Bangkok, 10 November 2023 – Thailand is celebrating five iconic year-end events as one big celebration, the Thailand Winter Festival, and is extending an invitation to tourists from around the world to come experience the vibrancy of Bangkok and mark the beginning of New Year 2024 in Thailand.
The Thailand Winter Festival officially opened today at the Thai Government House in a prominent event presided over by Thailand’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister, H.E.Mr. Srettha Thavisin, who is also the Chairman of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee.
Joining the Prime Minister in announcing the grand year-end celebration were Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Deputy Chairwoman of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee, and officials and figures from the Ministries of Tourism and Sports, and Culture, as well as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
Ms. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Minister of Tourism and Sports, said “The Thailand Winter Festival is a true reflection of the Thai government’s commitment to boost the Thai economy through tourism while promoting Thai soft powers and elevating Thai events and festivals to a global scale.”
The Thailand Winter Festival is made up of the Loi Krathong Festival, Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok, Amazing Thailand Passport Privileges, Vijit Chao Phraya, and Amazing Thailand Countdown.
Organised by TAT in cooperation with the public and private sector partners, these events are scheduled between this November and December with dates for the Amazing Thailand Passport Privileges continue through to mid-February.
The grand celebration will kick off this month with the Delightful Colours of the River, Loi Krathong Celebrations 2023. From 24-28 November, the charming environs of Bangkok’s Padung Krung Kasem Canal will be lit up with bright and colourful displays of Loi Krathong celebrations distinctive to Chiang Mai, Roi Et, Samut Songkhram, Sukhothai, and Tak, while the exciting ambiance of the Chao Phraya River will be livened up with night-time illumination. Also taking place in the Thai capital is the Bangkok River Festival 2023 and ICONSIAM Chao Phraya River of Eternal Prosperity.
Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said “TAT is annually staging a special Loi Krathong celebration in Bangkok to showcase a glimpse of how Loi Krathong, which is one of Thailand’s most impressive cultural events, is celebrated distinctively in different parts of the country. Our aim is to inspire Thai and foreign tourists to head to various provinces to enjoy Loi Krathong in a traditional setting.”
The month of December 2023 promises to be vibrant and eventful with four special events.
The Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2023 on 3 December will showcase Thailand’s ability to host world-class sporting events. Recognised by the World Athletics as one of Asia’s top 3 world-class athletic events, the event in its sixth edition is expected to be attended by some 30,000 runners from all over the world.
TAT is also working with strategic partners under the Amazing Thailand Passport Privileges to offer promotions, privileges, and benefits for tourists from 1 December this year to 15 February next year.
The ‘Vijit Chao Phraya’ lighting extravaganza in its second year will take place throughout the month of December in Bangkok. The event promises to amaze and delight tourists and spectators with enchanting night-time illumination, light shows, projection mapping displays, and cultural performances along both sides of the mighty Chao Phraya River.
The extravagant light-up event will culminate in the Amazing Thailand Countdown 2024 at Wat Arun, where TAT is preparing for an unforgettable night of exhilarating New Year’s Eve fireworks, light shows, and cultural performances. The event will underscore the image of Thailand as the Global Countdown Destination and Bangkok, which made CNN’s top 10 list of great places to ring in the New Year. Other locations in the Thai capital to celebrate New Year include ICONSIAM, Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, and Siam Square.
“The Thailand Winter Festival represents a form of creative tourism to promote Thai soft powers and experience-based tourism. The event is strategically timed during the high season as part of Thailand’s invitation to tourists from around the world to come and enjoy the pleasant weather and vibrant festivals at various destinations up and down the country,” Ms. Thapanee concluded.
