Mae Sai is a district of Thailand’s Chiang Rai province opposite Myanmar’s Tachileik district, and big celebrations are planned on both sides of the border. Pakaimas Vierra, who chairs the Thailand-Myanmar Cultural and Economic Council, said Myanmar had agreed to Thailand’s request for the extension. She said the New Year’s countdown would be celebrated twice – at midnight and 12.30am – because the Myanmar timezone is 30 minutes behind Thailand.

Source: The Nation Bangkok December 31, 2017 07:30 UTC