Bangkok (Thailand) – January 2, 2019 (travelindex.com) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand and Iconsiam Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Iconsiam Residence Corporation Ltd., Iconsiam Superlux Residence Corporation Ltd., and the largest alliance of public and private organizations, including the Association of Chao Phraya Commerce, the Shipping Authority, Siam Commercial Bank, TRUE Corporation Public Company Limited, Kasikorn Bank, the Thai Shipping Association, Bangkok River Partners, and the Chao Phraya Riverside Communities, organized the “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2019.” The spectacular fireworks display, the largest ever held on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, was watched by over one million spectators. Themed “The River of Glory,” the New Year’s celebration is a mega riverside event born from the pioneering collaboration of the Thai people, aiming to revitalize the world-famous Chao Phraya River as a national landmark and global tourist destination. Experience the longest environmentally friendly fireworks display ever staged along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, stretching over 1.4 km; admire the epic masked performance "Khone" in the grand episode of "Rama Returns to Rule the City"; enjoy an extensive program featuring cultural artists and top-class singers from Thailand and abroad on stage to celebrate Thailand's entry into the New Year 2019 at the "River Park" plaza on the Iconsiam riverbank.

According to Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), “Every year we organize exceptional events to celebrate the New Year and strengthen Thailand’s position as a great travel destination. This year’s event will be particularly spectacular. It will take place in five different provinces: Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Phanom, Ratchaburi, and Satun. Together with Iconsiam and the largest consortium of public and private sector organizations, the ‘Amazing Thailand Countdown 2019’ in Bangkok is exceptional in many ways. The event will be held on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, right in the heart of Bangkok, showcasing the charm, tranquility, and lifestyle of the surrounding communities. I am confident that all tourists and visitors will find participation to be an enriching experience. The ‘Amazing Thailand Countdown 2019’ is an important step for our country in positioning itself as a global travel destination.”

Ms. Pasinee Limatibul, Chairwoman of Iconsiam Co., Ltd., adds: “We are honored to have been selected by the TAT and proud to have co-organized the ‘Amazing Thailand Countdown 2019’ with the TAT and other major partners from the public and private sectors. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved for working together to create this truly impressive countdown to the night. I am confident that the ‘Amazing Thailand Countdown 2019’ will celebrate the splendor of the Chao Phraya River and that its radiance will light up the eyes of Thais and foreigners alike.”

Here are the highlights of the upcoming "Amazing Thailand Countdown 2019," which can be experienced by over a million people along the river and beyond. The fireworks are made from Thai sticky rice and are considered an environmentally friendly innovation. The gigantic fireworks display, themed "The River of Glory," illustrates the history of the Chao Phraya River and its significance to the way of life, traditions, and legends of Siam (modern-day Thailand). The five-minute display will be performed at five different bends in the river. It features the longest fireworks display ever shown on the Chao Phraya, stretching over 1.4 km. The show consists of five acts.

– The first act – “The River of Prosperity” is a firework display in silver, gold, and bronze, ignited sequentially. According to popular belief, these three elements symbolize prosperity. Therefore, the first second of the new year is meant to make the Chao Phraya River shine brightly, beautifully, peacefully, and as prosperously as it has been throughout the years.

– The second act – “The Treasure of Siam” is a dazzling display of diverse forms and colors, reflecting the close connection between our traditions, our way of life, and the Chao Phraya River. The river was not only essential for people's daily lives but also served as a transportation route, a shipping lane for diplomatic corps establishing diplomatic relations with Siam, a trade route since the Ayutthaya period, a site for religious rites, and an attractive backdrop that captures the imagination of foreign tourists and generates revenue for our country.

The third act – “The Blossom of Joy” – is a spectacular fireworks display that delights in many ways. It is accompanied by Thai folk songs that reflect our unique character as a joyful, friendly, and ever-smiling people. Every foreign tourist who visits Thailand and experiences the event at Iconsiam, for example, will be impressed by the hospitality of the Thai people. Such an impression is enough to begin a happy new year on the Chao Phraya, the lifeblood of Thailand.

– The fourth act – “One World” is a firework display that puts the flags and colors of the world's nations in the spotlight. It also symbolizes their interconnectedness through tourism, trade, education, and cultural exchange, based on equality, which will continue to flourish from the new year onward and in the years to come.

– The fifth act – “Thailand” is a firework display in the colors of the Thai national flag along the Chao Phraya River. The colors red, white, and blue together symbolize our national identity as an independent country, protected by our solidarity and unity.

Furthermore, Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Co., Ltd. (MQDC) created a truly impressive phenomenon with its New Year's countdown on the Chao Phraya River. The spectacular light show, "The New Beginning 2019," showcased the 70-story Magnolias Waterfront Residences at Iconsiam and the 52-story The Residences at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok – both offering unparalleled views of the Bangkok skyline and beyond. Resembling the first light of 2019, it reflected the splendor of Thailand, the beauty of the river, and the unity of the Thai nation in the colors of the light and the lines of the buildings.

Within a 2 km radius, visitors could admire the fireworks on both sides of the river. Nearby landmarks included the Millennium Hilton Hotel, the Peninsula Hotel, the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the Shangri-La Hotel, the Lebua at State Tower Hotel, the Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse, the Holy Rosary Church, the Kularp Wittaya School, Police Station 2, the Sathorn Bridge, Wat Suwan Pier, Klong Sarn Pier, Muang Kae Pier, Chalermprakiat Park, the CAT Tower, River City, LHONG 1919, King Power Mahanakorn, the Sampeng parking lot, and many other riverside restaurants.

Furthermore, there will be a grand Khone mask performance depicting the episode "Rama Returns to Rule the City." This Khone mask performance, part of the 2019 New Year celebrations, commemorates the inclusion of Khone theater on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The traditional mask performance features elaborate and elegant costumes worth several million baht. The makeup is created by Ajarn Peeramon Chomdhavat and Ajarn Surat Jongda, both experienced Khone specialists with over 25 years of experience.

The episode "Rama Returns to Rule the City" tells the story of Rama's (Phra Ram) victory over Tossakan and his vast army in a long war. After peace finally returned to the kingdom of Ayutthaya, the people and the army earnestly begged Rama to return to the throne as their king. Joy reigned throughout the land and in heaven. People and angels danced, most notably in the U Thong dance, and celebrated the return of their king.

Furthermore, 21 top Thai and international artists will perform on New Year's Eve, providing excellent entertainment for our local and foreign tourists. Among the well-known artists appearing are AF and The Voice artists Ton Thanasit, Aim Satida, and Boat Siriroj, Oh Sipoom and Ice Thamolwan, as well as The Star artists Hun Isariya, Kangsom Tanatat, Gam Wichayanee, and Kan Napat. Also performing are the actors from EXACT: Film Thanapat, Bright Norapat, Tong Tong Wuttipat, Kang Vorakorn, Rith Ruangrit, Chen Ratchpong, and Frank Chatchai. The renowned actor Great Varitorn from Channel 3 will also be appearing. Other highlights include the talented nine-year-old Thai musician Gail Sophicha, the famous Taiwanese pop singer Janice Yan, Nont Tanont, winner of the first season of "The Voice Thailand" and the fourth season of "The Mask Singer", and the Thai dance queen Christina Aguilar.

The Amazing Thailand Countdown 2019, which takes place at the River Park Plaza of the Iconsiam on the riverbank, is a truly unique experience that you will never forget.