Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will inaugurate the Chinatown Festival and Bangkok Chinese New Year Celebrations on February 3, 2011, at 16.00 hrs, at Chinatown, Yaowarat Road in Bangkok.
The official inauguration will be the highlight of a range of lively and colorful Chinese New Year festival activities being organized this year by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) together with the Chinese Government, various Thai-Chinese associations, government agencies, and private companies. The events will run during 1-9 February 2011 in Bangkok and nine provinces nationwide.
This year’s festivities will be extra special because they will commemorate His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday and 36th Anniversary of the Sino-Thai diplomatic relationship. They will showcase the best of Chinese culture and traditions in Thailand and also boost tourism.
Some of the themed activities include:
Bangkok:
– Chinese New Year 2011 formal ceremonies with speeches by the Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand and Minister of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, and a cultural performance from China on 3 February 2011 at 13.00 hrs, CentralWorld shopping complex. Participants and visitors will enjoy dragon dances, fireworks, and demonstration of auspicious foods, local Chinese food, and products.
– The 36th Anniversary of the Sino-Thai diplomatic relationship cultural performance daily between 8-11 February 2011 at the National Theater. The performance will feature more than 200 people from 56 Chinese ethnic groups.
Nakhon Sawan:
“Amazing Nakhon Sawan Chinese New Year, Celebrate H.M. the King’s 84th Birthday,” 27 January – 7 February 2011. The activities will highlight Chinese culture from various parts of Nakhon Sawan like writing auspicious Chinese characters, fortune tellers, and Chinese food festival.
Nakhon Ratchasima:
“Chinese New Year Korat 54, Amazing Shanghai,” 3-5 February 2011 at the Thao Suranaree Monument courtyard and memorial park. The activities will highlight the decoration of Chumphon Road to make it look the same as Shanghai city, golden lion parade, Chinese food, souvenir shops, “ung-pao” (money-envelopes), and lucky draws.
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya:
“5th Chinese New Year Celebration 2011 in the Ancient City, Ayutthaya,” 4-8 February 2011, 17.00-23.00 hrs, in front of Chao Prom Market, Naresuan Road and in front of the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipal Office. The activities include the opening ceremony, the contest of Miss Chinese New Year and kids and Chinese costume.
Suphan Buri:
“Chinese New Year in Suphan Buri, Amazing 3 years of the Dragon Descendants Museum,” 3-7 February 2011, at the Descendants Dragon Museum. Activities include the opening ceremony, fireworks, performances of folk music, and Chinese dance.
Ratchaburi:
“Ratchaburi China Town 2011,” 2-6 February 2011 at the Ratchaburi National Museum. Activities include the Ratchaburi China Town parade, water curtain show, fireworks, light and sound show, Mister and Miss Chinese New Year contest.
Phuket:
“Chinese New Year Festival – Back to the Past of Phuket Town,” 8-10 February 2011, at the Chalermprakiat Park and Thalang Road. Activities will highlight the lifestyle of the Phuket people in the old days, local people wearing traditional Phuket apparel, the show from Suining city of the People Republic of China, signing the MOU for Twin cities between Suining city and Phuket.
Chiang Mai:
“China Town in Chiang Mai,” 4-6 February 2011, 09.00-24.00 hrs. at Trok Lao Cho. The outstanding activities will be the exhibition of the giant oranges basket, Kung Fu from Guangxi, fire dragon show and lion dance.
Chonburi (Pattaya):
“Chinese New Year Festival in Pattaya City,” 3-5 February 2011, Pho Na Klue Courtyard, Banglamung district. For further information on activities, please contact the TAT Pattaya Office, Tel: 038-427667, 038-428750.
Songkhla (Hat Yai):
“Chinese New Year Festival in Hat Yai,” February 2011 at Srinakorn School courtyard. For further information on activities, please contact the TAT Hat Yai office, Tel: 074-231055, 074-238518.
Source: Tourism Authorithy of Thailand
