New Year's Eve in Bangkok: fireworks and where to celebrate

Bangkok celebrates 31 December in a big way: fireworks go off from dozens of sites, from the river to the shopping centres, and two giant countdowns gather hundreds of thousands of people, at ICONSIAM on the Thonburi bank and at CentralWorld, at the Ratchaprasong intersection. This guide covers the places to see midnight, quieter alternatives and the precautions to take: crowds, transport and bookings. The programme for the 2026-2027 New Year's Eve is announced in the autumn; the information below draws on the previous edition and on the city's habits. Check the venues' official programmes before booking.

The big countdowns

ICONSIAM, on the river

ICONSIAM seen from the Chao Phraya

ICONSIAM hosts the big New Year's Eve show, with fireworks, drones and concerts facing the Chao Phraya. In the 2025-2026 edition, the "Amazing Thailand Countdown" ran from 27 to 31 December; the 2026-2027 format had not been announced at the time of writing. The simplest way to get there is the free shuttle boat from the Sathorn pier (Saphan Taksin), but it is overloaded in the evening: plan to arrive early.

CentralWorld and Ratchaprasong

The Ratchaprasong intersection, in front of CentralWorld, hosts the city's biggest countdown every 31 December: concert stage, giant screens and fireworks fired from the rooftops. The surrounding streets are closed to traffic in the evening. From BTS Chit Lom, National Stadium or Siam, everything is on foot, in the middle of the crowd.

Watching fireworks another way

Asiatique and the riverbanks

Asiatique The Riverfront at night

Asiatique The Riverfront and several other sites along the Chao Phraya river offer fireworks and a more relaxed atmosphere than the two big countdowns. The city authorises about twenty firing sites for New Year's Eve; the lists are published in December by the Bangkok city hall.

From a boat, a rooftop or a terrace

Dinner cruises on the Chao Phraya and rooftop bars offer set-menu evenings with a view of the fireworks; they must be booked several weeks ahead and prices are well above normal. See our guide to shows and cruises and to Bangkok at night. For a free view, the Sky Park walkway closes in the evening (8 pm according to several sources), so it does not work for midnight.

Temples

On the evening of 31 December many Thais go to a temple for offerings and prayers; Wat Arun and Wat Pho are closed at night, but neighbourhood temples stay open. Respect the dress code.

Practical tips

Crowds: arrive two to three hours before midnight for a good spot; keep your belongings in front of you.
Transport: plan your return. Taxis and ride-hailing cars are scarce and expensive just after midnight; the last BTS and MRT times are sometimes extended for the occasion (check the official sites).
Hotels: rooms near Ratchaprasong or the river are booked months ahead.
Alcohol: alcohol sales remain regulated; 1 January is a public holiday. For the rules of the night, see Bangkok at night.
Weather: late December is the cool, dry season, the best of the year; see the best time to visit Bangkok.

For the rest of the season, our guide to Christmas in Bangkok covers the lights that come before New Year's Eve.