Countdown 2010 - Celebrating the New Year in the City of Angles

"Where are we going to celebrate the New Year this year?" is the common question that takes place when the end of the year is approaching. If you are in Thailand for the New Year then you are fortunate as there is one certain thing Thais know how to do and that is celebration. Thailand is actually one of the few countries in the world that celebrates a New Year three times a year! The Chinese New Year is celebrated in February, Songkran Festival or the traditional Thai New Year in April and the western New Year affords a great reason to have fun. Bangkok really offers a jovial experience, thus let's make this yearend festivity a complete New Year phenomenon. Leave the old year behind and herald the new one with friends and families.

As with many hectic cities worldwide, celebrating New Year's Eve in the City of Angels can be extremely gratifying. Each of the New Year countdown celebrations has its own charisma so you can be sure to find something to fulfill your preferences. Whether it is traditional, contemporary and stage performances, world music, clubs and pubs or simply by the glorious Chao Phraya River, there are ample entertainment options to take you right through to the countdown when firework displays magically light up the sky. Afterward the party continues on into the early hours. The center of Christmas and New Year celebrations in Bangkok is the Ratchaprasong Intersection, home to CentralWorld, Gaysorn Plaza and Erawan Bangkok.

All through this remarkable Bangkok shopping vicinity, along Ratchaprasong, Ratchadamri and Ploenchit around the Chitlom area, the streets are draped in a gleaming light display that would compete that of nearly any western city. Colorful chains of lights are strung across the roads from buildings and street lights, not to mention the tall Christmas trees with plenty of pretty decorations. You can also relish a long row of palm trees with their trunks wrapped in lights and still more lights strung from the branches. So as to best enjoy these sites, it is always superb to combine viewing the decorations with shopping. The choice and diversity of stores and products sold is so astonishing and the holiday sales make for even greater value.

Should you yearn for reveling the New Year in public or outdoors then the Bangkok Countdown is grandly held at Bangkok's CentralWorld. The event typically magnetizes a myriad of people with the party focused on Ratchaprasong Intersection right in front of CentralWorld on Ratchadamri Road. An emphasis includes breathtaking light-and-sound multimedia shows and live on-stage performances by renowned Thai artists, actors and performers. You can too marvel at the perfect atmosphere, be part of a global TV audience as well as delight in the beer garden, lucky draws and countdown to 2010 with other countries around the world. The city's governor and other leaders will also bless the coming year. The event is broadcast live.

Those who do not fancy big outdoor crowns can head for one of Bangkok's chic and stylish clubs where parties are bound to blow up. The younger crowns usually visit places around Silom Road and RCA. It will be quite amusing, boisterous and perspiring as these venues get packed to the max and party hard. Besides, there are numerous smaller bars and fine restaurants around Khaosan Road. These dinning spots present an extensive range of entertainment to satiate the international tastes. The club scene in Bangkok is as well excellent. If it is high class sophistication or a hip club, you can find it all provided with that hospitable Thai mood. The live music scene is top class. Thai musicians deliver a performance to match any band.

Several leading hotels in Bangkok meanwhile proffer something a little quieter. They have shows or parties organized. The marvelous places to make for are on the Chao Phraya River. Here the ambiance is more private with a sumptuous gala dinner, light entertainment and dazzling views of fireworks displays over the city's sky. By the riverside is one of the best places to be in Bangkok, but how about being on the river? There are various dinner cruises on the Chao Phraya River where you can rejoice a silent and romantic New Year's Eve dinner away from the throngs and in the best possible vantage point for admiring the fireworks. Bear in mind that both hotel parties and dinner cruises are well-liked and require advance booking.

Not only in Bangkok, but also across the country you will find celebrations that send out the past year and welcome the New Year in their own outstanding style. How about the next day? No doubt there will be some consequences from the previous night's event, but you can always indulge yourself in one of the delectable New Year's Day buffet brunches at some of the famous hotels especially if you overslept and missed breakfast. This is a fabulous way to start the first day of 2010 that will make you feel a whole lot revitalized. Or you can kick off the New Year's Day with nice day shopping at one of Bangkok's fantastic shopping malls such as CentralWorld, Central Chidlom, Siam Paragon and The Emporium, to mention just a few.

For the sake of absolute relaxation and rejuvenation to begin your New Year spoil yourself at a spa. The pampering treatments at one of the city's lavish spas would stimulate your senses as well as enable your body and spirit to chill out to the utmost. Assorted high-end hotels also have their own spa sanctuaries and you cannot go wrong here.

Otherwise you can seek retreat in one of Bangkok's nail boutiques or massage shops to luxuriate in a healing foot massage. Whilst being immersed in the world of indulgence you will be enchanted by the professional staff to nurture you with a smile and cater to your every personalized session, nothing seems to be much trouble. This is a terrific escape to start the day with a great treat.

In a more traditional and cultured manner to greet the New Year, lots of Thais drop by the nearby temples for merit-making to ensure a bright and prosperous New Year. Many major provinces including Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Krabi organize the celebrations on New Year's Day in a grand religious style in the early morning. Also, with half and the regular Bangkok crowd upcountry visiting family or on vacation, it can be a good occasion to relax and tour Bangkok with attractions a little less jam-packed than usual.

Whatever you choose or whatever you are looking for at Christmas decorations, shopping, spas, special meals and celebrations, it is all available here in Bangkok. Enjoy yourself and Happy New Year 2010!