| It has been a few years since I have been to | | | | festival celebrations are scheduled to be held on |
| Bangkok’s Chinatown, and a couple more | | | | January 26-27, according to the Tourism |
| since I visited the area during Chinese New Year. | | | | Authority of Thailand (TAT). However, as this |
| The reason is that area, which is around the | | | | immediately comes after the weekend, I suspect, |
| Yaowaraj and Charon Krung Roads, is both not | | | | in true Thai style, that there will also be special |
| easy to get to, and is also difficult to navigate | | | | events on the Saturday and Sunday, i.e. January |
| around. Having said that, if you have not been to | | | | 24-25. It may be worth calling the TAT on 02 |
| the Chinese New Year festival in Bangkok before, | | | | 250 5500 to find out which events are going to |
| then try to get there at least once. Every year | | | | be held and when. |
| there are Chinese and international music shows, | | | | My memories of Chinese New Year in Yaowaraj |
| traditional dancing and many cultural shows. | | | | are a constant barrage of fireworks going off, |
| On getting there, many of you may be tempted | | | | and fantastic tradition lion and dragon dances, |
| to go by car, taxi, or tuk-tuk. My advice is | | | | ending up with a fabulous fireworks display. And |
| don’t as many of the rods will be closed | | | | Yaowaraj is also famous for excellent culinary |
| and the traffic around the area will be a | | | | delights, ranging from a bowl of inexpensive |
| nightmare! A better idea will be to take the MRT, | | | | noodle soups right up to spectacular seafood |
| which is Bangkok’s underground, to Hua | | | | meals. So there will be no need to go hungry |
| Lumpong MRT station, which is located at | | | | during the celebrations! And especially for the New |
| Bangkok’s main railway station. I would | | | | Year festival there will be traditional styles of |
| probably then walk to Yaowaraj Road. | | | | grilled pork, salty duck and also the world famous |
| Alternatively, for the more adventurous, try | | | | Peking roast duck, and special Chinese desserts. |
| taking the BTS Skytrain to Taksin Bridge station, | | | | As the Thai Chinese community in Thailand is |
| then walk to Sathorn pier, and take a river boat | | | | made up of around seven million people many |
| to Ratchawong Pier, and, again, walk to Yaowaraj. | | | | Chinese owned businesses will be closed, and that |
| The actual celebrations and festivities are staged | | | | will include those in Bangkok. However, Chinese |
| along several roads in Chinatown from Traimit | | | | New Year is not a public holiday in Thailand and |
| Road, past Wat Traimit temple, Chalermphrakiat | | | | the major stores, supermarkets and banks will be |
| Arch, Yawaraj Road and then on to the | | | | open. On the other hand, if you have a favorite |
| Ratchawong intersection. | | | | restaurant or shop outside Chinatown, it may be |
| 2009 will be the Chinese year of the Ox, and the | | | | closed! |