<P> Aside from the traditional Thai New Year called Songkran (Thailand) (which falls on 13 April or 14 April), Thais also celebrate the arrival of the Gregorian New Year on 1 January with their families, relatives and friends, which includes a family dinner and following different customs . It is a public holiday . In most cities and urban areas across Thailand, New Year's Eve celebrations are accompanied by countdowns, fireworks, concerts and other major events, notably, the CentralWorld Square at CentralWorld and the area along Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, and the Pattaya Beach in Pattaya, while public places such as hotels, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs, also host New Year's Eve parties by offering food, entertainment and music to the guests, and they usually stay open until the next morning . </P> <P> Preparations for New Year's Eve in Albania start long before 31 December . It starts with the Christmas tree which in Albania is known as "New Year's Tree" or "New Year's Pine". On this day, parents, children and relatives are gathered together to spend some remarkable moments all together . Having an abundant dinner with different kinds of delicious dishes is also a tradition . Part of the tradition is also watching a lot of comedy shows on that night, as the New Year should find people smiling and full of joy. The most amazing moment of the night is the last minute of The Old Year and the minute to come of the New Year . At 00: 00 everyone toasts and greets each other and a lot of fireworks brighten up the sky of the city . They wish each other a prosperous new year, full of happiness, joy, good health and lots of fortune . It is a tradition that at 00: 00 people call each other on the phone to greet one another or send SMS to all their friends . 31 December is the busiest day of an Albanian . </P> <P> In Austria, New Year's Eve is usually celebrated with friends and family . At exactly midnight, all radio and television programmes operated by ORF broadcast the sound of the Pummerin, the bell of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, followed by the Donauwalzer ("The Blue Danube") by Johann Strauss II . Many people dance to this at parties or in the street . Large crowds gather in the streets of Vienna, where the municipal government organises a series of stages where bands and orchestras play . Fireworks are set off by both municipal governments and individuals . </P> <P> In Belgium, New Year's Eve (Sint Sylvester Vooravond ("Saint Sylvester's Eve") or Oudjaar ("old year")) is celebrated with family parties, called réveillons in the French speaking areas . On television, a stand - up comedian reviews the past year after which a musical or variety show signals midnight, when everyone kisses, exchanges good luck greetings, and toasts the New Year and absent relatives and friends with champagne . Many people light fireworks or go into the street to watch them . Most cities have their own fireworks display: the most famous is at Mont des Arts in Brussels . Cities, cafés and restaurants are crowded . Free bus services and special New Year's Eve taxis (the Responsible Young Drivers) bring everyone home afterwards . </P>

Where was new year's eve first celebrated