Central World ranks as one of the globe's best New Year's Eve destinations

Alright, we're a month into 2026 but let's rewind to how Bangkok saw off last year. Turns out the Thai capital sits pretty high on the list of ultimate countdown spots worldwide.

When the clock ticks down to midnight on New Year's Eve, certain cities just know how to make it count. Bangkok's Central World has earned its reputation as one of the globe's top five countdown destinations, often dubbed the Times Square of Asia. That's some serious street cred.

The venue draws Thailand's biggest New Year's crowd every single year. We're talking cityscape fireworks lighting up the sky, world class production values and confetti raining down as the new year arrives. Choreographed drone displays add a modern twist whilst top artists keep the energy flowing right through to that midnight moment when the whole city collectively welcomes what's next.

Central World sits alongside the heavy hitters. Times Square in New York still owns the crown with its iconic ball drop and global TV coverage. London's Westminster brings that British elegance with Thames fireworks framing Big Ben and the London Eye. Taipei 101 launches spectacular pyrotechnics from its skyscraper. Sydney Harbour gets there first with its bridge and Opera House backdrop.

But Bangkok holds its own amongst this company. The Thai capital proves you don't need centuries of tradition to create something genuinely iconic.