Tourists did not miss the chance to travel to Pha Taem National Park in Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, reserving camping areas in preparation to watch the first sunrise of 2026.
At 5:00 p.m. on 31 Dec 2025, at Pha Taem National Park in Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, tourists arrived to claim camping spots to participate in the event "Farewell to the Sun, Cross-Year Chanting to Empower Life, Welcoming the First Light of the Sun 4 Wonders @ Ubon Ratchathani 2026" to see out the old year and welcome the new one.
Ubon Ratchathani province, together with the Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Administrative Organization, Pha Taem National Park, the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani office, and local networks, organized tourism promotion activities. This area is the first to see the sunrise in the country and is an important tourist destination in Ubon Ratchathani. This year, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment gave a New Year’s gift by waiving entrance fees for all tourism sites under its jurisdiction nationwide, including Pha Taem National Park, from 31 Dec 2025 to 4 Jan 2026. This is special compared to previous years, offering free entry for Thai people for five consecutive days. However, tourist turnout is less lively than last year, likely due to unrest along the Thai-Cambodian border and economic conditions.
The event included an exhibition honoring Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother’s benevolence; activities opening the Geopark world for tourism themed "From Siam’s First Light to the Dinosaur’s Last Habitat"; cross-year prayer chanting; welcoming the new year’s first sunlight on the morning of 1 Jan 2026; and making merit by giving alms to 69 monks for good fortune in the new year.
