Pattaya welcomes in the “Year of the Snake” Sunday, Feb. 10, with its annual Chinese New Year festival in Naklua.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and representatives of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Sawang Boriboon Foundation outlined the city’s Feb. 9-10 plans at a Feb. 4 press conference at Central Festival Pattaya Beach. They said the annual celebration draws not only Thais of Chinese extraction, but many foreign Chinese-speaking tourists.
The free festival at Lan Po Park begins with concerts, a Chinese Girl 2013 pageant; and numerous Chinese cultural shows and exhibits. The second day features a lion and dragon parade around Naklua Market, Chinese dance and dragon parade through South Pattaya.
The Engko committee from Bangkok will be performing their dragon and lion dances for Pattaya Chinese New Year this weekend in Pattaya & Naklua.
Sawang Boriboon will begin the new year solemnly with a worship ceremony for those who died without relatives. Central Festival will host activities, such as a Miss Qipao dress contest and distributions of free fruit.
