Phuket streets light up for Chinese New Year Lantern Festival

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Phuket streets light up for Chinese New Year Lantern Festival
Suthicha Sirirat


Traditional Chinese lanterns adorn homes and streets through Phuket Town ahead of the Chinese New Year Lantern Festival beginning tonight (Feb 2). Photo: Suthicha Sirirat

PHUKET: -- Traditional Chinese lanterns now line the streets from the heart of Phuket Old Town all the way south to the Wichit Municipality main office ahead of the official launch of the Lantern Festival tonight (Feb 2).

The festival, to be held until February 22 as part of the island’s Chinese New Year festivities, will get underway ) at 7:45pm with the official opening ceremony at Surin Circle (Clock Tower Circle) in Phuket Town.

“The Lantern Festival is being held to revive the charm of Chinese New Year and to reintroduce residents and tourists to Phuket’s Thai-Chinese cultural heritage,” said Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada.

To mark the festival, selected areas in all three districts in Phuket will be lit up with the traditional lanterns, he added.

“In addition to the Lantern Festival, Phuket will also host a special food festival in Phuket Old Town during Chinese New Year to celebrate the island recently winning recognition as a ‘City of Gastronomy’ from Unesco,” Gov Chamroen said.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-streets-light-up-for-chinese-new-year-lantern-festival-56019.php

-- Phuket News 2016-02-02