Chinese Year
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 CHINA 2004 1 Lunar Chinese New Year Monkey Full Zodiac C  US $135.00
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 CHINA 2004 1 Lunar Chinese New Year Monkey Full Zodiac D US $135.00
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Chinese New Year in Bangkok
It has been a few years since I have been to Bangkok’s Chinatown, and a couple more since I visited the area during Chinese New Year.
The reason is that area, which is around the Yaowaraj and Charon Krung Roads, is both not easy to get to, and is also difficult to navigate around. Having said that, if you have not been to the Chinese New Year festival in Bangkok before, then try to get there at least once. Every year there are Chinese and international music shows, traditional dancing and many cultural shows.
On getting there, many of you may be tempted to go by car, taxi, or tuk-tuk. My advice is don’t as many of the rods will be closed and the traffic around the area will be a nightmare! A better idea will be to take the MRT, which is Bangkok’s underground, to Hua Lumpong MRT station, which is located at Bangkok’s main railway station. I would probably then walk to Yaowaraj Road. Alternatively, for the more adventurous, try taking the BTS Skytrain to Taksin Bridge station, then walk to Sathorn pier, and take a river boat to Ratchawong Pier, and, again, walk to Yaowaraj.
The actual celebrations and festivities are staged along several roads in Chinatown from Traimit Road, past Wat Traimit temple, Chalermphrakiat Arch, Yawaraj Road and then on to the Ratchawong intersection.
2009 will be the Chinese year of the Ox, and the festival celebrations are scheduled to be held on January 26-27, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). However, as this immediately comes after the weekend, I suspect, in true Thai style, that there will also be special events on the Saturday and Sunday, i.e. January 24-25. It may be worth calling the TAT on 02 250 5500 to find out which events are going to be held and when.
My memories of Chinese New Year in Yaowaraj are a constant barrage of fireworks going off, and fantastic tradition lion and dragon dances, ending up with a fabulous fireworks display. And Yaowaraj is also famous for excellent culinary delights, ranging from a bowl of inexpensive noodle soups right up to spectacular seafood meals. So there will be no need to go hungry during the celebrations! And especially for the New Year festival there will be traditional styles of grilled pork, salty duck and also the world famous Peking roast duck, and special Chinese desserts.
As the Thai Chinese community in Thailand is made up of around seven million people many Chinese owned businesses will be closed, and that will include those in Bangkok. However, Chinese New Year is not a public holiday in Thailand and the major stores, supermarkets and banks will be open. On the other hand, if you have a favorite restaurant or shop outside Chinatown, it may be closed!
"Gong Xi Fa Chai" to you all, especially to my friends at the Thailand Web Zone, If you literally translate "Gong Xi Fa Chai", it means "wishing you enlarge your wealth." Gong Xi means wishing/blessing, “Fa” means enlarge, and “Chai” means wealth. In effect, it means that you are wishing someone to become rich or prosperous, but this Mandarin phrase is widely used to wish someone a Happy New Year. In Bangkok, wishing somebody "Gong Xi Fa Chai" should be acceptable, but I am certain there is a Teochew version. This dialect is used in the Thai Chinese business community, and mainly in Bangkok. However, I have forgotten how to say Happy Chinese New Year in Teochew!
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