Bangkok, 24 January, 2020 – High-ranking officials from the Kingdom of Thailand and the People’s Republic of China jointly extended Chinese New Year 2020 greetings, wishing the people of China and Thailand as well as around the world for health, wealth and prosperity in the Year of the Rat.
The special ceremony was held today during the opening of the Chinese New Year Celebration 2020 at Siam Square, Bangkok, which takes place from 24 to 26 January.
Presiding over the ceremony were Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, H.E. Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakan and China’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, H.E. Mr. Luo Shugang. They were joined by Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) Governor, Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, as well as key figures and senior representatives from the Thai public and private sectors.
The ceremony commemorated the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Thailand. It also celebrated the annual nationwide Chinese New Year celebrations that TAT has been organising for 15 consecutive years in collaboration with China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Chinese Embassy in Thailand. In addition, the event marked this year’s 60th anniversary of TAT.
Mr. Pipat said, “The longstanding diplomatic relations between China and Thailand have resulted in flourishing trade and closer culture and tourism ties between the two nations.
“I would like to thank the government of the People’s Republic of China for extending the New Year gifts, and sending many cultural performance groups from across China to delight Thai and international visitors with their amazing skills. As such, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the Chinese and Thai people all over the world happiness, health, wealth and success in the Year of the Rat.”
Highlights at the three-day Chinese New Year Celebration 2020 at Siam Square are cultural performances from different cities in China, especially the world’s famous Thousand Hands Guan Yin Dance by the My Dream disabled troupe from Beijing, the musical performance using ceramic instruments, and Shaolin Kung Fu martial art show, to name a few.
The event also features cooking shows of Chinese New Year’s auspicious food and desserts by three famous chefs from the Iron Chef Thailand, performances and appearances by Thai pop stars, and concerts by Thai singers and bands.
Even more special, TAT and the Chinese Embassy have jointly organised a special performance by the six members of ‘The Untamed Boys” band. The members, Song Ji Yang, Li Bo Wen, Ji Li, Yu Bin, Zheng Fan Xing and Cao Yuchen, are helping to promote the Chinese New Year 2020 celebrations in Thailand.
The event at Siam Square is also filled with many other activities, including the chance to pay respect to Chinese gods, and DIY workshops and games including Chinese calligraphy, stencil art, Chinese lanterns, and Xiangqi (Chinese chess). The venue is decorated with an auspicious tunnel for New Year blessings for visitors to walk through for good luck. There is a fair selling premium products and food.
In addition, TAT has lined up several celebrations to mark the Chinese New Year 2020 from 24-30 January at various major destinations across Thailand, click for more details: Thailand’s Chinese New Year 2020 Celebrations.
