Da Endorphin entertains the crowd
on New Year’s Day at Bali Hai Pier.
Warunya Thongrod
While tens of thousands counted down to 2014 at Bali Hai Pier, even more
tourists rang in the New Year at Pattaya hotels, which rolled out finery,
banquets and even jungle rhythms for the evening.
At the Mata Hari and Dusit Thani resorts, employees were dressed to the nines as
the hotels brought out their best silverware for New Year’s dinners. The Dusit’s
Napalai Ballroom hosted the Gold & White Countdown, playing on the ideals of
gold as symbols of prosperity and white as purity. The resort got some guests
off to a prosperous start, awarding lucky-draw gifts throughout the evening.
Things got a bit wilder at the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort, which hosted a
“jungle night” with three musical stages and games for children.
The cultures of Thailand, Japan, India and China were showcased at the Amari
Orchid Resort & Tower’s New Year’s Eve celebration, with tables, food and
employees costumes reflecting the culture’s of the hotel’s top tourist groups.
Seafood took center stage at the nautical-themed A-One Royal Cruise Hotel, which
also put on a musical by children and a lucky draw.
The Hard Rock Hotel held true to its roots, hosting its own New Year’s Rockin’
Eve, complete with laser dance show, fluorescent costumes and black lights.
The Sheraton Pattaya Resort on Pratamnak Hill celebrated with a gala buffet on
the beach, along with a light & sound show and dancing on the beach into the
late hours. The Sheraton also offered a great place to watch the now famous
Pattaya fireworks.
Hotels didn’t have the monopoly on celebrations, however. Pattaya Deputy Mayor
Ronakit Ekasingh ushered in the New Year at Central Festival Pattaya Beach with
General Manager Theeraporn Jitnawa.
The mall put on performances by pole dancers, a “light dance,” drawings and
games. Crowds joined together to sing New Year’s songs, bringing both Thai and
foreign tourists together.
Big Ass sings with their thousands of
fans at Pattaya Countdown 2014.
Pod from Modern Dog reaches out to
his fans.
Kwang from Abnormal gets up close
and personal with the fans at Pattaya’s Countdown to 2014 stage at Bali Hai.
Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort
Pattaya General Manager Robert John Lohrmann (2nd left), gives a warm welcome to
Patricia Good (right), popular TV actress and her family during the countdown in
the jungle at Centara.
Mantra staff adds Chinese charm to
the restaurant.
Richard Margo, RM of Amari Orchid,
Pattaya, enjoys ringing in the New Year with his family at the Mantra restaurant
and bar.
What is this tiger drawing on my
hand?
Pattaya Mail’s Tony Malhotra (left)
and Sarah Nitikarn (right), public relations manager for Amari Orchid Resort
Pattaya, emcee the evening at the Amari Orchid Resort Pattaya.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh (3rd
right), with Theeraporn Jitnawa (center), general manager of Central Festival
Pattaya Beach, and sponsors cheer the arrival of 2014 at Central Festival
Pattaya Beach.
Thai Garden Resort welcomes in the
New Year with a lion and dragon performance.
“Wish” doing magic tricks at the
Sunken Lane in Central Festival Pattaya Beach.
Happy faces celebrate New
Year’s Eve at the Thai Garden Resort.
Mata Hari restaurant celebrates New
Year’s Eve in fancy costumes.
Fans of Bank Clash reach up to shake
his hand.
Fireworks climax Pattaya Countdown
2014.
3 … 2 … 1 … Happy New Year!
Shops and hotels send out fireworks
all over Pattaya to celebrate the arrival of 2014.
It’s lucky draw time at the A-ONE
Royal Cruise Hotel.
Rampad performs a Thai cultural
dance.
The Witch and Cowgirl serve cocktails
at Mata Hari.
Tomo Kuriyama, GM of the Sheraton
Pattaya Resort, welcomes guests to the fabulous festivities there.
Matthew Carley, manager, along with
Hard Rock Cafe staff, present the familiar Hard Rock pose on New Year’s Eve.
Amari Orchid Pattaya staff dress in
Mystery of Asia Chinese and Indian outfits for the Countdown to 2014 party.
Fireworks glow brightly over the
Sheraton Pattaya when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Professional dancers liven the night
at the Sheraton Pattaya.
The Electric Light Man busts some
moves at the Hard Rock Pattaya.
Welcome to the Gold & White Countdown
at Dusit Thani Hotel, Pattaya.
Children dance at the Centara Grand
Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya.
It’s thumbs up for the New Year cake
at Dusit Thani Hotel, Pattaya.
