City Hall authorities and local police have announced plans and safety precautions for this year's Chinese New Year celebrations in Yaowarat, with festivities set to be held from Feb 16-17.
Sangchai Sottheeworakul, president of Yaowarat's Chinese New Year celebrations, said yesterday festivities will range from traditional Chinese music shows, Chinese Lion Dance performances comprising 40 lion's heads, and Bian Lian, or traditional face-changing dramatic performances.
Road traffic will be closed from the Odeon roundabout -- Yaowarat's main entrance -- to the Ratchawong intersection on Feb 14, then from 11.30pm to 5.30am the next day, prior to the official start of the celebrations, said Pol Maj Gen Dusit Somsak, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 6.
He said commuters will only be able to travel through one lane of traffic on Yaowarat Road on Feb 15. The remaining lanes will be closed to increase space for performances and other festivities. Pol Maj Gen Dusit said traffic in the Yaowarat area will be completely closed on Feb 16-18, with police stationed around traffic diversions to assist commuters.
Other measures for the Chinese New Year's festivities include a "Big Cleaning Day" in the Yaowarat area and the rest of Bangkok to be overseen by City Hall officials, said Deputy Bangkok Governor Taweesak Lertprapan.
Mr Taweesak said officials will be cleaning over 300 markets in Bangkok from now until Feb 12 in preparation for Chinese New Year celebrations.
Retailers expect consumer spending of 53 billion baht during the holidays next week.
The research unit of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to release its projection tomorrow for spending during the Chinese New Year holidays. The figure will likely be greater than the 55 billion baht generated last year thanks to the economic recovery and consumer sentiment, according to a source who requested anonymity.