On Friday, the Thai and Chinese governments jointly hosted a New Year’s blessing ceremony for Chinese citizens and descendants worldwide, marking the commencement of the Chinese New Year Festival in Thailand.
The event took place at the China Cultural Centre in Bangkok, attended by Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol and Han Zhiqiang, the Chinese Ambassador to Thailand.
Other notable attendees included the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the director of the China Cultural Centre, Que Xiaohua, TAT officials, and members of the public.
Sudawan highlighted the enduring and robust ties between Thailand and China, emphasizing their cooperation in commerce, culture, and tourism. She noted that the influx of Chinese tourists to Thailand surpassed 3.5 million in 2023.
“The Chinese New Year Festival in Thailand is considered one of the largest Chinese New Year activities outside of China”, she stated.
“This year’s celebration also marks the 49th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China and the 20th anniversary of cultural cooperation between the TAT and China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism”.
Sudawan extended wishes for joy, health, and prosperity to the Thai and Chinese communities in Thailand, China, and elsewhere.
The celebration featured cultural showcases from the Xijang Autonomous Region and Quanzhou city in Fujian province, presented by the Chinese government.
The Thai government presented four cultural performances: Pornchai Mahamongkol, Colourful Light Chaturathit, Amazing Thai Way, and Muay Thai Dance.
The TAT has organized the Chinese New Year Festival in Bangkok’s Yaowarat, or Chinatown, for the entire month of February.
Event highlights include the Golden Dragon Tunnel, cultural shows, light projection mapping on Yaowarat’s historic buildings, and astrology booths by Thai and Chinese fortune tellers.
The festival is expected to boost tourism revenue by 34.39 billion baht, a 30% increase from the previous year.
