Global news network CNN is set to broadcast the New Year’s Eve 2025 celebrations live from Bangkok. This year, CNN has selected Iconsiam, a world-class landmark along the Chao Phraya River on the Thonburi side, as the site of the CNN Asia-Pacific Live Studio. Renowned anchors Kristie Lu Stout and Will Ripley will co-host the program, delivering images and sounds of joy from Thailand to a worldwide audience across CNN’s TV and digital platforms.
This announcement marks a historic milestone, highlighting Thailand’s strong capability as a center for hosting and broadcasting major international events. It is also the first time CNN has established a full-scale live studio in Thailand to cover the grandeur of New Year’s Eve celebrations from the heart of the Asia-Pacific region to the global audience.
For this year’s Amazing Thailand Countdown 2026, Iconsiam—recognized as one of the three most influential global projects over the past 30 years by the MAPIC AWARDS 2025—has collaborated with government agencies, private sectors, communities, and both domestic and international partners to host the celebration under the theme A Global Phenomenal Celebration at the Icon Unrivaled.
This theme reflects Thailand’s role as a top countdown destination that people worldwide want to visit. The event showcases Thai cultural uniqueness along the Chao Phraya River, combined with contemporary entertainment and spectacular eco-friendly fireworks displays. The grand festivities will span five full days from 27 to 31 December 2025 at River Park, Iconsiam.
The scale and international broadcast of this event not only confirm Thailand’s high safety and management standards for countdown events but also highlight the potential of the Chao Phraya riverside area and Bangkok’s readiness as a prominent economic and cultural hub in the region.
Consequently, Bangkok has been chosen by CNN as one of the world’s major cities for New Year’s Eve 2025 live broadcasts, alongside leading metropolises such as New York, Abu Dhabi, London, Tokyo, and Sydney. This broadcast from Thailand via CNN’s network is a significant milestone that affirms Bangkok and Thailand’s status as a truly prepared and outstanding Global Countdown Destination on the world stage.
Key highlights of the Amazing Thailand Countdown 2026 include the 4D sky show “Sky In Eternity Reverence” to honor Her Majesty The Queen Mother, paying tribute and remembering her gracious benevolence. This major collaborative production features spectacular eco-friendly fireworks combined with drone and pyrotechnic displays over the Chao Phraya River, created by Crostars, a leading global drone show company from China, and Okuchi Yoshimasa, an award-winning eco-friendly fireworks director from Japan.
The Global Performance segment will feature a special surprise with iconic global artist Mark Tuan performing alongside iconic Thai artists for the first time on New Year’s Eve. River Park will be transformed into the largest riverfront dance arena, The Largest Riverfront Dance Arena, with unlimited fun from over 200 leading Thai DJs and artists, creating a lively countdown atmosphere that fully expresses Thailand’s creative energy in all dimensions.
The public and tourists can join the Amazing Thailand Countdown 2026 at River Park, Iconsiam, or watch the live broadcast through various channels. CNN Live Studio will broadcast celebrations from different countries from 19:00 to 01:00 Thailand time, reaching audiences across the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide.
Meanwhile, Thai TV stations such as Thairath TV, Channel One31, GMM25, TNN16, and NBT, along with online platforms from leading media outlets including Facebook Thairath Online, Channel One31, TNN, NBT, The Standard, Khaosod, Matichon, and Feed, will broadcast live celebrations from 23:00 to 00:15. Iconsiam’s own online channels on Facebook and YouTube will start airing from 16:15 onward.
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