January 26 (Monday) marks the start of the Chinese New Year. 2009 is the Year of the Ox, an animal linked with stability, perseverance and hard work. 2008 was the Year of the Rat and it proved to be a period of political upheaval in Thailand. The country is still counting the cost of the protests which managed to close Bangkok’s international airport and in doing so damaged both the tourism industry and the export industry. As such, it isn’t just Chinese Thais that will be hoping that the Year of the Ox will return stability to Thailand.
Traditionally, red shirts are worn by many Thai people for Chinese New Year, but this year is set to be different with traders throughout Thailand reporting a massive drop in demand for red-coloured shirts. This is because the red shirt now has a political connotation and is identified with the supporters and allies of former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. As an alternative to red shirts, pink is set to be de rigeur with those Thai people wishing to avoid the political overtones of the red shirt.
Although the Chinese New Year isn’t a public holiday in Thailand, there are still many businesses run by Thai-Chinese families that will be closed over the New Year period. Fire-crackers are released and street festivals and activities will be held in various places including Phuket and Bangkok’s Chinatown district.
