Celebrating Chinese New Year in Yaowarat

Posted by Sukhumwit Steve on January 20th, 2012 filed in activities, attractions

Yaowarat is the central district of Bangkok which many ethnic Chinese residents have settled in and now call home. Yaowarat is a great location to observe the traditional customs that most Chinese Bangkokians still adhere to. Thanon Yaowarat is the main thoroughfare through the precinct and many of the shops and residences on the road will be festooned with lanterns and red Chinese calligraphy streamers this weekend to mark the coming Year of the Dragon.

The Chinese New Year is dictated by the cycles of the moon and does not fall on the same date every year. From Sunday onwards, area residents will put food outdoors as offerings to gods and departed ancestors. Usually the smoke from firecrackers taints the air as people light them to frighten off a legendary monster known as Nien. Firecrackers are also used to announce the imminent arrival of dragon dancers.

A couple of streets back from Thanon Yaowarat, Wat Leng Noei Yi is one of the most important Chinese temples in Bangkok. The temple is a unique sight as people gather at the New Year to pay homage to gods and goddesses with joss-sticks and other offerings. Although Yaowarat is the focal point of New Year festivities, many restaurants and shops in Bangkok serve traditional Chinese dishes and run special product promotions.