Hi everyone! I was curious if anyone has advice about New Year's Eve (2009) in Bangkok? I was originally going to start my trip in Jan. 2010 but have reconsidered that it might be more fun to celebrate New Year's Eve somewhere other than the US, seeing as I've already done that 22 times. My boyfriend and I are thinking of flying into Bangkok the last week in December. We are pretty big party people but are extremely easy going and can enjoy a quiet scenic experience just as much as crazy booze filled night that we won't remember. Ideally I think we are looking for a combination...
-Would you suggest Bangkok on New Year's or another nearby city or beach town?
-Cheap places to stay?
-When and what kind of reservations to make?
Thanks for any help you have to offer!!

I was in Bkk on 31 December 2006. I spent a quiet night at my hostel (Suk11). 9 bombs went off around the city, allegedly planted by disgruntled Thaksin supporters. Several foreigners were seriously injured. Keep up to date with political developments. I haven't been following them since the Dec 2007 election.

That could happen anywhere in the world, surely?
The general rule is avoid crowds at big occasions but that's not always possible.
I may be away over NYE and XMas this year so interested in this post as well...

Bah humbug! to the above comments.
I had a rockin' (did I just say that??) New Year's a few years back in Bangkok. Now, I'm one of the "cool travellers" who generally look down upon and avoid the Khao San Rd scene but, it just seemed the perfect place to get all crazy-like. It just calls for drunkenly swaying and and singing along and jumping around with all the thai kids and other various debaucherous fools. Everyone was all smiles, the street was packed and there was a fun blend of music going on, both thai pop/rock and whatever else.

We had a room back behind the temple to stumble back to to avoid the drunken scenario of: "whee, those tuk tuks sure look fun" or for the more responsible drunk: "taxis- that's the way to go...." ending with: "meter what meter?"
Anyway, safe travels and have fun!

Keep in mind that all accomodation on the beaches will be booked up for New Years. I've spend a few in Thailand. In Ko-Chang I was there weeks before, had a great time, but saw people sleeping on the beach that came over Christmas, new years hoping to get a bungalow.
Bangkok was O.K. Did Khao San. Nothing special.