Chinese New Year Celebration in Thailand 2011

Thailand is one of the countries where Chinese New Year is celebrated with grandeur. In Thailand, Chinese New Year, also known as ‘Trut Chin’marks the

festival of ancestor worshipping and thanksgiving. This is the time of reunion with the family. Chinese New Year celebration in Thailand, 2011, which will be celebrated on 3rd February, will involve a variety of traditional events and customs.

Chinese New Year Celebration in Thailand

Chinese New Year celebration in Thailand dates back to the Ayutthaya Period when Chinese migrated to Thailand. Though the Chinese residing in Thailand have taken in almost all the tradition and culture of the Thai, the Chinese do no fail to celebrate their New Year with great show and pomp in Thailand. Over the years, Chinese New Year has become one of the principal festivals of Thailand.

Decorations of Lunar New Year Celebration in Thailand

Also known as the Spring Festival and Lunar New Year, the Chinese community of Thailand engage in week long preparation for celebrating this grand festival. Arranging dragon dances and colorful processions are done by the Chinese community living in Thailand. Red banners are usually put up on the main entrance of the houses and different shops. The interior of the rooms are also decorated with flower vases, tangerines and dried fruits.

Two days prior the New Year

Generally the Chinese people buy food in market two days before the start of the New Year.

Last day before the New Year

The last day of the year is marked by prayers and offerings made to the Gods as well as to the ancestors. The Chinese perform three kinds of prayers that include morning prayers to the Gods of Land, noon prayers to the ancestors and afternoon

prayers to those who do not have any relatives. Burning golden paper is done by the Chinese after every prayer.

New Year Day

First day of New Year is also marked by prayers. The first day of the New Year is considered the time of good luck and good fortune. Generally, prayers are made in the early morning. Most festive of the three days, on the day of the New Year, people meet their relatives for blessings. One of the most common customs is exchanging oranges and giving away ‘Ang Poa’to younger children.

Events of Chinese New Celebration in Thailand

Chinese New Year is mainly celebrated in Nakhon Sawan Province’s town center and in Bangkok’s Chinatown. Performances of lion dance form an important part of the festival since it is believed the performances ward off the evil spirits. Burning paper and incense sticks, offering food to the ancestors, street opera are the most common customs of Chinese New Year celebrations in Thailand.

Visitors flock to Nakhom Sawan area for participating in the celebrations. Food stalls line up both sides of the streets. In addition, banquets are displayed in streets which are meant to satisfy Chinese ancestral souls. Some of the regions of Thailand where Chinese New Year is celebrated with great grandeur are Phuket, Chiang Mai, Songkhla and Chon Buri. The atmosphere of Thailand is transformed into a different world with drums beating along with cymbals and gongs beings played. Firecrackers are also an important part of this festival, which echo from every part of Thailand.

Latest Updated on 14/12/2010