Government Cancels Countdown Celebrations

[camerata]

According to 105FM news, the government has cancelled New Year countdown celebrations and is urging the private sector to do the same. No other details available.

[Foggy Bottom]

Boss Woman at my local in Chiangmai said the same thing last night - but she is too far into preparing a mega-party to cancel - I agreed

We need opportunity to let off steam and relieve stress and worries

Grieving should be done privately with support from those closest

[chuchok]

I've always thought that NYE was just another night on the turps anyway. I hope that people do celebrate and support the Thai economy, esp the bars and clubs that are open down south.

[sabaijai]

What I've heard on Thai TV news today and yesterday is that the public sector is cancelling celebrations to conserve budgets for assistance to tsunmai victims, but that the private sector is in fact encouraged to carry on as usual so as not to compound the negative economic effects of the disaster.

[joebuzzard]

From The Nation, Page A3

YEAR-END REVELRY: Govt cancels celebrations

Published on December 29, 2004

Public urged to don black to mourn mass loss of life in South

New Year’s celebrations by both public and private sectors will turn into national days of remembrance for the victims of Sunday’s tsunamis.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Cabinet members appeared yesterday at Government House dressed in black.

“We would also like to call on people to wear black in memory of all the dead victims,” government spokesman Jakrapob Penkair said.

The Cabinet ordered all flags to fly at half mast for three days until tomorrow and urged temples and shrines across the country to hold rites for the thousands of dead.

All government agencies will give up their New Year parties and Thaksin will cancel his appearances at countdown celebrations.

“We can’t force the private sector to scrap their parties, but we will encourage them to do so,” Jakrapob said.

RS Promotion Plc said it would turn its countdown party at Rajamangala National Stadium into an event aimed at comforting the victims and their relatives.

Memorial events will replace New Year’s Eve parties at Bangkok’s Central World Plaza and in Phuket as well as the one in Chiang Mai organised by Channel 7 and Advance Information Service (AIS).

AIS has abandoned its plan for countdown festivities in the beach resort of Pattaya, while Total Access Communication Plc (DTAC) is calling off its Happy Festival scheduled for today till Friday at Rama VIII Bridge.

“We would like to apologise to those who planned to join the festival. Our cancellation is intended to allow people to focus their energies on the needs of victims in the South,” DTAC co-CEO Vichai Bencharongkakul said. The mobile phone operator has set up a centre to receive donations for victims at its head office in the Chai Building in Bangkok.

[camerata]

I didn't see many people wearing black during the 3 days of national mourning. Driving through Sukhumvit near midnight last night, the beer bars looked pretty busy but it wasn't like a normal year.