Dubai , 10 February, 2015 –
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is inviting local and
international travellers to join the festivities planned for the
Chinese’s Lunar New Year in Thailand.
The huge influence of
Chinese immigrants in Thailand over several hundred years means that
Chinese New Year is widely celebrated up and down the kingdom. Visitors
will gain a deeper understanding of the longstanding connections between
the Thai and Chinese communities and see first-hand the contributions
that the Chinese have made to Thai culture over the years.
TAT Governor, Mr.
Thawatchai Arunyik said, “With Thailand having such a rich and diverse
cultural mix, there are people of Chinese decent here and they all
celebrate the beginning of the Lunar New Year in different ways. Over
the years their festivities have taken on a distinctly Thai hue and have
been incorporated into Thailand’s annual cycle of festivals. So as part
of the “2015 Discover Thainess” campaign, TAT would like to invite
local and international tourists to experience the Sino-Thai fun in one
of the year’s best-loved celebrations.”
The nation’s biggest
Chinese New Year celebrations take place in Bangkok’s Chinatown on
Yaowarat Road, with cultural displays and fun performances, but
festivities take place up and down the kingdom. Here are some of the
best places to experience the Chinese New Year in Thailand.
Bangkok’s Yaowarat Road (19-20 February): Her
Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the
Bangkok Chinatown Festival 2015 in celebration of Chinese New Year.
Enjoy exquisite cultural performances from China, dragon parades and
lion dances, street stalls selling Chinese food, lantern decorations,
and an exhibition telling the story of Yaowarat’s Thai-Chinese
community. Contact: Samphanthawong District Office, +66 (0) 2235 9127
Chinese New Year 2014 at Bangkok’s Chinatown
Phuket (26-28 February): This
is held at Phuket’s Old Town Plaza, and visitors are invited to take
part in a grand procession to honour His Majesty King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, a parade to showcase Thailand’s readiness to be a part of the
ASEAN Economic Community and a sacred ceremony to pay homage to Guan
Yin or the Goddess of Mercy. Enjoy cultural performances from China,
Ramwong Thai circle dance and youth music shows. Contact: TAT Phuket
Office, +66 (0) 7621 1036
Nakhon Ratchasima (18-20 February): Local
and international visitors will get the chance to celebrate the Chinese
New Year and take home memories of a meaningful and memorable
experience. The Monument of Thao Suranaree (Yamo) and Mueang Thong
Garden will be decorated and divided into six zones in accordance with
the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher-educator Kong Qiu
(Confucius). Visitors will enjoy dragon parades and lion dances as well
as experience a range of cultural performances. Contact: TAT Nakhon
Ratchasima Office, +66 (0) 4421 3666, 4421 3030
Ratchaburi (18-22 February): The
Ratchaburi Chinatown 2015 will feature spectacular cultural
performances, contests to crown Mr. and Miss Chinatown and exciting
multimedia shows. These will all take place around the Ratchaburi
National Museum. Contact: Ratchaburi Municipal Office, +66 (0) 3233 7674
Phetchaburi (18-19 February): In
Mueang Phetchaburi, visitors will be able to enjoy spectacular
processions of dragon and lion dances and pay homage to a pantheon of 22
Chinese gods. Other highlights include a Miss China Mueang Phet
pageant, and a Mr. and Miss Chinatown contest. There will also be
cultural performances staged by students from various schools and a
family fun fair. Contact: The Sports Association of Phetchaburi, +66 (0)
3242 6326
Trang (17-21 February): Thai
people of Chinese descent in Trang will showcase their famous local
dishes, including the ever-popular grilled pork. The celebration, to be
held at the Clock Tower Plaza in Mueang Trang. There will also be folk
performances indigenous to Trang, cultural dances from China and the
Little Miss Ang-Pao contest. Contact: TAT Trang Office, +66 (0) 7521
5867
Suphanburi (19-21 February): The Suphanburi Chinese New Year Festival of “7 Years Miraculous Dragon”
will take place at the Dragon Descendants Museum. Highlights include
multimedia shows and Chinese cultural performances. Contact: TAT
Suphanburi Office, +66 (0) 3552 5863
Nakhon Sawan (12-23 February): Enjoy
a spectacular procession of Chao Pho-Chao Mae Paknam Pho and Chao Mae
Kuan-im (Guan Yin) as well as acrobatic performances, dragon parades,
lion dances, angel parades and cultural performances from China. The
event will take place on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in the area
of Paknam Pho Market. Contact: TAT Uthai Thani Office, +66 (0) 5621 3614
Hat Yai Chinese New Year 2014
Hat Yai (18-22 February): The
Hat Yai Chinese New Year Festival 2015 will take place at the Sri
Nakhon Foundation School with spectacular dragon parades and lion dances
as well as the China Kid 2015 and Miss Chinese 2015 contests. There
will also be a fireworks display and cultural performances. Don’t miss
the chance to enjoy the beautiful decorations of lanterns, another
highlight of Hat Yai’s Lunar New Year. Contact: TAT Hat Yai Office, +66
(0) 7424 3747
Ayutthaya (20-25 February): The
Ancient Capital Miracle Chinese New Year will take place at the Chao
Phrom Market with cultural performances from China as well as a Thai
country music concert. Also to be enjoyed will be a Miss China Contest,
singing and talent shows and a lantern decorating competition. Make time
to pay homage to the guardian spirits of Ayutthaya at 108 shrines
across the province. Contact: TAT Ayutthaya Office, +66 (0) 3524 6076-7
Pattaya (18-22 February): Enjoy
spectacular lion and dragon dances acrobatically performed atop a high
wooden pole, Modern Chinese cultural performances will make use of
multimedia but there will also be magic shows and a Miss Pattaya China
Girl talent. Events will take place at Wat Bueng Bowon Sathit and Lan
Pho Naklua. Contact: TAT Pattaya Office, +66 (0) 3842 6776, 3842 8750
Chiang Mai (18-20 February): Enjoy
a spectacular procession of dragon and lion dances, Chinese cultural
and musical performances, at the city’s Trok Lao Zhou. Contact: TAT
Chiang Mai Office, +66 (0) 5324 8604-5
