Zero Hour. The final seconds of the countdown could be heard from as many as 10,000 throats, bursting into cheering and shouting. A large dragon climbed onto the tower carrying the countdown clock, and stayed there swinging and dancing. Contrary to the spectacle I had seen before at Silom, the dragon seemed a bit lame to me, as if it didn't really care about a new millenium. Which is of course but just right, since the Buddhist era has passed the second millenium already 543 years ago... Nevertheless, quite some loads of fireworks were shot into the air, covering Sanam Luang in a white-blueish haze.

Only minutes after the fireworks had died down, the crowds hurried to the sides of Bangkok's largest square, to haul taxis or catch one of the few buses that made it through the enormous traffic jam which was building up. Some people had taken certain precautions, and prepared for a night's sleep under this year's first nightsky.