Thai minister of tourism and sports Artthakorn Sirilatthayakorn took the opportunity to extend joyous greetings from Thailand to the people of China for the Lunar New Year during the opening of the Amazing Thailand Happy Chinese New Year 2026 Festival on Saturday, 14th February.
The festival will run until Wednesday, 18th February.
Together with Chinese ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jianwei and several key figures and senior representatives from the Thai public and private sectors, the minister ushered in the 22nd anniversary of the cooperative partnership between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China.
During his opening remarks at the event staged at Siam Paragon, Sirilatthayakorn declared: “The enduring ties between Chinese and Thai people, encapsulated by the ‘China-Thailand: One Family’ bond, have blended our arts, cultures, lifestyles, and tourism sectors. On this auspicious occasion, I thank the Chinese government for supporting four rare and exquisite cultural performances by troupes from around the country. These are invaluable gifts that will bring joy, lasting memories, and smiles to all Thai people and international visitors attending the festival.”
Zhang echoed these sentiments, remarking: “Let us jointly wish that the people of China and Thailand both enjoy happiness and well-being together during the Year of the Horse, and may the China-Thai friendship endure and flourish forever. For over two decades, our countries have jointly organised Chinese New Year activities, and our people-to-people exchanges are blooming with new splendour, advancing our shared future to even greater heights.”
Auspicious festivities
Aside from the ongoing festival, TAT is also hosting another festive event in Bangkok and one flagship event in Hat Yai, while supporting celebrations in key regional destinations.
In Bangkok, the Amazing Thailand Happy Chinese New Year 2026 is currently taking place across two locations.
Festive illuminations illuminate the stretch of Yaowarat Road, from Odeon Circle to Chaloem Buri Intersection in a glittering display that launched last 7th February and will continue till 1st March.
In Hat Yai, Songkhla Province, the Amazing Thailand Chinese New Year 2026 @ Hat Yai kicks off tomorrow, 17th February, and will be on until Friday, 20th February, along Saneha Nusorn Road, reinforcing Hat Yai’s role as a key tourism hub in Southern Thailand.
Beyond these two flagship destinations, TAT is also supporting established Chinese New Year celebrations in the regions, including the Chao Pho–Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho procession in Nakhon Sawan Province till Saturday, 21st February, as well as the Suphan Buri Chinese New Year Festival: 18 Years of the Heavenly Dragon at Dragon Descendants Museum, Suphan Buri Province, on the 17th and 18th of this month.
