Is Chinese New Year a public holiday in Thailand?

No, Chinese New Year is not an official Thai public holiday, though it is informally observed by many businesses with Thai-Chinese ownership. Schools and government offices remain open. However, in areas with large Chinese-Thai communities such as Yaowarat, Phuket Town, and Nakhon Sawan, the atmosphere is very much festival-like even without a formal holiday.

What year does the Chinese calendar move to in 2026?

17 February 2026 marks the beginning of the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac calendar. The Year of the Snake precedes it, beginning 29 January 2026.

Where is the best place in Bangkok to experience Chinese New Year?

Yaowarat Road and the surrounding lanes of Bangkok's Chinatown are the undisputed best location. Arrive at the Yaowarat/Ratchawong BTS/MRT area, explore the main street and the smaller lanes behind it, and sample the extraordinary range of Chinese-Thai street food. The evening before the new year and the first morning of the new year are the most atmospheric times to visit.

Chinese New Year in Thailand

ตรุษจีน

Variable — January or February based on the lunar calendar; 17 February 2026Bangkok's Yaowarat Chinatown, Phuket Town, Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai

At a Glance

Dates

Variable — January or February based on the lunar calendar; 17 February 2026

Location

Bangkok's Yaowarat Chinatown, Phuket Town, Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai

Chinese New Year — Lunar New Year or Trut Jin in Thai — is one of the most vibrant and colourful celebrations in Thailand, reflecting the country's deep Thai-Chinese cultural heritage. Thailand has one of the largest ethnic Chinese populations outside mainland China and Taiwan, and the Lunar New Year is observed with intense enthusiasm in Chinatown districts, particularly Bangkok's Yaowarat Road which transforms into a wall-to-wall celebration of lion dances, firecrackers, lanterns, and extraordinary street food for several days around the new year.

Nakhon Sawan holds Thailand's most elaborate official Chinese New Year parade, drawing enormous crowds for its dragon and lion dance processions. Phuket Town's Sino-Portuguese old quarter is another outstanding venue, with lantern-lit streets and Chinese shrine ceremonies. Unlike Songkran, Chinese New Year is not a Thai public holiday, but Thai-Chinese businesses typically observe it and the atmosphere in major Chinatown districts is unmissable.

Highlights

Yaowarat Road in Bangkok transformed with lanterns, lion dances, and exceptional street food
Dragon boat processions and massive parade in Nakhon Sawan
Firecracker ceremonies at Chinese shrines and temples
Dumpling, dim sum, and traditional Chinese-Thai food at street stalls throughout Chinatown

Practical Tips

Yaowarat Road is extremely crowded on the eve and first day of the new year — arrive by 5pm or expect significant difficulty navigating.
Chinese New Year eve dinner is the most important meal of the year for Thai-Chinese families; most Chinatown restaurants are reservation-only for this evening.
The exact date changes each year based on the lunar calendar — check the date well in advance when planning a trip around this event.

Best Destinations

Bangkok

Yaowarat (Chinatown) is the country's most spectacular venue with street festivals, lion dances, and unmissable street food.

Phuket

Phuket Town's Chinese-Thai heritage makes for a deeply atmospheric celebration in the old Sino-Portuguese quarter.

Chiang Mai

The Warorot Market area and Chinatown district hold colourful celebrations drawing northern Thai-Chinese communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

← All Thailand Festivals