Thai Name: วันตรุษจีน
Date: 5th February 2019
Venue: Nationwide
If you are planning to enjoy the Chinese New Year 2019 in Thailand, here are some of the best places to experience how Thai people of Chinese descent mark the first day of the Lunar New Year.
Bangkok’s Yaowarat Road Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the Bangkok Chinatown Festival 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
Phuket: 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: 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: The Ratchaburi Chinatown 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: 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: 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: 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: The Hat Yai Chinese New Year Festival will take place at the Sri Nakhon Foundation School with spectacular dragon parades and lion dances. 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: 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: 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: 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
