Phuket launches lantern festival ahead of Chinese New Year

Phuket’s main city district launched the ‘Phuket Lantern Festival 2023’ last night ahead of Chinese New Year, which falls on January 22.

The lantern festival will run from January 15 to February 5. During this time, all government offices in Phuket will be decorated with lanterns. Phuket’s city municipality has decorated tourist attractions and the area around Chartered Bank Intersection.

Phuket City Mayor Saroj Angkhanapilas led the opening ceremony at the intersection last night. Mayor Saroj said the festival marked a period starting on the 15th day of the Chinese lunar calendar when Chinese people do activities to invoke blessings and bring joy.

The lantern festival is also considered a day for lovers to meet and participate in various activities such as releasing lanterns and setting off firecrackers.

Dancers dressed in colourful outfits performed traditional Chinese dances at the opening ceremony.

Phuket’s Chinese population prepares for the New Year festival by cleaning their homes and getting rid of unwanted belongings. Saroj said…

“The festival preserves the traditions of life and the good cultural identity of the local area as well as creates a colourful tourism [attraction] in the Phuket City area.”

Saroj added that the economic stimulus from the festival brings income to the local community. Chinese-Thai people often buy decorations to usher in the new year, such as red lanterns meant to bring good luck, longevity, wealth, and happiness, he said.

Tourists are invited to come and experience the exciting festival in Phuket.

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, has been celebrated in Thailand for centuries by the country’s Chinese-Thai community.

Traditional activities include lion and dragon dances, fireworks, and the giving of red envelopes filled with money to children. Chinese New Year is also an important time for businesses, as it is considered a peak shopping season. In recent years, Spring Festival celebrations have become more popular among the general population in Thailand and are now celebrated by people of all backgrounds.

Many Thai people will purchase new clothes in celebration of Chinese New Year – usually red or gold – to symbolize luck and prosperity in the new year. Red is believed to be the colour of joy and gold is a sign of wealth and good fortune.