Pattaya’s week-long countdown to the New Year ticks off its final seconds Saturday with explosives and a Bodyslam.
Pattaya Countdown 2012 began Christmas night with daily concerts, fireworks and a half-million people expected to visit town for the shows and a Beach Road street market. Countdown epicenter, Bali Hai Pier, was decked out with holiday decorations with art exhibitions mixed in with the music.
City officials light the Christmas tree at Bali Hai pier, officially starting the weeklong countdown to 2012.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and Chonburi Gov. Khomsan Ekachai launched festivities Dec. 25 with lighting of the city Christmas tree. Performers AB Normal and 25 Hours kicked off the week’s playbill of top-name Thai artists, including Ice Saranyu, Joey Boy, Shin Shinnavut, Singh Nheui, Thaitanium, Instinct, Sei Tai, Big Ass, Potato, Yingyong Yodbuangarm, Apaporn Nakhornsawan and Girly Berry.
The finale, Dec. 31, will feature rockers Bodyslam along with Tono Ritkun, Klear, and Kala in a concert to be televised nationally on Channel 3. Tickets are still available for 1,000 baht.
Itthiphol said the annual Countdown, cosponsored by the Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization and the Grammy music label, is a major event for the city that not only drives huge revenues for the week, but also enhances the reputation of the city as a world-class tourist destination.
All hotels and entertainment venues throughout town will be holding exciting events, culminating in a grand fireworks display that will span the length of the beach. Since bars and entertainment venues are allowed to stay open until 6 a.m. on Christmas and New Year’s Eve, expect the partying to continue well into the wee hours of the morning.
