Thailand Chinese New Year Festival

Come to celebrate the Chinese New Year at the biggest Chinatown in Thailand, Yaowarat Road renowned as the Golden Road, the Land of the Siamese Dragon. Watch the beauty, treasure the Chinese cultural demonstrations and experience a wide range of Chinese cuisine available at famous restaurants as well as fashion shows depicting ancient Chinese attire from various regions. The goldsmith shops offer you beautiful souvenirs. Last but not least, Chinese movies are sure to fascinate you.

Chinese New Year is the most important event of the traditional Chinese holidays.
The festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first lunar month and this year, it falls on 26 January, 2009.

In Bangkok, the Samphanthawong District, is the largest China Town in Thailand. It’s also well–known as the street of goldsmith shops and various tasteful dishes. Its people still preserve their ways of life, tradition and culture. That’s why, the Chinese New Year celebration in this square is a major festival and well organized every year.   

In realization of its importance, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)  would like to take this opportunity to celebrate this wonderful moment with all Thai-
Chinese both some who live within the country as well as those overseas to be
a part of this period to celebrate this New Year festival with all Chinese around
the world.
We proudly present wonderful events both in Bangkok and in major tourism cities around the country with magnificent performances from the People’s Republic of China, as it’s a way of cultural exchange as well as supports and promotes tourism.

It’s now time to put on a red shirt or blouse and say “Xin Nian Kuai Le, Gong xi Fa Cai” which means, Happy New Year and have a prosperous year!

The Chinese New Year Festival in 7 major  cities

1. Bangkok : Chinese New Year Festival at China Town
Date :  26-27 January, 2009
Venue :  Bangkok  

At China Town, Bangkok
Date:  26 January, 2009
Time:  16.30 hrs. (as per the Royal Official Programme)
   - Arrival of H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn,
     Chairperson of the ceremony.   
What to do and see.
- Pay homage to the “Guan Yin” statue from China and enjoy Chinese cultural performances from various regions and provinces of this country as well as wonderful cultural performances from the Kalasin College of Dramatic Arts and fabulous shows by GMM Grammy artists. Pick up your camera and snap the beautiful Chinese decorations and lights in China Town and its neighboring streets.

At CentralWorld, Bangkok
Date:  26 January, 2009 
Time:  13.00 hrs. onward
What to do and see.
- Welcome the large troupe of more than 100 performers from various regions and provinces of China and feast your eyes on their magnificent shows.
Be the  witness of the cultural exchange ceremony between the P.R. China and Kingdom of Thailand, in which the Minister of Culture, P.R. China and Minister
of  Tourism and Sports, Thailand will deliver a speech and greet people in the two countries through a live broadcast. 

Date:  27 January, 2009
Time:  13.00 hrs. onward
- Enjoy the cultural performances from China 

For more information, please contact :
Samphanthawong Administration District Tel. 0 2234 3460, 0 22373345
TAT Bangkok Tel. 0 2250 5500 ext 2991-5 

2. Chonburi
2.1 Chinese New Year Festival
Date : 24, 26-27 January, 2009
Venue : South Pattaya Port (Balihai)  
What to do and see. 
24 January, 2009 : 19.00 – 22.00 hrs.
- Features cultural performances from various regions and provinces of China
at the Central Festival Shopping Center, Pattaya Beach  and South Pattaya Port 
26-27 January, 2009
- Let’s experience the typical fabulous show of Chinese New Year: the lion dance, Chinese Girl 2009 Contest, and enjoy various form of entertainment. 

2.2 Chinese New Year  Festival  2009
Date : 26 January – 1 February, 2009
Venue : Najataijue Chinese Shrine 
What to see and do.
- Experience religious rituals and refresh your mind in this auspicious moment.
 
For more information, please contact :
TAT Chon Buri Tel. 0 3842 7667, 0 3842 8750, 03842 3990
Pattaya City Tel. 0 3825 3129

3. Hat Yai Chinese New Year 2009
Date:  26-28 January, 2009
Venue: Sanehanusorn Rd.  Hat Yai City and Hat Yai Municipality Public Park
What to do and see?
- Experience the magnificent dragon and lion dances and the wonderful decorations in Chinese style along the road, enjoy various forms of entertainment, Chinese Dolls 2009 Contest as well as purchase various goods and food. Or ahead to Hat Yai Municipality Public Park and pick up your camera to snap the beautiful various styles of lanterns as well as enjoy the Chinese cultural performances from various regions and province of China during 28-29 January, 2009.

For more information, please contact :
TAT Hat Yai Tel. 0 7423 1055, 0 7423 8518

4. Phuket : Chinese New Year –  10th Old Phuket Festival
Date : 31 January - 2 February, 2009, 18.00 - 23.00 hrs.
Venue: Queen’s Park, Thalang Rd., Krabi Rd. and Soi Rommani

What to do and see?
Welcome to Phuket on this wonderful moment!
Enjoy the magnificent ambience like walking in China on the Largest island of Thailand. Experience a Chinese opera, demonstration of Kung Fu fighting, and Chinese cultural performances from China at the Queen’s Park, various activities i.e. watching the animation at Sino-Portuguese House No. 63 and many films that have been shot in Phuket as well as the exhibition of Sino- Portuguese Buildings in downtown. And then!  Time to fill up with yummy food while walking along Bangyai Canal. 
A thing-not-to-miss on 31 January, 2009 is to be ready for the wonderful parade in downtown (from Sapanhin – Phuket Rd. – Surin Cycle. – Ratsada Rd., Suriyadej Cycle, Yaowarat Rd. and Thalang Rd.) and on 1  February, 2009, there’s a another chance to enjoy Chinese opera, Kung Fu fighting and Chinese cultural performances at the Jangselon Shopping Center, Patong Beach.
On 2 February, 2009, from 22.09 – midnight  - Let’s refresh your mind with the religious rituals at Queen’s Park.  

For more information, please contact 
TAT Phuket Tel. 0 7621 2213, 0 7621 1063
www.tourismthailand.org/phuket
Public Relation Division, Phuket City Tel. 0 7621 2196
    

5. Nakhon Sawan Chinese New Year Festival 2009
Date: 19-30 January, 2009
Venue: Nakhon Sawan

What to do and see.
On 19 January, 2009, there is the opening ceremony of the Paknampho Chinese New Year Festival 2009 at Hat Sawan Lanboon 

19 – 30 January, 2009 – Pay respect to the Chinese gods and goddesses in the Chinese New Year Festival, enjoy food and goods as well as entertainment.
** 28 January, 2009 (nighttime) and 29 January, 2009 (daytime) – features the magnificent parade celebrating the Chinese New Year downtown. 

For more information, please contact:
The Organizing Committee Tel. 0 5621 3614
TAT Uthai Thani Tel. 0 5651 4982

6. Chiang Mai Chinese New Year 2009
Date: 26-27 January, 2009
Venue : Kuang Meru, China Town

What to do and see?
Start your new day with Chinese exercise at 06.00 hrs. and enjoy Chinese cultural performances and music, various forms of entertainment, and Chinese food from evening until midnight.   

For more information, please contact :
TAT Chiang Mai Tel. 0 5324 8604, 0 5324 8607
Chiang Mai Municipality Office Tel. 0 5325 9365
 
7. Nakhon Ratchasima Chinese New Year Festival 2009 
Date: 26-27 January, 2009
Venue: Thao Suranari Statue Area

What to do and to see. 
Enjoy the wonderful decorations in the city, feast your eyes on the
Chinese cultural performances and music, enjoy Chinese food and goods.
(26 January, 2009 : enjoy the dragon and lions dance; 27 January, 2009 : Chinese Acrobatics Show)  

For more information, please contact :
TAT Nakhon Ratchasima Tel. 0 4421 3030, 04421 3666
Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality Office Tel. 0 442 42007

A thing-not-to-miss!
As it’s the celebration of the Chinese New Year, let’s experience authentic Chinese cultural performances from the various regions and provinces of P.R. China and welcome the performers who come to celebrate this wonderful event with us here.

Where do they come from? 
1. Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
  Located in the South of China with its border close to Vietnam.
Its people are Zhuang, who has a way of life and language similar to Thailand and Lao PDR. The performers are from Nanning the capital and largest city, and they will perform various cultural performances, acrobatics and Chinese opera (changing masks).
 
2. Hainan Province
  It is the second largest island located in the South China Sea with a population of around 10 million. Thai people know it as “Hai Lam” which is the sister city of Phuket. As it’s an island, we will enjoy island culture and folk plays.

3. Shandong Province
  Are you ready to be excited? The Shandong performers, who come from the Northeast – Central, will stimulate your heart with performances from Yantai City, another sister city of Phuket, with demonstrations of Kung Fu fighting and martial arts.

4. Anhui Province
  Located in the centre near the Yangtze River, the hometown of Bao Qingtian, the Justice of the Supreme Court of the province who is well-known for being loyal and honest. Anhui performers will present their wonderful typical show and Chinese opera in the act of Bao Qingtian.

5. Heilongjian Autonomous  Region
  Talking about one of the coldest cities in the world, “Harbin” will always be on the top rank as it’s located at the northernmost part of the country where its temperature is sometimes -40 degrees. In this connection, they will bring  wonderful music and chorus accompanying folk instrument to present to you.

6. Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
  If you know Genghis Khan or Kublai Khan, it’s now time to welcome people from their region Inner Mongolia.  As the geography is steppes and highland,
their performances derive from their way of life and tradition.    

7. Jilin Province
  It maybe a little bit strange to hear “Jilin Province”, but you will feel familiar if you’re informed that, its people are Manchu. To celebrate the Chinese New Year Festival, they will perform a wonderful magic show.

Remark: The programme is subject to change without prior notice. 

Why we wear red on the Chinese New Year’s Day?
Chinese believe that red is a lucky colour, so, that’s why they wear red on New Year’s Day. Furthermore, it can chase away bad luck.

Bor Sang Umbrella and Sankampaeng Handicraft Festival
Date : 16 to 18 January 2009
Venue : Bor Sang village, Chiang Mai

Bor Sang, on highway 1006 heading east from Chiang Mai, appears to be a typical sleepy rural village, the kind the tour bus speeds by giving you just a fleeting glimpse of its two-storey wooden houses.  But hidden in the tiny lanes, villagers have perfected a craft that creates the country’s most famous umbrellas. For more than 100 years, the village has been associated with the production of umbrellas made from Saa paper derived from mulberry tree bark.  According to local history, a monk travelled to neighbouring Myanmar, where he came across Saa paper umbrellas that offered protection against both the sun and rain. He returned with the production technique and introduced the umbrella to the elders of Bor Sang village, who added their own artistic skills to create a distinctive colourful, but very practical, umbrella. At first it was just a profitable hobby that supplemented the villagers’ earnings from the annual rice crop. However, with time production of the Saa paper umbrellas prospered, prompting villagers to establish a handicraft cooperative in 1941 that now organises the annual festival.

Using silk and cotton, weaved at neighbouring Sankampaeng, villagers eventually added a second line of umbrellas decorated with images of the north, its flowers and birds, all intricately hand-painted. 

Today, Bor Sang village exports both Saa-paper and silk umbrellas.  They are seen at trade shows in a variety of sizes, from giant parasols that offer a shady canopy from the sun, to miniscule variations that adorn popular cocktail drinks.

To celebrate success the village hosts a three-day festival every January. Streets are illuminated by lanterns, while hundreds of umbrellas are hung from the rafters and beams of houses and shops.  Bands play, while villagers compete to design the year’s most attractive umbrella.  Concerts, a food festival and beauty contest all compete for the attention of the audience, a  mix of both tourists and residents, who gather here to celebrate Bor Sang’s innovative handicraft skills.

Throughout the year, tourists visit the village, a short 6 km drive from Chiang Mai, to buy umbrellas and study the process and skills that go into making a handicraft entirely from natural products.  But nothing quite compares with the buzz that permeates the village during this colourful three-day handicraft festival, every January. It is a scene that represents village hospitality and charm at its very best. 

For more information
TAT Chiang Mai Office, Tel. 66 (0) 5324 8604, 5324 8607, 5324 1466

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