elegant manner.
However, because some planned fireworks shows in Bangkok share the same location as the royal funeral, Ms Thapanee said the agency still needed to discuss the most appropriate solution.
For provincial countdown events, she said fireworks can proceed as usual, as the government has clearly stated it has not imposed a ban on private celebrations or entertainment events.
As well, Ms Thapanee said the Vijit Chao Phraya illumination show has been rescheduled to run from Nov 9 to Dec 23, while Loy Krathong festivals on Nov 5 would continue as planned.