During Lunar New Year in Bangkok’s Chinatown, the streets are lively with red lanterns. Chinese Thais celebrate at Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, the city’s largest Chinese temple.
Wat Mangkon Kamalawat is adorned in red, with women in traditional dresses taking photos. Lion dancers entertain crowds on Yaowarat Road, where locals and many tourists enjoy market food.
Many visitors, mainly from China, chose Thailand for Lunar New Year, benefiting from the visa waiver. Hundreds of thousands of Chinese nationals enjoyed the festivities starting on February 10.
Tourism analyst Gary Bowerman praises Thailand’s smart strategy with the visa waiver and targeted marketing in China. Supported by the prime minister, these efforts led Chinese airlines to increase capacity for the Chinese New Year. Southeast Asian destinations traditionally thrive during Lunar New Year, boosting the tourism calendar.
Thailand Chinese Tourism, Visa Drop Impact, Chinese Visitors Surge, Thailand Travel Trends, Tourism Visa Changes