Bangkok, January 11, 2012 — The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will mark the 37th Anniversary of Thai-Chinese diplomatic relations between January 19-29, 2012 with a range of lively, colourful Chinese New Year festivities in Bangkok and ten provinces nationwide. This year’s celebrations will be even more special than the previous years as it coincides with three other auspicious occasions that are very significant to the Thai people. These three auspicious occasions are the 84th Birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the 80th Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, and the 60th Birthday of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.
In cooperation with the Chinese Government, various Thai-Chinese associations, government agencies and private companies, the celebrations will be held in Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chon Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Songkhla, Phuket and Trang. Here is the full list:
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NAKHON SAWAN CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2012, January 16 – 27, 2012, throughout the city of Nakhon Sawan The province of Nakhon Sawan is known to the locals by its other name — Pak Nam Pho. This is where the Ping, Wang, Yom, and Nan Rivers converge to form the Chao Phraya River — the ‘River of Kings’. Hence, the province is frequently referred to as the ‘gateway’ to the North. Nakhon Sawan is famous for the Chao Pho-Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho Fair and procession, organised by Thais of Chinese ancestry in Nakhon Sawan province during the Chinese New Year celebrations. The festivities are held in honour of Chao Pho Pak Nam Pho, a highly revered deity; hence, the origin of its name. Special performance of folk dances from the city of Xinji in Hebei province in northern China will be performed on January 24-26, 2012. Local residents seek blessings for the 2012 Chinese New Year – the Year of the Dragon – by paying homage to Chao Pho and Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho, the guardian spirits of Nakhon Sawan province. Visitors and residents are invited to take part in merit-making activities at Lan Bun Thepachao, the Garden of Chinese Deities. |
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SINO-SIAMESE RELATIONSHIP FESTIVAL, January 20 – 22, 2012, 17.00 – 21.00 hrs at the Ayutthaya Tourism Centre (Old Provincial Hall)
Ayutthaya provincial authorities have received exceptional cooperation and support from the People’s Republic of China Ministry of Culture in jointly staging a spectacular cultural showcase as part of the province’s Sino-Siamese Relationship Festival – a celebration of Chinese as well as Thai culture. The cultural showcase sponsored by the Chinese state authorities will be presented by a cast of 180 performers from Inner Mongolia, the city of Xinji in Hebei province in northern China, Qinghai Tibetan (Qingzang) Plateau, and Kansu province. This includes a performance by the Chinese National Orchestra, a live demonstration of kung fu martial arts and Chinese acrobatics. Visitors will be presented with an opportunity to taste a wide variety of Thai and Chinese delicacies and shop for products from the PRC such as fine Chinese silks and ceramic and porcelain products from Jiangxi province, the home of Chinese porcelain. |
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NAKHON RATCHASIMA (KORAT) CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL, January 20 – 25, 2012, at the Thao Suranaree Memorial Plaza, Suan Suranaree (Suranaree Park) Suan Anusornstan (Anusornstan Park) in Nakhon Ratchasima provincial centre and town (Amphoe Mueang)
The 2012 Chinese New Year celebrations in Nakhon Ratchasima province, also known as Korat, are being staged under the theme “In Search of Chin Shi”. The cultural highlights being presented as part of the festivities pay tribute to the first great emperor of the Chin Dynasty, Chin Shih Huang-ti (also known as Qin Shi Huang or Qin Er Shi). Festival activities will take place in several dedicated zones such as Chinatown, The Forbidden Palace on the Central Stage, cultural performances and Food Street with a multitude of shops and food stalls offering a great variety of delicious food. |
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HAT YAI CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL, January 21 – 25, 2012, at Srinakhorn Foundation School, Songkhla province.
The festive highlights include 1) a ceremony hosted in honour of His Majesty the King, 2) Chinese acrobatic show from Kansu province, the People’s Republic of China, 3) a spectacular fireworks and light-and-sound show with colourful bursts of fireworks taking the shape of waterfalls, silver dragon and golden dragon, 3) Silver dragon, Golden dragon and Lion Dance show from Nakhon Sawan province, 4) concert by Chinese singers and Nadech and Yaya – both popular local artists representing Thai TV Channel 3, 5) Miss Hatyai Chinese 2012 contest and China Doll 2012 contest, 6) international karaoke singing contest, and 7) local residents and visitors are invited to take part in merit-making activities and pay homage to nine sacred gods in accordance with Chinese customs and traditions. |
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RATCHABURI CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL, January 22 – 26, 2012, in front of the Ratchaburi National Museum
The highlight will be a demonstration of Kung fu martial arts from Beijing, PRC. The Ratchaburi Chinatown Procession, water screen and fireworks display and Young Mr & Miss Chinatown contest and Mr and Miss Chinatown contest will be held on January 24 – 26. |
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BANGKOK CHINATOWN CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2012, Grand Opening Ceremony on January 23, 2012, at Chalermphrakiat Gate, Odeon Circle, Yaowarat Road, Sampantawong District, Bangkok
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside at the Bangkok Chinatown Chinese New Year official opening ceremony on January 23. Two shows – one featuring a Thai cultural showcase and the other hosted and presented by the People’s Republic of China Ministry of Culture. This will be followed by a 1.5 hour Yaowaraj Cultural Showcase. |
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CHIANG MAI CHINATOWN CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL, January 23 – 24, 2012, at Lao Chow Lane, Chiang Mai
The Chiang Mai Chinatown Chinese New Year Festival presents a rare opportunity to enjoy a musical performance by the Chinese National Opera on January 24. Witness the Golden Dragon and Golden Lion Procession and a cultural procession staged by the province’s ethnic Chinese Tai Seua tribes people. |
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SUPHAN BURI CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL, January 23 – 29, 2012, at the Museum of the Descendants of the Dragon in Suphan Buri
The grand opening ceremony of the Suphan Buri Chinese New Year Festival will be held on January 24 and the cultural performances will be held on January 24 – 29, 2012. The programme of engaging cultural presentations from the People’s Republic of China features the following highlights ; 1) Thousand Arms Kuan Yin, Goddess of Mercy and Compassion, 2) Chinese acrobatic performance, 3) light and pyrotechnics show and Heavenly Glowing Dragon display, 4) fireworks show, and 5) folk music performance. |
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AYUTTHAYA ANCIENT CITY CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2012, January 24 – 29, 2012, at Naresuan Road from Chao Phrom Market to Chao Ai Chao Yi Chedi.
Major highlights include a Dragon Contest, Chinese teng leng lantern displays, Young Miss Chinese contest, the Best of Ayutthaya Food Festival and the Chinese food eating contest. Dragon contest: The procession staged by the 108 Chinese shrines in the 16 districts of Ayutthaya province presents an opportunity for local residents to pay homage to Chinese deities and guardian spirits who watch over them and ensure their good fortune and well-being. The Best of Ayutthaya Food Festival and a retro-market are staged to capture the atmosphere of traditional markets in times past. The event is being organised with the support of organisations representing various Chinese family names. |
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PHUKET CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2012, January 28 – 30, 2012, at Phuket Old Town – Klang Road, Thalang Road, Thepkasatri Road, Phuket.
The festive highlights include 1) a procession in honour of His Majesty the King, 2) Baba Yaya Peranakan Procession, 3) journey back in time as Old Phuket turns back the clock and visitors are treated to a rare performance of a Portuguese-style stage play presented by the Thai Peranakan Association based in Phuket town, 4) local cultural showcase with colourful presentations of local culture, traditions and way of life on the tropical island paradise of Phuket, and 5) Phuket residents observe time-honoured traditions and pay homage to the highly revered Goddess Kuan Yin and other Chinese deities and guardian spirits. |
