Thailand celebrates the New Year amid Omicron fears

[webfact]

New Year countdown celebration at Bangkok’s Iconsiam

 

Fireworks burst across the skies of Thailand last night (Friday), as several provinces celebrated the arrival of the New Year, amid fears of the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

 

Although the Thai government had asked for cooperation by cancelling countdown events, many prime locations across Bangkok, which had been granted prior permission from authorities, continued with their events, albeit with more stringent COVID-19 measures.

 

Bangkok’s “Iconsiam” shopping complex, one of the largest countdown events in the capital, saw a display of as many as30,000 fireworks along the Chao Phraya River, while a number of preventive measures were imposed, from sanitising the area to limiting the number of visitors. Visitors also had to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccinations and were tested with antigen tests before they entered the venue. Only those with event bracelets and tickets are allowed in.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-celebrates-the-new-year-amid-omicron-fears/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-01

 

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[mahtin]

Fear of what?

[thaibook]

We drove to Ayuthaya (from central Bangkok) for the Amazing Thailand Countdown.  Tight access - needed negative test + double vaccination to get in - and probably therefore very few people, about 200 within the grounds plus 100 officials of various descriptions.  A good show, music, dancing, Kon, choir, and very good fireworks.  We were given 5 x 20 Baht coupons each to spend on the stands within th eenclosure mainly selling traditional Thai food and drink (no alcohol).  At least with so few people getting out of town at the end was quick.

 

Driving from Bangkok att eh end of the elevated expressway there were signs saying the road lights would not be switched on because the lamps had been stolen.  Indeed on the way back it was dark.  Seems quite extraordinary - one would need a crane to reach the lamps, unless they were stolen before they could be installed.  Has anyone seen notices of similar thefts?

[hotchilli]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

Although the Thai government had asked for cooperation by cancelling countdown events, many prime locations across Bangkok, which had been granted prior permission from authorities, continued with their events, albeit with more stringent COVID-19 measures.

Around me in Mueang area of Nakhon Pathom the fireworks fest lit-up the skies for a full 30 minutes...

many must have been organised due to the firework size...

But also I noticed a lot of home based fireworks too.

Didn't see any reduction in venues setting off the illumination shows.

 

[KhunLA]

A New Year, and a new 'flavor / virus' of the month.  A hybrid ... exciting stuff

 

.....  Flurona  ....

 

Let the fear monging, and another shot sales promo begin ... ????

 

OK, not a new virus, just a 'dual' infection  ...  surely they'll milk it for all the profits they can.   Booster # 5 - 6 - 7

 

Falls in line with whatever they can come up with to increase sales.  This follows “Delmicron,”  Another snappy name, another reason for another booster.

 

Edited January 3, 2022 by KhunLA