Even without the winter vibe, Bangkok still knows how to get into the festive spirit. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand have teamed up to light up the city with Vijit Chao Phraya 2024, featuring fireworks, projection mapping, laser shows and performances along the Chao Phraya River from now until December 15.
Several riverfront landmarks, such as Rama VIII Bridge, Wat Arun and the Royal Thai Navy Auditorium will shine throughout the festival. Exploring these locations on foot is free, but if you’d prefer to take it all in at once, you can book any cruise of your liking and enjoy the sights along the river.
Among the venues, Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, presents ‘Arun Rung Su Ratree’ which means ‘from dawn till dusk’. This five-minute lasered show features lights projected onto the temple’s renowned 70-meter-tall pagoda along with majestic music that blends traditional Thai melodies with powerful orchestral arrangements. As the show goes on, a group of drones fly up next to the chedi arranging themselves into various formations that represent the country’s mythology and heritage such as the Naga (a divine serpent), the Royal Barge Suphannahong (a ceremonial swan-shaped royal barge) and Yak (a giant guardian).
The Memorial Bridge showcases the performance theme ‘Mahatsajan Saeng Haeng Fan’, which translates to 'The Wonderful Light of Dreams’. As anticipated, the bridge will be illuminated by vibrant laser performances. What makes this venue special is the three-minute fireworks, which serve as the main highlight of this festival.
As 2024 comes to a close, Thailand sees a variety of events that attract tourists from around the world. This festival is part of the ‘Thailand Winter Festivals’, centred around the theme '7 Wonders of Thailand'. Highlights include music festivals, sports events and countdown celebrations. With so much to offer, Thailand is sure to be the ideal destination to experience the best of the year’s end.
Check out the performance schedule for each venue on the website.