In a press release from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) it’s been announced TAT will be putting on a truly extravagant Chinese New Year this year. With large-scale festivities planned all over the kingdom, starting on February 1st, visitors to (and residents of) the kingdom will see parades, fireworks, costume competitions, golden lion parades, and a plethora of food-related and shopping related activities.
Chinese New Year is always fun in Thailand, but this year it looks like it’s going to be extra special. Here’s the press release:
Bangkok, January 21, 2011 — Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will inaugurate the Chinatown Festival and Bangkok Chinese New Year Celebrations on February 3, 2011, at 16.00 hrs, at Chinatown, Yaowarat Road in Bangkok.
The official inauguration will be the highlight of a range of lively and colourful Chinese New Year festival activities being organised this year by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) together with the Chinese Government, various Thai-Chinese associations, government agencies, and private companies. The events will run during February 1 – 10, 2011, in Bangkok and nine provinces nationwide.
This year’s festivities will be extra special because they will commemorate His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday and 36th Anniversary of the Sino-Thai diplomatic relationship. They will showcase the best of Chinese culture and traditions in Thailand and also boost tourism.
TAT Governor Mr Suraphon Svetasreni said, “Chinese New Year is one of the main festivals in Thailand. TAT and related agencies have worked hard to create a schedule of events that everyone will enjoy, both local people and international visitors.
“For this year, we are expecting over 500,000 people to join these special events, including visitors from China, Asia, and Europe. It is also expected that this event will generate 550 million Baht in expenditure,” added the governor.
Some of the themed activities include:
Bangkok:
– Chinese New Year 2011 formal ceremonies with speeches by the Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand and Minister of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, and a cultural performance from China on February 3, 2011, at 13.00 hrs, CentralWorld Shopping Complex. Participants and visitors will enjoy dragon dances, fireworks, and demonstration of auspicious foods, local Chinese food, and products.
– The 36th Anniversary of the Sino-Thai diplomatic relationship cultural performance on,
February 1, 2011 at the Thailand Cultural Centre. There will also be another performance on February 3 at CentralWorld and Yaowarat. The performance will feature more than 200 people from 56 Chinese ethnic groups.
Nakhon Sawan: “Amazing Nakhon Sawan Chinese New Year, Celebrate H.M. the King’s 84th Birthday”, 27 January – 7 February 2011. The activities will highlight Chinese culture from various parts of Nakhon Sawan like writing auspicious Chinese characters, fortune tellers, and Chinese food festival.
Nakhon Ratchasima: “Chinese New Year Korat 54 “Amazing Shanghai”, February 3 – 5, 2011, at the Thao Suranaree Monument courtyard and memorial park. The activities will highlight the decoration of Chumphol Road to make it look the same as Shanghai city, golden lion parade, Chinese food, souvenir shops, ‘Ung-Pao’ (money-envelopes), and lucky draws.
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya: “5th Chinese New Year Celebration 2011 in the Ancient City, Ayutthaya”, February 4 – 8, 2011, 17.00-23.00 hrs, in front of Chao Prom Market, Naresuan Road and in front of the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipal Office. The activities include the opening ceremony, the contest of Miss Chinese New Year and kids and Chinese costume.
Suphan Buri: “Chinese New Year in Suphan Buri, Amazing 3 years of the Dragon Descendants Museum”, February 3 – 7, 2011, at the Descendants Dragon Museum. Activities include the opening ceremony, fireworks, performances of folk music, and Chinese dance.
Ratchaburi: “Ratchaburi China Town 2011”, February 2 – 6, 2011 at the Ratchaburi National Museum. Activities include the Ratchaburi China Town parade, water curtain show, fireworks, light and sound show, Mister and Miss Chinese New Year contest.
Phuket: “Chinese New Year Festival – Back to the Past of Phuket Town”, February 8 – 10, 2011, at the Chalermprakiat Park and Thalang Road. Activities will highlight the lifestyle of the Phuket people in the old days, local people wearing traditional Phuket apparel, the show from Suining city of the People Republic of China, signing the MOU for Twin cities between Suining city and Phuket.
Chonburi (Pattaya): “Chinese New Year Festival in Pattaya City”, February 3 – 5, 2011, Pho Na Klue Courtyard, Banglamung district. For further information on activities, please contact the TAT Pattaya Office, Tel: 038-427667, 038-428750.
Songkhla (Hat Yai) “Chinese New Year Festival in Hat Yai”, February 2011 at Srinakorn School courtyard. For further information on activities, please contact the TAT Hat Yai office, Tel: 074-231055, 074-238518.
Chiang Mai: “China Town in Chiang Mai”, February 4 – 6, 2011, 09.00-24.00 hrs at Trok Lao Cho. The outstanding activities will be the exhibition of the giant oranges basket, Kung Fu from Guangxi, fire dragon show and lion dance.