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Two centuries ago, tin mining drew thousands of Chinese labourers to the island and their influence has remained, making Phuket the province with the highest percentage of ethnic Chinese in the Kingdom. So it’s no surprise that Phuket’s Chinese community celebrate the New Year in grand fashion with a lot of gusto.
To commemorate the Year of the Goat, festivities on Phuket will be held from the February 15–17. Activities start at 3pm and wind up around midnight.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phuket office (TAT) and Phuket City will combine the Chinese New Year celebrations with the annual Old Phuket Festival. Festivities are centred around the old town: Thalang Road, Krabi Road, Dibuk Road and Phang Nga Road. These roads will be closed to traffic for three evenings of celebrations so think carefully about parking!
Expect to see light shows, folk dancing, canal boat rides and plenty of street food. Local homes and shop-fronts will be decorated with flowers and include platters of oranges and sweet fruit. The streets will be garlanded with red banners and decorations to promote luck and happiness for the coming year.
For more information contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket office (TAT). 191 Thalang Road, Phuket Tel. +66 7621 1036, +66 7621 2213 Fax. +66 7621 3582 tatphket@tat.or.th www.tourismthailand.org/phuket, www.facebook.com/TourismAuthorityOfThailandPhuket