The annual Pattaya Countdown kicked off Christmas night bigger than ever, with more than 15,000 sq. meters of performance space and 300 artists scheduled to appear by New Year’s Eve.
Pattaya is spending 45 million baht for the Dec. 25-31 festival at Bali Hai Pier themed “Be Happy. Be Together.” City officials estimated Pattaya Countdown 2015 draw 500,000 people and generate 1.8 billion baht for the city.
“The annual highlight event of Pattaya always has been Pattaya Countdown, which every year sees Pattaya visited by more than 450,000 domestic and international tourists,” said Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome.
“This year, the president of the Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization and I see a strong chance that there will more tourists than any previous year coming to join the event, so we have extended the venue space for a bigger stage equipped with full concert lighting, color and sound for performances by more than 30 famous bands including, Body Slam, Slot Machine, 25 Hours, Potato, Big Ass, Da Endorphine, Buddha Bless, Paradox, Rock Rider, Getsunova, Lomosonic, and more.”
City Hall will coordinate security using sailors from the Sattahip Naval Base to supplement Pattaya police, volunteers and tourist police to secure the event for seven nights. There are also medical teams, ambulances, cleaners, mobile toilets and a fire brigade ready to support the event.
Parking is available at Chaimongkol Temple, Pattaya School No. 8, Royal Garden Plaza and Central Festival Pattaya Beach.
New Year’s Eve will see a 10-minute fireworks performance, anchoring pyrotechnics shows all along the coast. More than 200,000 people are expected to see the fireworks, Kunplome said.
For each of the 7 days, the city will block off traffic on Third Road from the bridge leading to Bali Hai Pier from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., preventing vehicles to go up the bridge. But Thappraya and Third Road will still be available as well as Pratamnak and Beach Road.
The Dec. 31 Pattaya Countdown show will be shown on Thairath TV from 10:15 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. with two million viewers expected to tune in.
Chonburi PAO President Wittaya Kunplome said Pattaya tourism contributes 8 billion baht to Thailand’s economy, due in large part to its many festivals.
“Festivals held in Pattaya help lift the local economy and when the economy is improved it will lead to further development of other things such as facilities, shops, entertainment venues to support tourists from all over the world,” Wittaya said. (PR City Hall)
