BANGKOK CHINA TOWN FESTIVAL 2007 News and Events
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BANGKOK CHINA TOWN FESTIVAL 2007
FEBRUARY 18 – 19, 2007
In Bangkok’s China Town – Yawarat, Sampantawong district
Along Trimitr Road, The King’s Birthday Celebration Arch
to Ratchawong intersection.
Traditional celebrations are staged every Chinese New Year to
pay tribute the mythical Golden Dragon – the guardian spirit
that has watched over Yawarat for centuries, and to whom residents
of the community believe they owe their good fortune, wealth and
prosperity. The Golden Dragon is thus accorded an exalted status
in ritual, as well as in everyday life.
To commemorate these milestones in history, Bangkok's Yawarat
district or 'China Town', Bangkok's legendary Thai-Chinese community,
is hosting its grandest celebration.
Given the significance of the joint Sino-Thai Chinese New Year
celebrations in Bangkok’s China Town, ceremonies and festival
highlights will be broadcasted on China’s CCTV and also covered
by Shin Hua news agency.
BANGKOK’S ‘CHINA TOWN’ – YAWARAT
The oldest, most established and largest ethnic Chinese community
in Thailand, Yawarat has a rich historical past.
During the establishment of the city of Rattanakosin during the
reign of King Phra Phuttha Yotfa Chulaloke (King Rama I), founder
of the Chakri dynasty, with the blessing of His Majesty the King,
early Chinese immigrants to the kingdom settled in a district
at the heart of Yawarat called "Sampeng". By the Fourth
and Fifth Reign, through active trade with overseas nations, Sampeng
had evolved into a prosperous centre of international trade.
In Thai-Chinese families, age-old sacred rituals are still observed,
and customs and traditions are passed down from generation to
generation. This rich legacy is nurtured with great diligence.
Many of these aspects are reflected in the colourful and boisterous
aspects of the Chinese New Year festivities.
Red is considered to be an auspicious colour – a symbol
of happiness and good luck so the appropriate dress code for the
Chinese New Year celebrations is red.
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