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Published on November 17, 2007

"Hands Bangkok Countdown 2008@Central World" hopes to attract 200,000 visitors on New Year's Eve, 10 per cent of them foreigners.

Security will be tightened to ensure no repetition of the tragic events of last year when bombs exploded just before the celebration.

Sermkhun Kunawong, chief executive of CM Organiser, said this year would be even bigger than last time, because the Central Group, operator of CentralWorld shopping mall and the Centara

Hotel, would kick in Bt50 million.

About Bt30 million was spent preparing last year's party, but it collapsed due to a series of blasts in the early evening of December 31.

This year's festival is scheduled to start on December 21.

Its highlights include the Greeting Ball Tower, a pyramid 21 meters high costing more than Bt25 million. Also planned are a variety of entertainment, a fashion show and other enjoyable activities.

The organiser will beef up security by installing weapon scanners and deploying more guards. It will also increase insurance cover for the event.

The organiser plans to invite 500 local VIPs and celebrities and to bring famous stars from neighbouring countries to join the event on New Year's Eve's party, which will be broadcast live by TV Channel 7.

Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, executive vice president for marketing at Central Pattana, operator of CentralWorld, said the company expected to draw 120,000 visitors per day into its mall from December 21-30, which should help increase sales 20 per cent.

"This event is part of our strategy of building CentralWorld as a new landmark in Bangkok and also a centre for shopping in the region," Sermkhun said.

Suchat Sritama

 The Nation