All you need to know about Chinese New Year in Thailand and where to go
Ah, yes, the Chinese New Year! A time to reflect on past successes and make plans for the future. This Saturday, 10 February, marks the beginning of the Year of the Dragon. Celebrations around the world will be ringing in the new year with a vibrant array of traditions, beautiful art, and delicious food — and in Thailand, it’s no different!
With its large Chinese population, it comes as no surprise that the Chinese New Year is one of the biggest festivals in Thailand. Every year, the country lights up with colourful decorations, delicious food, artistic performances, and warm greetings. It’s truly a spectacle to behold!
So, if you want to learn more about Chinese New Year celebrations in Thailand and where to go to join in the festivities, come take a peek with us.
What is the Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year is an annual celebration of the start of a new year according to the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. It’s also called Lunar New Year because the dates of the celebration follow the phases of the moon. It starts with the new moon between 21 January and 20 February, and the festivities may last until the following full moon. This year, the Chinese New Year will fall on Saturday, 10 February 2024.
Besides being celebrated in China and Chinese communities worldwide, the Lunar New Year is also a major event in some other East Asian and Southeast Asian countries, such as Korea and Vietnam. In China, the Lunar New Year is known as Chūnjié in Mandarin or the Spring Festival. Koreans refer to it as Seollal, and Vietnamese call it Tết.
Chinese New Year is full of activities that honour deities and ancestors. Families gather for dinner feasts and get together for parades featuring music, dancing, costumes, and firework displays.
Which animal represents the 2024 Chinese New Year?
The Chinese calendar is an ancient system that has been in use for centuries, and it is based on a 12-year cycle. Each of the years is linked to one of twelve animals that are important to Chinese culture: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. The year 2024, in the Gregorian calendar (western calendar), is the Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese calendar.
Each animal comes with a plethora of positive symbolism. The Dragon is an auspicious and powerful mythical creature in the Chinese folklore. It’s a symbol of power, wealth, luck, honor, nobility, and success. As such, 2024 is anticipated to bring opportunities for growth and change, as well as challenges. This year may present favourable chance for those seeking a shift in their lives.
But the traditional Chinese calendar is much more than the animal zodiac. In addition to the cycle of 12 animals, this ancient system is also based on the 10 heavenly stems. Each of these stems has a connection to one of the five elements of Taoism. Fire, water, earth, metal, and wood are all represented and play an important role in this fascinating astrological system. This year, the heavenly stem is wood. So 2024 is technically the Year of the Wood Dragon. This wood element is said to bring imagination, leadership, and new ideas.
How does Thailand celebrate Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year is not a public holiday in Thailand, but people across the nation still celebrate it with enthusiasm and joy. From Bangkok to Chiang Mai and all places in between, temples are decked out in red lanterns and crowded with people coming to pray for the year ahead. Firecrackers are set off everywhere while dragon dances and parades fill the streets with energy and excitement. Moreover, the streets also come alive with red decorations, and many people wear red clothes. This is because red symbolises happiness, good luck, and good fortune, as well as a way to ward off evil spirits. It’s not just Chinese communities that come together to celebrate either – people from all walks of life join the festivities too.
The festival also brings with it a wide range of commercial activities. Chinese New Year offers will be available in almost every shop and mall throughout the country. For three days, there are massive discounts on goods, ranging from traditional foods to modern-day electronics.
Family gatherings, ang pao, and oranges
The Chinese communities in Thailand usually take at least a day off from their busy schedules to spend time with family and friends. The eve of the new year is the time to pray and pay respect to ancestors. Dinner is often the highlight of new year’s eve. It provides a chance to indulge in delicious dishes while catching up with loved ones.
On New Year’s Day, many Chinese families will be following a tradition of exchanging red envelopes called ang pao. Inside these special envelopes is money to symbolise a wish for good luck and prosperity in the coming year. It is customary for parents to give these gifts to their unmarried children. Moreover, most people visit their extended families and relatives on this day to exchange a few oranges and tangerines as well.
In Chinese culture, oranges and tangerines have been used for centuries to represent a better year ahead, and for a good reason. The words for tangerine and orange in Chinese sound similar to the words for luck and success. Besides, sharing these fruits also signifies a strong bond between loved ones.
Where to go for the most festive Chinese New Year events in Thailand?
Here are some of the best places to go to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Thailand.
Bangkok
Yaowaraj, Bangkok’s Chinatown, is the place to be if you want to join in on the Chinese New Year celebrations. Every year, locals and tourists alike flock to this area for the biggest and best celebration of the Chinese New Year. The streets are with vibrant red decorations, lanterns, and festive music – setting a cheerful atmosphere for all who visit.
The festivities include firework displays and cultural performances such as lion dance shows and traditional music played by street bands. There will also be a variety of mouth-watering snacks from carts selling everything from steamed buns to noodles. Plus, you’ll find traditional crafts at market stalls and, of course, plenty of photo opportunities.
Looking for a restaurant to celebrate Chinese New Year in Bangkok? Check out our guide article on the top restaurants to go for Chinese New Year 2024.
Hat Yai
In Hat Yai, the Chinese New Year will take place from Friday, 13 February 2024 to Tuesday, 14 February 2024 at Sri Nakhon Foundation School. From 17:00 to 23:30, there will be an array of attractions. These include lantern puppets, stunning light displays, live performances, and traditional dragon and lion dances, among others. There’ll also be Miss Chinese Hat Yai contest, as well as stalls and trucks offering delectable selection of dishes.
Nakhon Sawan
Nakhon Sawan is home to a large Chinese-Thai population. That’s why the Chinese New Year celebrations here is big and last for days. This year, the Pak Nam Pho Chinese New Year festival will kick off on Saturday, 3 February 2024 and ends on Wednesday, 14 February 2024. The highlight of the event will be the Night Parade on 12 February followed by the Day Parade on 13 February.
Phuket
In Phuket, the celebrations take place in many areas. From the streets of Phuket Town to the beaches, you can find various festivals and parties celebrating the Chinese New Year. The busiest celebrations will usually be found on Dibuk Road, Phang Nga Road, and Thalang Road.
Chiang Mai
When it comes to celebrating Chinese New Year, there’s no better place than Warorot Market in the historic city of Chiang Mai. This bustling street market is a fantastic way to experience all the culture and festivities that come with this joyous time of year. With its winding lanes lined with food and souvenir stalls, it’s sure to be an awesome experience.
Here’s hoping that the Year of the Dragon will be full of luck and joy for us all!
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