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4 things to do in Thailand to ring in the Chinese New Year
Taking place on February 1st this year, the Chinese New Year is less than a week away and those without plans are starting to wonder how they’ll spend the auspicious occasion. As the most important festival amongst Chinese people, the Lunar New Year is celebrated across the globe, so if you’ve been wondering: does Thailand celebrate Chinese New Year? The answer is definitely yes.
With around 15% of the Thai population believed to be of Chinese descent, Chinese New Year in Thailand calls for a large celebration. In fact, it’s hard to miss CNY decorations throughout the streets, shopping malls, and hotels, especially in Bangkok and other major cities. Wan Trut Jin (as the Lunar New Year is called in Thai) might be quieter this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be celebrated.
This Pacific Prime Thailand article is your guide to ringing in the Chinese New Year in Thailand.
1. Celebrate Chinese New Year in a traditional way
Despite not being a national holiday, Chinese New Year is widely celebrated throughout the country. Over the course of two or three days, families come together for quality time and to pay respect to their ancestors. It’s common for relatives living in China and other areas of Southeast Asia to travel to Thailand to spend time with their families during the new year.
People flock to local Chinese temples and shrines to pray for good fortune for the year ahead. Another tradition is for family members to hand out red envelopes (or ang pao in both Hokkien and Thai) with money inside. Red is the lucky color for Chinese New Year and is reflected in everything from the envelopes and decorations to firecrackers and clothing.
It’s customary to spend New Year’s Day itself at home with family and not do much else. Spring cleaning is done before the start of the new year so as not to remove any good fortune that may arrive. Families share a communal feast to honor their ancestors, enjoying traditional CNY foods like dumplings, fish, Nian Gao (glutinous rice cake), and spring rolls.
2. Enjoy a delicious Chinese feast with loved ones
On the topic of food, sharing a meal with family and friends is a huge part of Chinese New Year. While some families may prefer to cook at home from scratch, it’s just as common to eat out nowadays. The best restaurant in Thailand for the Chinese New Year is a personal preference, but a quick search for the best spots in your area is bound to bring up delectable results.
Bangkok, in particular, is spoiled for choice when it comes to celebrating CNY around the table. Time Out has a mouth-watering list of restaurants to cater to any budget. Family sets can be found at Conrad Bangkok’s Liu restaurant, Swissôtel Bangkok Ratchada’s Loong Foong, and Shang Palace, while special per-person menus are available at:
- Mandarin Oriental’s Riverside Terrace
- S/O Bangkok’s Red Oven
- Capella Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon
- The Athenee’s Silk Road
- The Sukhothai Bangkok
Lastly, if you’re looking for a la carte options, then Chim Chim Bangkok and Pagoda are excellent choices.
3. Experience traditional dances and shows
If you’ve ever heard Chinese firecrackers go off, you know firsthand how loud they can be. But did you know that it’s for good reason? That’s right, the loud explosions are meant to scare away evil spirits. On top of that, there are the drums and cymbals keeping the beat for the traditional Chinese dances. All major Chinese New Year events are typically held in Bangkok’s Yaowarat Chinatown, complete with red lantern-filled streets, dragon and lion dancers, and more.
Sadly, Yaowarat China won’t be hosting a Chinese New Year event this year as it’s been canceled due to rising COVID-19 infection rates – particularly in the capital city. The good news is that you can still enjoy the decorations along the street and on the Royal Jubilee Gate, as well as continue to visit the Chinese shrines in the area as usual. Phuket’s Chinese New Year event has also been canceled, though Nakhon Sawan’s famous CNY event is still on at the time of writing.
4. Take care of your health with Pacific Prime Thailand
Your health should always come first, but the start of the Lunar New Year reminds us just how important it is to invest in our wellbeing. With fluctuating rates of COVID-19 cases and heightened stress levels, you and your loved one’s health should be the top priority. If you do need medical attention, the last thing you want to worry about is whether you can access quality care – especially in a foreign country.
In case you’re looking to secure health insurance in Thailand for yourself or your family, Pacific Prime Thailand is here to help. With over two decades of industry experience, we know how to compare health insurance plans from leading providers to ensure you get the best plan for your needs and budget.
Already have insurance but not sure if it’s still a good fit? We can help you with that too. Whatever insurance questions or concerns you have, contact us for impartial advice and a free quote today!
Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.
Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.
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