Min of Tourism and Sports to hold New Year Celebrations at Siam Paragon

BANGKOK, 29 December 2015 (NNT)-Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul says a New Year celebration campaign entitled ‘Siam Celebration 2016’ will increase the popularity of Thailand among globe trotters.

The Tourism and Sports Minister said the celebration will be held on the theme ‘Thailand Celebrates the Opening of the ASEAN Community’. It will be held in front of Siam Paragon with the aim being to promote tourism in the capital city during the New Year holidays.

Siam Square will also become a place for revelers to start counting down on New Year’s Eve. More than 2 million LED light bulbs will be used to decorate both sides of the street from Chaloem Pao Intersection all the way to Siam Paragon.

There will also be an LED board which will display the words ‘Happy New Year’ in the 10 languages spoken in the ASEAN. The Tourism and Sports Minister is confident more foreigners will come to know more about Thailand.

As for tourist safety, the Royal Thai Police will deploy police officers to various areas of Bangkok and other provinces to safeguard Thais and foreigners during the special New Year event.


-- NNT 2015-12-29

But, TAT is holding it at Wat Arun. Did TAT and MOTS get divorced?

First question, what in Buddha's name does sports have to do with tourism, apart from golf travel?

Tourism celebration at a shopping mall? Now there is commercialism at work, but how much did Siam Paragon fork over for the privilege? Do they think tourists don't have shopping malls where they came from? Is there no oversight or do Thai ministries trickle up the proceeds?