Kung Hei Fat Choi - Happy New Year

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 In Thailand, we will be celebrating another New Year soon and this one is the Chinese New Year and it is the Year of the Dog.

This will fall on February 16th and the celebrations start up to a week before this. During this period, there will be dragon dances, lion dances, red envelopes being given, fireworks, families celebrating together and so much more.

Traditionally the Chinese will clean their homes very thoroughly and this will sweep away any ill fortune which has been with the family recently. 

Then they may decorate their homes with red paper motifs and give money to people in red envelopes. 

Where there is a large concentration of a Chinese community this celebration will spill onto the streets.  In Bangkok, this is specifically on Yaowarat Road - https://goo.gl/maps/nKc4kcy1xep.


Currently, the sides of the road are festooned with decorations – the red lanterns are ubiquitous and the colour red is everywhere.


The pavements which are usually only a little crammed are now a veritable obstacle course.
 

Outside their homes and business, paper money and paper objects will be burnt in a small fire.


Food offerings are also made outside homes and businesses – and they can be quite impressive.

 There are a great many places to buy traditional Chinese Dress and any number of different decorations.

In the evening the Chinese Dragons will parade along the street and visit the local Chinese shrines which are scattered throughout this area.

If you do visit China Town and visit a shrine please be respectful when you enter.

      

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