Bangkok--30 Dec--CentralWorld
’This is the time to smile and be jolly! This New Year’s Eve, Toyota Prius Presents “Bangkok Countdown Smile Up 2012@CentralWorld” to ring in New Year 2012 in fabulous style. To ensure that all will be smooth sailing at the 11th edition of the landmark countdown event — ranked 8th on the Askmen list of the world’s Top 10 Countdown Destinations and the 6th countdown event to be broadcast live this year over a global network -- CentralWorld has joined forces with Index Creative Village and partners from the public and private sectors including Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Royal Thai Police, Ratchaprasong Square Trade Assocation, Toyota Motor (Thailand), and MCOT. More than 250,000 people are expected the join the event, and every effort has been made to ensure optimum security, convenience and comfort for all participants, who will enjoy first-hand such highlights as a 10-minute-long firework display, live concert by famous artists, and many more smile-inducing delights.
As a special highlight this year, Toyota Motor (Thailand) is giving away a top-line, full-option Toyota Prius, worth 1,260,000 baht, to a lucky winner who will be determined through a lucky draw following the New Year Countdown, with nationwide audiences watching the live broadcast on Modernine TV as witnesses. Interested parties can pick up lucky-draw coupons at CentralWorld Square B during 10.30 a.m. — 10.30 p.m. on December 31.
Kobchai Chirathivat, President, CentralPattana Plc. (CPN), says: “CPN is organizing countdown events at several branches of Central Plaza nationwide. Bangkok Countdown 2012@CentralWorld is Bangkok’s and Thailand’s biggest countdown event, held for the 11th consecutive time this year. We are spending over 30 million baht to bring the Thai people a gift of joyful smiles, with live performances by an army of musical artists, spectacular ‘Smiley’ firework display, and much more.
“CentralWorld has made preparations both in and outside of the complex, especially the square out front,” explains Kobchai. “To ensure maximum convenience and comfort for countdown participants, shops and services inside CentralWorld will remain open until 11.00 p.m., including restaurants, elevators, restrooms, basement car park and multi-storey parking structure which can accommodate up to 3,000 cars. Moreover, countdown participants can travel by the BTS Skytrain to Chidlom or Siam Station, which will remain open until 1.00 a.m. of January 1.”
The Royal Thai Police has made the necessary security and traffic arrangements to ensure safety and convenience for Thais and foreign visitors taking part in the countdown. Police patrol has been covering the venue and surrounding areas in the run-up to the event and will continue right to the end of the proceedings, while an additional team of over 2,000 policemen are working in tandem with CentralWorld’s security force to cover all areas, including the square in front of the complex and Ratchaprasong Square. Over 1,500 security cameras have been deployed, while all telephone boxes and trash cans in the venue’s vicinity have been protectively wrapped as a security precaution. For participants’ comfort, mobile toilets will be stationed along the Rama I and Rajdamri sides of the venue on New Year’s Eve. All safety and security measures will be managed out of a central War Room, and all countdown participants will be required to go through security screening for explosives and other dangerous items before entering the venue.
“Bangkok Countdown Smile Up 2012@CentralWorld” features many highlights including:
- Firework display: Get ready to be dazzled by a spectacular “Smiley” firework display, the ultimate symbol of New Year’s celebrations.
- Marketplace of Sharing: Organized by Thai Life Insurance, over 80 stalls manned by students and members of the public will be selling clothing, bags, scarves and other handmade goods during December 29 — 31 from 4.00 p.m. — 9.30 p.m. at CentralWorld Square B, in front of CentralWorld Shopping Complex.
- Tiger Beer Square: Charity auctions of favorite items donated by stars, artists and celebrities are scheduled to take place during December 29 — 31, from 6.00 p.m. — 1.00 a.m. at CentralWorld Square B, with all proceeds going to flood victims nationwide through a relief project by the Thai Red Cross Society.
- Give a Smile Donation Box: Countdown participants are invited to donate 5, 55 or 555 baht to help flood victims, the amounts being selected for their connection to the Buddhist Year 2555 (AD 2012).
Bangkok Countdown 2012@CentralWorld will be broadcast live on Modernine TV from 10.30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve to 00.30 a.m. on New Year’s Day, to allow audiences nationwide to enjoy the atmosphere of joy and live entertainment including a concert by popular artists Dome Pakorn Lum and No Logo, Pae Aruk and Slur, Tattoo Colour, Golf Pichaya, Etc., Paradox, Palmy, The Richman Toy and many more.