Over 500,000 people expected to join New Year's countdown in Bangkok's prime area

BANGKOK, December 24 (TNA) - \More than 500,000 people are expected to show up for the upcoming New Year's countdown at the Ratchaprasong Intersection in the heart of Bangkok, a 35 per cent increase from last year. Chai Srivikorn, President of the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association, made the assessment on Tuesday, saying that more than five million baht has, thus, been invested in state-of-the-art security systems in commercial zones around the Ratchaprasong Intersection. Chai revealed that 1,200 police officers and 60 bomb experts will also be deployed to secure the areas during the upcoming New Year countdown activities. According to the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association chief, the state-of-the-art security systems have been arranged so that both Thai and foreign visitors will comfortably visit the areas. The Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association's president acknowledged that he has monitored the domestic political situation and considered it does not affect tourism in the New Year festival.(TNA)