Every year, Chinese New Year marks a major event in Thailand. With a large community of Chinese origin, the country vibrates to the rhythm of celebrations, between family reunions, offerings to ancestors and major public events. Here is how this festive period unfolds across the country.
Chinese New Year with family: traditions and rituals
As is common in Thailand, my in-laws, living in Nakhon Si Thammarat in the south from Thailand, has Chinese origins (Jitima's grandparents arrived from the "Middle Kingdom" to work in Phuket, which was then booming with the tin mines.
So I had the opportunity on several occasions to experience this traditional festival from the inside. Here are the main stages that punctuate the day.
1. Shopping: preparing the offerings and the feast
Well yes, first of all, we have to fill the fridges, because the Chinese New Year is synonymous with feasting! But not only that... We will start with a trip to a supermarket to buy whole duck, fruits, and special ready-to-use "packages".
Then, it was at the city market that we continued our shopping, where we completed our shopping with fresh produce and colorful pastries. There were obviously people there because many people bought at the last minute to take advantage of the freshness of the ingredients or because they sometimes had no choice.
Finally, we go to a shop to buy papers representing objects (houses, cars, tickets, clothes), which will be burned later, I'll explain why below.
It's funny from an outside perspective to see that for this celebration, they buy cardboard objects and even fake bills, which they are actually going to buy with real bills...
2. Preparation of the meal and ceremony of respect to the ancestors
Given the amount of work it requires, the preparation can be done the day before, so when we got home from shopping that year, Jitima and my niece got stuck into pre-cutting the vegetables, onions and ingredients that would be used the next day.
The dishes are cooked on the morning of the big day. In total, there are more than ten different dishes, spread across as many small plates, which are prepared and brought to a table set up for this purpose.
The meal is placed as offerings in front of the receptacles containing the ashes of the deceased. Each person takes a bunch of incense sticks and asks for the blessing of the elders.
3. Send “gifts” to ancestors
In Chinese tradition, respecting ancestors also involves sending gifts to the afterlife. In short, it's a bit like their Christmas. To do this, they burn the famous paper objects purchased earlier - fake money, clothes, watches, shoes, even cardboard iPads! The idea is to allow the deceased to continue living comfortably in the other world.
In a large basin, all these papers are consumed by the flames, the smoke symbolically carrying the offerings to their recipients. This ritual is often ended by the explosion of a real column of firecrackers, supposed to chase away evil spirits and announce the new year in a noisy and festive atmosphere.
4. Family meal
In theory, if we perform the ceremony to burn the papers before eating, while the table is ready, it is to give the "ancestors" time to eat before...
In doing so, when we sit down at the table, most of the dishes are at best lukewarm, or even cold... Knowing in my specific case that the family eats first and generally immediately afterwards, the staff working for them right next door will come and eat in turn (in any case, there is always more to eat than necessary and very often leftovers for the next day, in Thailand, it is always better to prepare too much than not enough).
5. Distribution of “lai see” (red envelopes) to the youngest
Once you are well fed, the last "step" is to offer money to the youngest. You see this analogy with Christmas again 😉 This happens in a well-codified way.
Because if they receive red envelopes containing money, before opening them, they must send New Year's wishes to their elders, such as: "I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year, full of happiness and good health", a classic format in itself but logical given the general respect in the family hierarchy.
My niece, receiving from my wife (her aunt).
6. Blessing of our wallets and work tools
For this last point, I have not seen it systematically applied, but it is something that can be done at the end of the day. Shortly before midnight, one places one's wallet and, if applicable, one's work tools in front of an altar decorated for the occasion.
A prayer is then made to the Chinese god of wealth, to attract prosperity and success for the coming year. So here's something to (re)start the year on the right foot!
A New Year's anecdote: meeting the neighbors
While that day I wanted to take some photos of the offering table set up in front of the in-laws' neighbors' house, to illustrate this article, they, dressed all in red, invited me in. Curious and welcoming, they insisted on showing me the inside of their room dedicated to offerings, with an altar in honor of the ancestors and various ritual objects.
After a few exchanges and a few photos taken together, the neighbors generously handed me a bag filled with offerings from the table I had just photographed.
Back home, my wife explained that tradition dictates that we return the favor, so we had to prepare a bag of our own offerings to bring back to them, a gesture that is supposed to bring happiness and good luck for the new year.
Chinese New Year Celebrations Across Thailand
While the family aspect is central, several Thai cities also organize large festivities. Tradition also dictates that we wear red, a lucky color and symbol of happiness and prosperity, to attract luck in the coming year. So don't be surprised to see a lot of people dressed in this color on this day!
Every year, the Chinese zodiac animal is honored in street decorations: lanterns, sculptures and posters are dedicated to it. The date is determined according to the lunar calendar and falls between January 21 and February 19.
In 2025: Celebrations are on January 29th and 30th marking the Year of the Snake!
Happy Year of the Snake!
Bangkok: the Yaowarat district in turmoil
Yaowarat, Bangkok's Chinatown, is the nerve center of Chinese New Year festivities in Thailand. For several days, its streets are transformed into a grandiose spectacle with dragon and lion dances, cultural performances and an explosion of red lanterns illuminating the facades.
A street food market attracts visitors with typical Chinese dishes prepared for the occasion. The festivities culminate in a grand parade and fireworks, making Bangkok one of the best places in the country to fully experience the celebration.
- Demonstrations of dragon and lion dances
- A stage with traditional Chinese performances
- A unique atmosphere with red lanterns and bright decorations
- A food festival with Chinese street food stalls
In the evening, the street is decked out in lights and remains just as active with more parades and ends with fireworks.
Yaowarat by night.
Phuket: a festive atmosphere in the old center
Unlike other cities where festivities are more low-key, Phuket celebrates Chinese New Year in style. For several days, the old town comes alive with dragon and lion dance performances, concerts and exhibitions highlighting Sino-Thai heritage. Chinese temples are particularly busy, and the streets are adorned with red lanterns for an immersive atmosphere.
- A colorful festival in the old town
- Cultural shows and concerts
- Religious ceremonies in Chinese temples
- Exhibitions on Sino-Thai heritage
Chiang Mai: a discreet but lively Chinatown
In Chiang Mai, Chinese New Year celebrations are centered around the Warorot Market, the heart of the local Chinatown. Far from the big festivities of Bangkok or Phuket, the atmosphere is more intimate but just as lively. There are lion dances in the narrow streets, prayers in Chinese temples and a market teeming with culinary specialties prepared for the occasion.
New Year or not, there is a great walk to discover this little-known corner of Chiang Mai, I put my article here: Chiang Mai on foot: an itinerary to discover the city differently
- Lion dances in the alleys
- Chinese street food stalls
- Temples bustling with prayers and offerings
Nakhon Sawan: A Long and Immersive Festival
Unlike other cities where festivities take place over one or two days, Nakhon Sawan celebrates Chinese New Year over several days with a rich program. Its huge parade features majestic articulated dragons, acrobatics on stilts and impressive lion dances. Religious ceremonies also gather many worshipers, reinforcing the unique atmosphere of the festival.
- A spectacular parade with huge articulated dragons
- Acrobatic performances and traditional dances
- Religious ceremonies well attended
Other cities and celebrations
Other cities in Thailand also mark Chinese New Year with festive events, although less imposing than those in the major metropolises:
- Hat Yaic : cultural entertainment and shows in the city centre, with a large influx of Malaysian visitors.
- Pattaya : fireworks light up the sky above the beach, accompanied by concerts and traditional shows.
- Trang and Surat Thani : processions and ritual ceremonies highlight local traditions, attracting locals and a few curious onlookers.
Common scene during Chinese New Year.
Conclusion
Whether in the privacy of homes or during major public festivities, Chinese New Year in Thailand is a time rich in traditions and convivial moments. Between respect for ancestors, hearty meals and spectacular celebrations, it is an event not to be missed to discover the influence of Chinese culture in the country.
