As Thailand's travel industry embarks on the road to recovery after Bangkok's airports were closed for 10 days, late November and early December, the focus is now on welcoming tourists back for the festive season that begins in earnest on Christmas Eve, 24 December, and continues though the New Year celebrations to 2 January.

Thailand remains a safe and hospitable destination and there is every reason for visitors to return now and enjoy a festive season that will be both enjoyable and value for money.

Hotels and travel companies are rolling out the red carpet offering discounts on rooms and other incentives to demonstrate to visitors that it is business as usual.

So where should we take time out to enjoy the New Year festivities? Try your favourite destination, or perhaps you are thinking of a change of scenery this year, travelling to Thailand's pretty northern hill country instead of its southern tropical beaches.

The truth is travellers are welcome to join the fun of the New Year countdown just about anywhere in Thailand.

Every provincial town celebrates the New Year with gusto, arranging concerts and food fairs, usually in the town square or on a river embankment. Some will splurge on firework displays comedy acts or beauty contests. But as the clock strikes 12 midnight, a sea of flickering candles will illuminate the scene as villagers and town folk around the country sing the national and royal anthems to ring in the New Year.

If northern climes appeal -- hilly landscapes and cool evening temperatures -- then an adventurous traveller might find they are counting down the seconds to the New Year in tiny Loei, a provincial town noted for its cool season charm, impressive mountain scenery and delightful resorts and even a vineyard.

Way off the beaten track for most tourists, Loei province is a favourite with Thai travellers who love the outdoors ? trail walks through a hill-top national park, or simply taking sightseeing trips to chill out at small resorts on the banks of the Mekong River. They will also discover a province that still reflects traditional Thai values; where visitors can participate in simple, but heart warming New Year celebrations.

Yet the description is true of most towns in the north and northeast provinces, some adjacent to the Mekong River that separates Thailand from Laos. Similar celebrations echo over the water as citizens welcome the New Year in Chiang Saen near Chiang Rai, Nong Khai, Nakhon Panom and Mukdahan, all popular Mekong River destinations.

Mukdahan is where a new bridge spans the wide river linking it to the small town of Savannakhet in Laos. Considered a gateway town, travellers can begin their tour of Laos and Vietnam here. A 150 -km trip across Laos on a modern surfaced highway will bring them in central Vietnam in striking distance of popular destinations such as Hue and Danang.