TAT upbeat on Chinese New Year despite turmoil

TAT upbeat on Chinese New Year despite turmoil

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) says the outlook for Chinese New Year remains promising and the celebrations should generate tourism revenue of at least 11 billion baht.

Shirts to mark the Year of the Horse are on display in Bangkok’s Chinatown before the celebrations for the Chinese New Year. SEKSAN ROJJANAMETAKUN

It is confident the festival from Jan 24 to Feb 4 will be a success despite the political turmoil in Bangkok.

TAT is spending 30 million baht to support Chinese New Year in Bangkok's Chinatown (Yaowarat), Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Pattaya, Hat Yai, Phuket and Trang.

However, it is closely monitoring political problems, especially the Bangkok shutdown. If the protests lead to violence, events in Yaowarat will be cancelled.

Nakhon Sawan will host the spectacular procession of Chao Pho-Chao Mae Paknam Pho and Chao Mae Kuan-im (Guan Yin), which will include acrobatic performances, dragon parades, lion dances and angel parades.

Hat Yai plans Chinese cultural performances, concerts by big Thai and Malaysian artists, a Miss China 2014 beauty contest and a bazaar selling Chinese New Year goods.

Vilaiwan Twichasri, TAT's deputy governor for tourism products, said the agency is confident celebrations for the Year of the Horse will run well.

Revenue should increase to 11 billion baht, up from 10 billion last year.

About 2.7 million tourists are expected to enjoy Chinese New Year nationwide, with 2.43 million Thais and 270,000 foreign visitors. The number was 2.6 million last year.

TAT governor Thawatchai Arunyik said the festival is the most important event for Thai-Chinese people in Thailand and is widely celebrated in provinces with large Thai-Chinese communities.

In Bangkok's Chinatown, visitors will experience the strong ties between Thai and Chinese communities through magnificent cultural performances that show the deep roots of Chinese culture in Thailand, he said.

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