Countdown celebrations cancelled in Bangkok and Chiang Mai
New year countdown celebrations were cancelled on Sunday following seven simultaneous attacks in Bangkok that killed two persons and injured 22 people.
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's New Year Party at Sanam Luang and parties at major Bangkok shopping malls including "Bangkok Countdown 2007" at Central World shopping mall were cancelled. Outside Bangkok, the major countdown in Chiang Mai was also cancelled.
The decisions came after the blast attacks took place simultaneously in the capital.
Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin went up on the stage at the Central World Plaza at about 8:50 pm and asked the revellers to disperse. They clamly left the venue as seen on TV reports.
Meanwhile, BTS -earlier planned to operate its skytrain around the clock - announced that the service would be available only till midnight. Shopping malls and department stores in Bangkok were closed by 8pm.
In Chiang Mai, the people were also asked to disperse after the organisers decided to abruptly cancel the countdown party. They said they could not risk anyone's safety. However, other provinces can decide whether their New year parties to continue or not.
The Nation
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