Chinese New Year 2025 in Bangkok

Even though Chinese New Year is not an official holiday in Thailand, it is celebrated on a large scale. Yaowarat, the Chinatown of Bangkok, comes to life with lanterns, banners, and colorful processions annually on the eve of the Lunar New Year. The whole area turns red with decorations. Dragon dancers, acrobats, and crowds of worshipers gather to enjoy the street party and feast in local Chinese food joints.

Lunar Celebrations in Chinatown

The opening ceremony of the Chinese New Year in Bangkok Chinatown is the most important event in the city. It is usually attended by members of the Thai Royal Family and attracts crowds of spectators. The festivities span for almost a month, with a projection mapping show, culminating with traditional cultural performances, dragon and lion dances.

Visitors can enjoy fortune-telling, astrology, and other workshops. You can also visit various sacred sites throughout Chinatown, including the Temple of the Golden Buddha, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, Kuan Yim Shrine, and others. The main celebration usually falls on Chinese New Year and the following day, spanning from 10 am until 11 pm.

Lunar Festival in Lumpini Park

Lumpini Park is another site of Chinese New Year celebrations in Bangkok. The heart of the holiday is located at Crowne Plaza, where you are immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of traditional dragon dances, performers, and mouthwatering Chinese cuisine. Xin Tian Di restaurant on the 22nd floor annually organizes festive menu offerings. On Chinese New Year’s Day, you can also stop by Lengnoeiyi Temple on Charoen Krung Street to see how worshippers are using ‘siem-see’ or Chinese fortune sticks to help them resolve personal issues.

CNY Celebration in Talad Noi District

Talad Noi District in Bangkok also boasts a festive atmosphere during Chinese New Year. The local Chow Sue Kong temple is the oldest Hokkien Chinese shrine in the city, where the Chinese diaspora often gathers during the festivities. The houses in the district are annually decorated with vibrant red lanterns, bringing a flair of holidays and traditions to the neighborhood.

Traditions

Many Bangkokians go to the temples to celebrate the Lunar New Year and pray for fortune, blessing, and flourishing in the upcoming year. Locals flock to the streets of Chinatown to enjoy seasonal meals and dishes and witness vibrant performances by dragon and lion dancers who go from shop to shop, greeting the vendors. This is considered to bring good luck to businesses.