Chinese New Year in Thailand - Photography by Deb Swingholm

"Luck and Good Fortune"

In Chiang Mai Thailand, most of the festivities for the Chinese New Year take place in the Warrorot Market area.

Warorot is the old Chinese Market here, with many Thai-Chinese shop owners. Normally a busy market, there is extra traffic as people are out buying supplies for their altars and family celebrations..

Shops are decorated with red paper lanterns. And, long strings of fireworks frighten away evil spirits, leaving red paper confetti littering the streets.

Chinese New Year lanterns

I especially enjoy peeking into each shop to admire the beautiful Lunar New Year altars. Some altars take up almost the full interior of the shop. Others are placed on the floor by the front door. And, a few shop owners create a special table on the sidewalk. Each altar is richly loaded with trays of roasted ducks, chickens, tea, rice, fruit, red candles and plenty of incense. Some even offer a bottle of whiskey!

Chinese New Year altar on sidewalk

Chinese New Year altar

There are two Chinese temples
in the market. People stream in and out, lighting red candles and incense. Offerings of food are placed on the altars.

Chinese New Year in Thailand - Woman lighting incense

Chinese New Year in Thailand - chiild in new red clothes

Children are seen in their new clothes.

And, Lion and Dragon dancers weave through the narrow market alleys and streets. There is a feeling of excitement; hope for happiness and good fortune in the year ahead!

I wish you a happy and prosperous Year of the Rabbit!
As we say in Thailand... "chok dee" (good luck). May your blessings be multiplied!

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