Bangkok, 7 January 2014 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has lined up several celebrations to mark the Chinese New Year 2014 from 24 January to 4 February at various major destinations across Thailand, including Bangkok’s famous Yaowarat Road, one of the world’s largest Chinatowns.
Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand said, “The festival is the most important event for the Thai-Chinese people in Thailand. Each year, the event draws millions of domestic and foreign visitors to take part in the celebration.
Chinese New Year is widely celebrated in provinces with huge Thai-Chinese communities. At Bangkok’s Chinatown in particular, visitors experience the strong tie between the Thai and Chinese communities through the magnificent cultural performances that show the deep roots of Chinese culture in Thailand. This special occasion is normally opened by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn every year.
Thailand’s Chinese New Year 2014 will be held in various major cities with spectacular highlights, including:
Bangkok (Yaowarat Road): Cultural performances from China, dragon parades and lion dances, street stalls selling Chinese cuisine, lantern decorations, and an exhibition of Yaowarat’s Thai-Chinese community, 31 January to 1 February.
Nakhon Sawan (Paknam Pho): Spectacular procession Chao Pho-Chao Mae Paknam Pho and Chao Mae Kuan-im (Guan Yin), acrobatic performances, dragon parades, lion dances and angel parades, 24 January to 4 February.
Nakhon Sawan (Ta Khli): Spectacular night procession to celebrate the annual Chao Mae Thapthim – Chao Pho Chao Mae Ta Khli Festival, dragon parades, lion dances, angel parades, and Guan Yin parade, 31 January.
Songkhla (Hat Yai): Chinese cultural performances, concerts by big name Thai and Malaysian artists, Miss Chinese 2014 beauty contest, and a bazaar selling Chinese New Year goods, 30 January to 1 February.
Suphan Buri: Spectacular cultural shows from China, acrobatic performances, multimedia shows, and concerts by big name Thai artists, 31 January.
Ratchaburi: Spectacular cultural performances, competitions of dragon and lion parades, overwater lion dance contest, multimedia shows, musical fountain shows, lantern decorations, and an exhibition of the ancient Chinese people’s way of life in a replica city, 31 January.
Ayutthaya: Pay homage to the guardian spirits of Ayutthaya at 108 shrines across the province, an ancient Chinese food fair in a replica market, Miss Chinese beauty contest and Little Miss Chinatown talent contest, and lantern decoration contest, 31 January to 4 February.
Trang: Cultural performances, Miss China Girl talent contest, and stage performances by Thai superstars, 29-30 January.
Chachoengsao: Cultural performances by local youth, lantern decorations, lion dances, dragon parades, and angel parades, 30 January to 1 February.
Nakhon Ratchasima: Lion dances, dragon dances, Chinese cultural performances, an exhibition of China’s Great Wall and Chinatown Gate in a replica city, lantern decorations, and pay homage to the guardian spirits of the city at nine famous shrines, 30 January.
Chon Buri (Pattaya): Spectacular lion and dragon dances on a high wooden pole, modern Chinese cultural performances with multimedia, magic shows, and Miss Pattaya China Girl talent contest, 30 January to 1 February.
Udon Thani: Concerts by big name Thai artists, a Chinese and international food fair, a Chinese cultural exhibition, a firework display, and a China Kids talent contest, 31 January.
Spectacular cultural performances, 31 January.
Chiang Mai: Lion dances, Chinese cultural and musical performances, Little Miss and Master China talent contests, and a Chinese food fair, 31 January.
Mukdahan: Four Nation Four Cultures Festival, pay homage to the guardian spirits, lion dances, cultural processions from Thailand, Lao PDR, Vietnam and China, and an Indochina food fair, 31 January to 1 February.
Phetchaburi: Dragon and lion dances, gigantic Chinese noodle cooking show, and pay homage to Chinese gods, 31 January.
Sakon Nakhon: Chinese New Year by the Vietnamese-Chinese community, cultural procession, lion and dragon dances, cultural performances and a food fair selling Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine, 31 January to 1 February.
(eturbonews.com)