Monkeys see, monkeys party

NEW YEAR’S EVE is fast approaching and Bangkok is as ever hosting a range of parties that revellers certainly won’t want to miss. 

As ever, the biggest bash is being held at CentralWorld and in honour of the year’s Chinese zodiac character, the theme is “Monkey in the Electric Jungle”.

“We’ve been organising the countdown at CentralWorld for 15 years and today the party is recognised internationally as one of the best in the world. It’s grown bigger every year and this year, with the support of Advanced Info Service and Index Creative Village, it is bigger still, boasting a main stage that’s more than 80 metres long and with more colourful decorations and sophisticated light and sound system. The monkey will figure prominently in the countdown from 10 and we believe it will be the most original countdown in Thailand. Definitely, the best party will be at CentralWorld,” says Nathakit Tangphunsinthana, the assistant president of marketing for Central Pattana.

“In addition to the excellent stage production and the light and sound system, this year’s countdown will feature the country’s top artists. Bodyslam will be here, as well as Pongsak “Aof” Ratanaphong, Pongkool “Pop” Suebsung of Calories Blah Blah and many more. We have every intention of making this year’s countdown the best in Asia. And thanks to the countdown’s international fame, we will also be drawing lots of foreign visitors,” he says.

Kriangkan “Mok” Kanjanapokin, co-chief executive officer of Index Creative Village, also has no doubt that the party will be the best in Thailand and indeed in Asia.

 “We have created a countdown culture at CentralWorld with the crowd counting down from 10 to 0 to the sound of a very Thai musical rhythm. This year to usher in the year of the monkey, we will have everyone jumping together at the end of the countdown. We will start counting down after the Thai-style rhythm tueng tueng poh tueng tueng and the foreign tourists can easily follow along even without knowing the Thai language or music. I know visitors will enjoy the tradition,” Mok continues.

The area for the countdown will be decorated with a facade and a giant LED screen measuring 1,400 square metres – bigger than eight volleyball courts – on which the countdowns in other parts of the world will also be shown.

“Ratchaprasong has shopping centres and five-star hotels to support at least 500,000 people,” adds Chai Srivikorn, president of Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA).

“This year will definitely be better than ever with several activities taking place on this street on and around New Year. We have also put security measures into place to assure the safety of visitors and revellers. Right now we are playing host to a fabulous light show called ‘Thailand the Kingdom of Light’, with lighting designers showing their works all around Ratchaprasong. It includes ‘Skywalk – The Garden of Light’, for which the Skywalk has been turned into five tunnels of light using different colours. The show runs until January 5.” 

For their part, the police too are working hard to avoid traffic snarls. “We have a solid traffic management plan in place covering Ratchaprasong to Rajvithee Road. It will be safe,” a police officer assures XP.

There’s no admission charge and even those who can’t make it to the party needn’t miss out. “Thailand Countdown 2016” will be broadcast live on 3SD Channel 28 from 6pm until 1.30am.

A few levels up from the countdown venue, GMM Live House on the eighth floor of CentralWorld is hosting the “White Party” – the world’s largest gay dance music festival – from New Year’s Eve through January 2.

“This is first time the White Party Festival has travelled outside of the US and we are delighted that it is making its Asian debut in Thailand,” says Blue Satittammanoon, who ran the Celebrities Nightclub in Canada for 10 years and has also worked with Jeffrey Sanker, the founder and producer of White Party at Palm Springs.

The three-day festival features three different themes for four rounds. On New Year’s Eve, partygoers are invited to dress as they please and simply party the night away to DJ sets headlined by DJ Grind and Toy Armada and enjoy a special show by international drag sensation Flava.

New Year’s day party features a “Jock Ball” at Cloud 47 on Silom Road with partygoers invited to wear sportswear or sexy gym clothes. It features the Perry Twins from Los Angeles and a special performance by Thailand’s very own Pangina Heals.

In the evening, the action returns to GMM Live House for the “Military Ball”, a military-themed event powered by Andrew Christian and featuring spins from Spanish DJ Ivan Gomez and Thailand’s Danny Dee.

The main event, the “White Party”, takes place on January 2 and is being billed as a “massive sound and spectacular state-of-the-art production”. Barcelona superstar Nacho Chapado and DJ Spectrum K are manning the decks and the headline act is Kazaky, a Ukraine synth-pop boybandmade up of Kyryll Fedorenko, Artur Gaspar and Artemy Lazarev. The group is famous for their elaborate, acrobatic and spectacular choreography routines, which feature perfectly synchronised and complex dancing moves executed on high heels.

“We want everyone to actively participate and dress up. The White Party Festival at Palm Springs has a theme of underwear,” Blue giggles.

“It’s going to be a blast. We have people flying in from South Korea and Taiwan flying in to see Kazaky.” 

“Thailand is really an entertainment hub.”

For tickets, check www.whitepartybangkok.com.

South Korean superstar Rain helps Thai fans ring in 2016 at the hip new hangout Oasis Outdoor Arena on Rama IX Road on New Year’s Eve.

Organised by Bangkok-based DC Entertaining with the support of the Tourism Authority of Thailand “Show DC Countdown to 2016 in Thailand” also features K-Pop sensation Beast, DJs Schedule and Jiyong and Thai spinners Platong Thanyanan Thongsrithanawong from “The Voice Thailand” and DJ Nui from EFM. 

“The just-opened outdoor arena offers a rich mix of retailing and food and beverages with spectacular entertainment facilities,” says Chayaditt Hutanuwatra, chairman of Show DC Corp.

“We expect the performance zone will mostly attract local visitors. However, the creative market is likely to appeal to both local and foreign visitors as a relaxed chill-out place with lots of art and fun.”

For tickets, check www. ThaiTicketMajor.com.