The CentralWorld shopping centre has cancelled in-person attendance at its New Year countdown party, although the event will still be broadcast live across the country.

The party will be broadcast live on the One 31 TV station, the CentralWorld Facebook page and other accounts including Bangkok Post and Post Today.

"CentralWorld is following the government policy for safety of all Thais," it said on the social media platform.

CentralWorld's New Year's Eve festivities include fireworks and concert performances, and is one of two events linked with the new year in Bangkok.

The other is at Iconsiam, which said on its Facebook account that onsite activities will be held with strict social-distancing measures. It added it will keep revellers updated if it decides to change the format.

The parties at both locations have been approved by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). City Hall decided to allowed them to continue as planned despite the cancellation of all BMA-sponsored activities.

Elsewhere, Pattaya's mayor said the countdown in the city will be held as planned, with festivities - including concerts and a firework display - beginning on Wednesday and ending early on New Year's Day.

Omicron cases rose from 154 reported on Wednesday to 205 on Friday.

The country detected its first cluster of the highly contagious variant in Kalasin, with more than 100 people deemed at risk due to close contact with two patients visiting home from Belgium.