SONGKHLA, Jan 29 (TNA) – The southern Thai city of Hat Yai in Songkhla province is hosting a grand Chinese New Year celebration that will last for ten days, from January 28 to February 6.
The festivities, organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with the Hat Yai Municipality and local partners, aim to boost tourism and stimulate the local economy.
The celebrations are centered around two main locations: Srinakorn Foundation School and Thong Sia Siang Tung Foundation. Over 200 vendors are participating, offering a wide variety of food and products to visitors from 5 PM onwards.
Evenings will be filled with cultural performances, including Chinese opera, lion dances, and concerts. The annual procession of deities around the city, a 67-year tradition, will also take place, believed to bring good fortune and dispel bad luck.
The city is adorned with colorful lanterns, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Tourists are flocking to temples to pay respects to deities and capture photos of the decorations.
Nongyao Jirandorn, director of the TAT’s Hat Yai office, said that the first five days of the festival are expected to attract around 92,000 visitors to Hat Yai, with hotel occupancy rates exceeding 90%. Across Songkhla province, the occupancy rate is around 85%. The TAT estimates that the festivities will see approximately 900 million baht (US$26 million) in circulation, thanks to the school holidays in neighboring Malaysia, which has led to a surge in cross-border tourism.
The official opening ceremony will take place tonight, featuring a 2-kilometer-long parade through the city center. -819 (TNA)
