Lunar New Year celebrations in Bangkok’s Chinatown have been cancelled for the second year in a row due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the capital. At the same time, observance of Chinese New Year traditions is not prohibited and decorations to celebrate the festival have been erected on Yaowarat Road in Samphan Thawang district.
Samphanthawong District Office Director Athittaya Chokkitmanatchai said that due to the unresolved Covid situation and the current outbreak of the Omicron variant, the Bangkok city government will not hold its annual Chinese New Year celebrations on Yaowarat Rd. However, decorative lights have been installed at the Odeon Circle site in Yaowarat.
Ms. Athittaya commented that Bangkok City Hall did not prohibit people of Chinese origin from celebrating the annual traditions, including visiting various shrines, but that disease control measures should be imposed on these activities.
Every year, the Samphanthawong regional office works with local businesses and residents to hold a Lunar New Year festival in the Yaowarat area. Although, the festival was canceled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 situation, and again this year due to continued concerns about the spread of coronavirus.
This year, the Lunar New Year is on February 1.
