Phra Prang Wat Arun has been chosen for CNN International’s live broadcast of New Year’s Eve celebrations, along with other iconic landmarks around the world, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Wichit Arun is the highlight of the activities organised by TAT for December, showcasing Thailand’s cultural identity as part of its “Thailand Winter Festivals” tourism promotion campaign.

Currently, a son et lumière show is held nightly at the temple and at other landmarks along the Chao Phraya River. Tomorrow night, there will be a fireworks display at midnight, to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.

New Year countdown events will be also held at other locations in Bangkok, including the Central World shopping mall, Icon Siam shopping mall, Asiatique the River Front, Sam Yan Mitrtown, Siam Paragon, Siam Square, Khao Sarn Road 101 True Digital Park and Kesorn Village.

A number of temples in Bangkok are also open to members of the public to celebrate the New Year in a peaceful environment. Among them are Wat Arun, Wat Chetuphon, Wat Benchamabophit, Wat Mahathat, Wat Saket, Wat Chana Songkhram, Wat Hua Lamphong, Wat Pathum and Wat Yan Nawa.

Meanwhile, Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanich said today that the ministry, in cooperation with Suan Dusit Poll, conducted a survey among 13,100 people across the country about prayer services on the night of New Year’s Eve and into the early hours of New Year’s Day.

The poll shows that 60.4% of the respondents admitted that they used to attend prayers in the previous years, but only 32.96% said they would attend this year, while 51.27% said they are not sure whether they will attend or not.

The poll shows that 60.06% of the respondents said that they will attend prayers at temples in their provinces, 38.92% said they will attend online and 12.62% said they will attend the event at Wat Arun.

63.79% said attending the event is auspicious for them and their families and it is a good start to the coming year. 58.44% said they are interested in presenting alms to monks and merit-making on New Year’s Day. 41.93% said the best New Year’s gift for them would be good health. 16.93% said they want to pass examinations with a good grade and 12.50% said they want to get promoted at work.

Meanwhile, the police warn that firing guns into the air is an offence, subject to five years in prison and/or a fine of 10,000 baht on conviction. If someone is killed, however, the violator can be locked up for 10 years and/or fined200,000 baht. If convicted, the sentence is 3 years in prison and/or a fine of 60,000 baht if someone is seriously injured.

178 cases of people firing guns into the air were recorded last year and all the perpetrators were prosecuted.