By the time the smoke clears shortly after midnight on Jan. 1, about a half million people will have attended the ongoing Pattaya Countdown, generating 1.2 billion baht for the city, Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome said.
Speaking before the three-day music festival that concludes Friday night, Itthiphol said that Pattaya Countdown 2016 remains a huge draw for tourists, even though it was shortened this year to three days from the usual seven.
Officials take to the stage to announce they expect around 500,000 people to attend this year’s countdown to 2016.
The festival continues Dec. 30 with Sweet Mullet taking the stage first at Bali Hai Pier, with Big Ass and Slot Machine following.
The New Year’s Eve finale will see music begin at 8.30pm with Klear, followed by Instinct, and Bank Cash. The year 2016 will begin with after-midnight shows by Buddha Bless and Labanopon “Suksa Nari”.
Tourism Authority of Thailand Pattaya office Director Suladda Sarutilavan said hotels expected to be packed from Dec. 31 to Jan. 4. The TAT’s database shows that, despite the shorter festival, the number of unique visitors will not fall below last year.
Most attendees at the festival will be Thai, mixed in with Russian, Chinese and other foreign tourists, she said.
