Int'l visitors welcome to TAT countdown along Chao Phraya River

BANGKOK, December 30 (TNA) - International visitors are welcome to a grand countdown to the 2016 New Year along the Chao Phraya River near the Grand Palace in Bangkok, to be organised by the state-run Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn told journalists on December 29 that the TAT's Thailand Countdown 2016 event will be held along the Chao Phraya River on Maharaj Road, covering a walking street from Nagaraphirom Park to Chetuphon Road, in which international visitors will have their own personal touches on the traditional Thai ways of life and enjoy shopping of a variety of quality community products under the Thai government-supported One Tambon, One Product (OTOP) Scheme, and spectacular light and sound shows. Yuthasak said the TAT grand countdown event is also aimed to promote the Thai tourism and to help stimulate the national economy. According to the TAT governor, highlights of the grand countdown event include a light and sound show on the Epic of the Land with the Temple of the Dawn being its backdrop, together with an orchestra, which will be finished by 10pm, timely for Buddhists to participate in a New Year prayers and meditation countdown, as well as a display of 5,500 sets of fireworks and other show on stages in the middle of the river thereafter. Meanwhile, Sugree Sithivanich, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, foresaw active New Year celebrations throughout Thailand, estimating that about 1.25 billion baht should be changed hands during the ongoing New Year 2016 celebrations nationwide and the number of New Year revelers should reach 2.6 million during December 30, 2015-January 3, 2016, 2.25 of them should be Thais and the rest should be foreigners. (TNA)