BANGKOK — The Year of the Rooster will have less to crow about this year as for the first time in many years, Chinese New Year will not be celebrated on Yaowarat Road.
All events marking the occasion will be moved to Lumphini Park on Wednesday through Sunday out of concern the celebrations were incompatible with mourning for the late King Bhumibol.
Government workers are required to wear black during the mourning period, so the annual auspicious celebrations set for Saturday on Yaowarat Road were canceled by the Samphanthawong district committee. However there will be offerings made for 80 monks and novices in front of the Grand China Hotel at 5:30am.
Bangkok’s Chinatown, through which Yaowarat Road runs, has been known for its grand celebrations filled with traditional Chinese performances.
Instead, Lumphini Park was chosen by tourism officials to celebrate the Year of the Rooster. As Thailand is one of the biggest destinations for the holiday outside of China, the five-day event will seek to recreate the Chinatown vibe with opportunities for people to pay their respects to revered Chinese gods and appreciate Chinese performances and food.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects the event to attract 825,000 international visitors and generate 19.1 billion baht in revenue.
Apart from Bangkok, Chinese New Year celebrations will be held in various provinces such as Nakhon Sawan through Feb. 1; Chiang Mai on Saturday and Sunday; Pattaya on Saturday; Ayutthaya on Sunday to Feb. 3; and Phuket from Feb. 2 to Feb. 4.