Revellers flocked to Pha Taem National Park for a chance to see the first sunrise of the year as Thais welcomed the Year of Pig with merit-making ceremonies.
Video by Nila Singkiree
Situated in the easternmost point of the country, the national park in Khong Chiam district in Ubon Ratchathani province was crowded with tourists who wanted to be among the first to see the first sunrise of 2019 coming from the eastern horizon across the Meking River.
The park estimated thousands of visitors braving the cold weather in the morning to see the sun on Tuesday. The sun rose at 6.24am.
All Thais in all provinces offered food to monks at temples or public places to give themselves a good start of the year.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his cabinet members wrote well-wishing messages for His Majesty the King at the Grand Palace on the new year occasion.
People hoped for a quick and clean election from the prime minister as a gift to the country, according to Bangkok Poll.
Bangkok University's poll released on Tuesday showed 30% of respondents looking forward to the new and fair election from him, while 25% hoped for better economy in 2019.
The poll results collected from 1,194 samples aged 18 or more who lived in Bangkok and provinces neighbouring the capital from Dec 6-11 last year.
