Pattaya mayor says there will be no festivals, fireworks for Chinese New Year

There will be no parades, carnivals, festivals, fireworks, or other events that draw large crowds during the February 1 Chinese New Year ceremony in Pattaya, according to the mayor Sonthaya Khunplume. While the major festivities won’t be happening this year, the city will still be decorated to celebrate the Year of the Tiger.

Religious events will still be able to take place, but with a small audience due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation in Chon Buri’s Banglamung district. The Covid-19 infection rate in Chon Buri has been dropping, hitting a three-week low with 316 new cases reported today, but health officials are still being cautious.

All attendees to the small, religious events must abide by the standard Covid-19 precautions such as wearing face masks, social distancing, and checking temperatures. Before the pandemic, Pattaya used to celebrate Chinese New Year with parades, acrobatic displays, culinary festivals, and other festivities.

The mayor added that Pattaya intends to proceed with plans for a music festival in March and a Songkran festival in April (water fights are still up for discussion), stating that he and health officials believe the situation will have considerably improved by the time these events are held.

SOURCE: The Pattaya News