The Lantern Festival officially launched at 20:00 and local dignitaries attended the launch ceremonies at the Surin Clocktower Roundabout. Local governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada explained that three zones in the old town would have illuminated lanterns until the end of the festival on 22 February.
The governor said the municipality had decided to revive the old tradition of the red lanterns for the onset of the Year of the Monkey to give tourists insights into the heritage handed down by Phuket’s original immigrants from China. He noted that as an added incentive to visit stallholders in the streets of the town would be serving up delicious snacks and meals that featured the whole repertoire of Phuket’s spices and ingredients.
The Year of the Monkey begins on 8 February and Phuket along with Chinatowns in Thai cities such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai will be staging their own peerless celebrations to mark its arrival. 12GO ASIA is a ticket agent for Thai bus and train operators. We offer a no-fuss service on all the key routes in the country so that you can reach the New Year festivity venues easily.
Streets of Phuket Old Town lit up by Chinese lanterns
News in Asia
The streets of Phuket Town’s historic Chinatown precinct were lit up by traditional lanterns yesterday to pave the way for the Lunar New Year this weekend. The red lanterns were lit on the facades of the district’s old colonial houses as far as Wichit Municipal Office.