Chinese new year

 Chinese new year

Sino-Thai trade and cultural ties span the centuries. In times past, sea-farers, marine merchants and traders sailed up the kingdom’s rivers with vessels laden with merchandise and precious goods including Chinese tea, silk and fine porcelain. As trade between the two countries flourished, permanent settlements of peoples of various ethnic Chinese origin were soon established. While the early settlers quickly adapted to their new way of life and adopted Thai ways, they also continued to maintain strong cultural ties and practiced the customs and traditions diligently observed by their forefathers. Of these, the celebration of the Chinese New Year remains the most important of annual festivals on the Chinese lunar calendar observed in the various regions of Thailand.
Festive celebrations are typically staged in areas where there is a significant Thai-Chinese community such as the Yaowarat district in Bangkok and in the provinces of Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Chon Buri (Pattaya district) and Ratchaburi in Central Thailand, Nakhon Ratchasima in Northeastern Thailand, Nakhon Sawan (Pak Nam Pho) and Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand, Songkhla (Hat Yai district) and Phuket in Southern Thailand.
While a variety of contemporary elements have been incorporated through the passage of time, Chinese New Year celebrations throughout Thailand are a reminder of the rich cultural and artistic legacy and wealth of history preserved in these ‘living museums’.
CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN BANGKOK

	THAI-CHINESE CULTURAL FESTIVAL AT THE THAILAND CULTURAL CENTER Celebrating 36 years of Thai-Chinese relations February 1, 2011/ 15.00 and 19.00 To mark the 36th anniversary of the establishment of Thai-Chinese relations, cultural performances will be presented at the Thailand Cultural Center at 15.00 and 19.00.
	CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL AT CENTRAL WORLD February 3, 2011/ 13.00 hrs Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports and the Minister of Culture of the People's Republic of China (PRC) will jointly lead festive activities commencing with a formal exchange of New Year wishes. Spectacular cultural presentations by performers from the PRC are among the many highlights of the Chinese New Year celebrations at CentralWorld.
	BANGKOK CHINATOWN CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 3, 2011 The presentation of Chinese art and culture and a dazzling range of cultural performances and live entertainment, the eternally popular highlights of each and every Yawarat Chinatown Chinese New Year celebration, will be staged in front of the throne hall (Phra Tinang) at Odeon Circle on Yawarat Road.
	PARADISE PARK CHINESE NEW YEAR At Paradise Park Shopping Mall on Srinakarin Road February 3 – 6, 2011
NORTHERN THAILAND
	NAKHON SAWAN AMAZING NAKHON SAWAN CHINESE NEW YEAR 2011: Celebrating the 84th Birthday of His Majesty the King January 27 – February 7, 2011 At Pak Nam Pho Market and along the bank of the Chao Phraya River in the Nakhon Sawan provincial center
	CHIANG MAI CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 CHIANG MAI CHINATOWN February 4 – 6, 2011/09.00 - Midnight At Trok Lao Cho
NORTHEASTERN THAILAND
	NAKHON RATCHASIMA (KORAT) KORAT CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 3 – 5, 2011 At the Thao Suranaree Memorial and Suranaree Park in the Nakhon Ratchasima provincial centre
CENTRAL THAILAND
	SUPHAN BURI CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 Celebrating the Third Anniversary of The Dragon Descendants Museum February 3 - 7, 2011 Chao Phor Lak Mueang City Pillar Shrine and Dragon Descendants Museum, Suphan Buri
	AYUTTHAYA ANCIENT CITY CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 4 - 8, 2011/ 17.00 – 23.00 Naresuan Road (from the Chao Phrom Market to the Chao Ai Chao Yee Chedi)
	RATCHABURI CHINATOWN CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 2 – 6, 2011 At the Ratchaburi National Museum
SOUTHERN THAILAND
	OLD PHUKET CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 8 - 10, 2011 At the Chalermprakiet 72 Years Queen Sirikit Park and Thalang Road
	HAT YAI CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 3 - 5, 2011 At the Hat Yai Municipality Park and in front of Srinakorn School, Hat Yai district, Songkhla province
EASTERN SEABOARD
	PATTAYA CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 3 - 5, 2011 At Laan Pho Na Kleua, Banglamung district

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NORTHERN THAILAND
	NAKHON SAWAN AMAZING NAKHON SAWAN CHINESE NEW YEAR 2011: Celebrating the 84th Birthday of His Majesty the King January 27 – February 7, 2011 At Pak Nam Pho Market and along the bank of the Chao Phraya River in the Nakhon Sawan provincial center Activities and Highlights For an auspicious start to the Year of The Rabbit, ancient customs and traditions will be observed. A religious ceremony to dispel bad luck will be performed before the festive celebrations begin. Thousand Hand Kuan Yin, Goddess of Mercy and Compassion — a special performance presented courtesy of the People's Republic of China Light-and-sound show on the Chao Phraya River and dancing water screen Chinese-style stage shows and cultural presentations The Chao Por-Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho Procession By Night on 5 February Traditional street processions and parades will be staged in the day-time on 6 February. Nakhon Sawan Chinatown will showcase various cultural traditions from each of the districts of Nakhon Sawan including consultations with feng shui masters and live demonstrations of the time-honoured Chinese tea-making ceremony Lantern Festival An exhibition of colourful traditional Chinese lanterns in various shapes and form depicting the creatures that represent the twelve signs of the Chinese horoscope, celestial beings from Chinese folklore and the dragons of the Chinese deities. Chinese and International Food Festival Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Uthai Thani Office Areas of Responsibility: Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Uthai Thani Tel: +66 (0) 5651 4982 Fax: +66 (0) 5651 2916 E-mail: tatuthai@tat.or.th TAT Call Center 1672
	CHIANG MAI CHINATOWN CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 4 – 6, 2011/09.00 - Midnight At Trok Lao Cho Highlights and Activities A special Kung Fu Chinese martial arts demonstration presented by the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Southern China, courtesy of the People's Republic of China Fire Dragon and Fire Lion shows Stage performances and Chinese musical performances Chiang Mai Chinese New Year Walking Street The Chiang Mai Chinese New Year Walking Street is divided into two zones: A cultural showcase with stage cultural presentations, live demonstrations and performances to highlight the various aspects of Thai-Chinese culture, traditions and way of life in the northern city of Chiang Mai being presented by local residents of Chinese descent, Thai—Chinese associations, clubs and foundations. The second zone features a food street with individual stalls representing many of Chiang Mai’s finest restaurants noted for their delicious Chinese cuisine. Miss Chiang Mai Chinatown Contest and kids’ contest Chiang Mai Chinese New Year Festival Parade 4 February 2011 from 09.00 onwards The Chiang Mai Chinese New Year grand parade features several lively processions such as the Golden Dragon procession, the Golden Lion dance, the procession of the Chinese deities, the Chinese music procession, and processions organized by associations, clubs, foundations, and individuals of Chinese ancestry. Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chiang Mai Office Tel: +66 (0) 5324 8604, (0) 5324 8607 Fax: +66 (0) 5324 8605 E-mail: tatchmai@tat.or.th
NORTHEASTERN THAILAND
	NAKHON RATCHASIMA KORAT CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 3 – 5, 2011 At the Thao Suranaree Memorial and Suranaree Park in the Nakhon Ratchasima provincial center Activities/Highlights Procession of the Golden Dragon and Lion Dance Fire Dragon performance Descendants of the Dragon Light-and-Sound show A grand showcase of Chinese art and culture including cultural presentations and performances by the 56 ethnic minorities of the PRC Giant Lantern Festival Pay homage to sacred Chinese deities Receive ‘ang pow’ red packets (envelopes) and Mandarin oranges for good luck Lucky draw for prizes Chinese food stalls Shop for souvenirs and other items Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Nakhon Ratchasima Office Tel: +66 (0) 4421 3030, (0) 4421 3666 Fax: +66 (0) 4421 3667 E-mail: tatsima@tat.or.th
CENTRAL THAILAND
	SUPHAN BURI CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 Celebrating the Third Anniversary of The Dragon Descendants Museum February 3 - 7, 2011 Chao Phor Lak Mueang City Pillar Shrine and Dragon Descendants Museum, Suphan Buri Activities and Highlights Suphan Buri Chinese New Year Festival Opening Ceremony Thousand Hand Kuan Yin, Goddess of Mercy and Compassion — a special performance presented courtesy of the People's Republic of China Mask Dance from the Sichuan Province of southwestern China in which the performers changed masks in the blink of an eye Folk dances and drum performance Chinese-style acrobatics, folk performances, cultural presentations and stage shows Pyrotechnics show and fireworks Redeem a special souvenir. Upon arrival at the Dragon Descendants Museum, visitors will be presented with a Suphan Buri Chinese New Year passport. To redeem a special souvenir at the end of the tour, simply present the passport with a total of eight stamps, so remember to have the passport stamped at each of the eight key attractions on site. Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Suphan Buri Office Tel: +66 (0) 3553 6030 Fax: +66 (0) 3553 6030 E-mail: tatsuphan@tat.or.th
	AYUTTHAYA ANCIENT CITY CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 4 - 8, 2011/ 17.00 – 23.00 Naresuan Road (from the Chao Phrom Market to the Chao Ai Chao Yee Chedi) Activities and Highlights: Observe ancient traditions and customs for an auspicious start to the Year of The Rabbit by paying homage to Chinese deities at the various shrines in the 16 district of Ayutthaya. Opening ceremony featuring the procession of the Chinese deities Procession of the Golden Dragon and Lion Dance Chinese opera Various contests such as the floral floats contest, traditional Chinese Teng Leng lantern contest, Young Mr and Miss Chinatown Contest, Chinese costume contest Food stalls and stalls offering attractively-priced products including sales of local products from each of the sub-districts or tambon of Ayutthaya province promoted under the OTOP – One Tambon One Product – label. Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Office Tel: +66 (0) 3524 6076-7 Fax: +66 (0) 3524 6078 E-mail: tatyutya@tat.or.th
	RATCHABURI CHINATOWN CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 2 – 6, 2011 At the Ratchaburi National Museum Highlights and Activities Ratchaburi Chinatown grand procession Tribal dance presented by Tibet Autonomous Region or Xizang Autonomous Region Light-and-sound presentation, musical water screens and fireworks Mr and Miss Chinatown contest and Young Mr and Miss Chinatown contest Food stalls and opportunities to shop for souvenirs and gift items Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phetchaburi Office Tel: +66 (0) 3247 1005-6 Fax: +66 (0) 3247 1502 E-mail: tatphet@tat.or.th
SOUTHERN THAILAND
	OLD PHUKET CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 8 - 10, 2011 At the Chalermprakiet 72 Years Queen Sirikit Park and Thalang Road Activities and Highlights Experience the culture and way of life in Old Phuket. Pay homage to Chinese deities at various shrines around Phuket on 11 February. A special presentation by performers from the city of Suining in the mountainous Sichuan province of southwest China. Suining is the hometown of the Goddess Guanyin (Kwan Yin). Witness the official signing ceremony that establishes Suining and Phuket as Twin Cities. Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phuket Office Tel: +66 (0) 7621 1036, (0) 7621 7138, (0) 7621 2213 Fax: +66 (0) 7621 3582 E-mail: tatphket@tat.or.th
	HAT YAI CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 3 - 5, 2011 At the Hat Yai Municipality Park and in front of Srinakorn School, Hat Yai district, Songkhla province Highlights and Activities Performances on stage Chinese acrobatics and cultural performances Fire-blowing Golden Dragon show Free concerts with international singers from Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore Miss Chinese Hat Yai 2011 beauty pageant February 3 at 6.00 pm Official opening ceremony on at Sri Nakhon School Join in a ceremony held in honour of His Majesty King Bhumibol Special effects and light-and-sound show with 200,000 fireworks and colourful smoke for the first time in the South. February 4 China Kids Contest Free concert by the Pancake band and famous singer from Malaysia February 5 Miss Chinese Hat Yai 2011 beauty pageant and free concert by The Bottom Blue and famous singer from Malaysia. Enjoy traditional Chinese delicacies of Songkhla Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Hat Yai Office Tel: +66 (0) 7423 1055, (0) 7423 8518, (0) 7424 3747 Fax: +66 (0) 7424 5986 E-mail: tatsgkhl@tat.or.th
EASTERN SEABOARD
	PATTAYA CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 3 - 5, 2011 At Laan Pho Park, Na Kleua, Banglamung district Special shows and performances: Dancing angels, lion dance, auspicious lion blessing dance, acrobatic lions, dragons climbing the heavenly pole, and dance tribute to the Goddess Kuan Yin. Programme 3 February 09.00 Worship ceremony at King Taksin Monument 10.00 Worship ceremony at Khommaluang Chumpnon Khet-Udomsak 11.00 Worship ceremony honouring gods and goddesses 16.00 Lion and Dragon Procession 19.00 Opening ceremony at Lan Pho Park, Na Kleua 21.00 Chinese classical dance performance on the main stage at Lan Pho Park 22.00 Lion and Dragon Procession, Walking Street 22.30 Ponglang Sa-On concert 4 February 18.30 Chinese classical dance performance on the main stage at Lan Pho Park 19.00 Chinese Girl Pattaya Pageant 2011 - 1st round 22.30 Palapol Concert; food and merchandise kiosks 5 February 18.30 Peter Fodify Concert 19.10 Chinese Girl Pattaya Pageant 2011 - final round 22.30 The Sun Concert and invited guests; food and merchandise kiosks Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pattaya Office Tel: +66 (0) 3842 7667, (0) 3842 8750, (0) 3842 3990 Fax: +66 (0) 3842 9113 E-mail: tatchon@tat.or.th

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