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The Tourism Authority of Thailand was expecting something like 1.5 million foreign visitors this month for holiday festivities and the New Year countdown.

Deputy Governor Jutaporn Rengronasa says the Hands Bangkok Countdown on Thursday night will be the highlight of celebrations being held across the country.

More than 200,000 revellers are expected to join in the fun in CentralWorld Square, where the Tourism Authority and private firms have arranged stage performances, a beer garden and a light-and-sound show.

The theme, contrary to what you might expect of such a jubilant crowd, is "peace".

The celebrants can watch on a jumbo screen as the countdown to 2010 proceeds in countries in the same time zone.

As the final moments tick down, the 21-metre-tall Greeting Ball Tower with its three-metre LCD screen will unleash bursts of light, colour sound and movement at one-minute intervals.

The event culminates with fireworks lighting up the sky, courtesy of Hands, the world's leading manufacturer of things that go bang for fun.

Jutaporn says official celebrations will also take place at the National Stadium, two kilometres away, where GMM Grammy and Channel 9 will put on concerts and a variety show, and at Sanam Luang, where classical dance and folk music will be presented.

The big hotels on the Chao Phraya River will be setting off fireworks too.

The Tourism Authority is also staging events in Phuket, Ubon Ratchathani, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Autthaya, Trang, Hua Hin and Pattaya.

The Hua Hin Countdown 2010 will have music from top entertainers, "xtreme" games for children and food of every cuisine.

In Trang there'll be old-style Siamese dancing, various competitions and, the next morning, a merit-making ceremony.

Ayutthaya has arranged for tourists to make merit by giving essential items to 599 Buddhist monks in front of the Phra Mongkon Borphit Buddha.

Chiang Rai is putting on a light-and-sound at midnight Thursday amid the already beautifully decorated Bun Phra Karn Road and 9,999 lanterns will be sent aloft.

The Colourful Phuket Countdown is spread out among Saphan Hin Bridge, selected beaches and downtown Phuket itself.

And the Amazing Pattaya Amazing Countdown ought to be visible in Cambodia - the fireworks show will feature something like 10,000 rockets.