Chinese New Year 2016 celebrations in Thailand

In Thailand, they celebrate the New Year at least 3 times. It begins with the classic New Year, on January 1st, then in February comes the Chinese New Year, an important part of the Thai population is Chinese, and we end with Songkran, the Thai New Year in mid-April. In a few days it will be the Chinese New Year. I give you some information about the celebrations in Thailand.

This year the Chinese New Year falls on Feb. 8, 2016, but the celebration dates vary in each Thailand province with celebrations planned from 5 to 15 February. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has planned to support events in 13 major destinations nationwide: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chon Buri (Pattaya) , Hat Yai, Phuket, Trang and Udon Thani.

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 highlights at some of the best places to experience the Chinese New Year 2016 in Thailand.

Celebrations in Thailand for Chinese New Yer 2016

• Bangkok: At the heart of Bangkok’s Chinatown or Yaowarat, the Chinese New Year 2016 will feature lantern decorations, Chinese cultural performances, dragon parades and lion dances, street stalls selling Chinese cuisine and souvenirs, and entertainment from famous artists, 7-8 February. Call +66 (0) 2235 9127
• Nakhon Sawan (Paknam Pho): The 12-day event marks the centennial celebration of Chao Pho-Chao Mae Paknam Pho procession. It will feature colourful cultural procession, night parade, lantern decorations, main stage performances, Chinese cultural performances, Muay Thai performance, mini concerts, theater puppet performance, lion and dragon dances, long-drum procession, students’ performances, lion dances and angel parades, merit-making activities, and an activity to pay homage to the sacred shrines, 1-12 February. Call +66 (0) 5621 3614
• Suphan Buri: The province will stage spectacular shows to celebrate 8th anniversary of the Dragon Descendant Museum, multimedia presentation, glowing angels and Chinese deities, stage entertainment, and concerts by famous Thai artists, 7-8 February. Call +66 (0) 3552 5863
• Ayutthaya: Attend the annual ritual to pay homage to the guardian spirits of Ayutthaya at 108 shrines across the province, Chinese cultural performance, Luk Thung concert, performances from leading singers and famous bands, Miss Chinese contest, cultural performance from 10 ASEAN countries, singing competition, Chinese lantern contest, and sale of local products, 9-14 February. Call TAT Ayutthaya Office at +66 (0) 3524 6076 – 7
• Ratchaburi: Mr and Miss Chinatown contests, Chinatown Kids Contest, students’ performance, light and sound presentation and other activities at Ratchburi National Museum, 7-10 February. Call +66 (0) 3233 7674
• Chon Buri (Pattaya): Spectacular procession to pay homage to the God of Prosperity, lion and dragon dances on a high wooden pole, merit-making ceremonies, Chinese boys and girls contest 2016, concerts and performances from leading artists, at Ban Bueng district and Lao Pho Public Park, Na Klua, 8 February. Call +66 (0) 3842 7667, +66 (0) 3842 8750
• Phetchaburi: Spectacular and colourful procession to pay homage to the province’s 22 Gods and Goddesses. Other highlights are Miss Chinese Beauty Contest, Chinese kids contest, dragon and lion dances, Chinese cultural shows, students’ performance, exhibition booths from public and private agencies, 9-10 February. Call +66 (0) 3242 6326
• Chiang Mai: Spectacular dragon and lion parade, colourful procession to pay homage to Chinese deities, the fascinating 60-metre-long fire dragon, 1,000-hands Guan Yin performance, mask-changing performance, Chinese cultural shows and exhibition, Chinese boys and girls contest, Tai Chi and Qigong performance, food stalls and booths selling local products, 7-9 February. Call +66 (0) 5324 8604
• Nakhon Ratchasima (Suranaree Monument): Dragon and lion dances, Chinese cultural performances, an exhibition of China’s Great Wall and Chinatown Gate in a replica city, lantern decorations, and tour to pay homage to the guardian spirits of the city at nine famous shrines, 7-8 February. Call TAT Nakhon Ratchasima Office at +66 (0) 4423 4752 or +66 (0) 4423 4763
• Udon Thani: This year’s event will be presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha. Highlights include fashion shows from Thai-Lao-Vietnam design talents, Chinese cultural performance, lion dances, and booths selling local products at Chao Pu-Ya Shrine, 8-10 February. Call TAT Udon Thani Office at +66 (0) 4232 5406
• Phuket (Old Town): Cultural procession, parades featuring local ways of life and showing readiness to enter the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), pay homage to Guan Yin goddess, Chinese cultural performance, traditional folk dance, youth concerts and many more, 7-8 February. Call TAT Phuket Office at +66(0) 7621 1036
• Trang: Ceremony to pay homage to Chinese God of Prosperity, demonstration of Chinese painting, southern cultural performance, Chinese cultural performance, Chinese kids contest,  food stalls from Trang’s famous restaurant in front of Trang Municipality Office, 7-9 February. Call TAT Trang Office at +66 (0) 7521 5867
• Songkhla (Hat Yai): Ceremonies to pay homage to Chinese god and deities, dragon and lion dance, Chinese dances and cultural performance, Chinese kids contest, Miss Hat Yai Chinese 2016, magic show, cabaret show, students’ concerts, lantern decorations, local products sale, and many fun-filled activities at Srinakhon Foundation School, 6-10 February. Call +66 (0) 7424 3747, +66 (0) 7423 8518