The first day of CNY or Chinese New Year is a celebrated festival in Bangkok’s Chinatown, Yaowarat. It’s main road is closed to traffic. I was there in 2019.

If you are afraid of crowd, get out of Yaowarat before 6pm. Above is at 5pm when the crowds are arriving.

Unfortunately, the grand celebration happen after 6pm. The main road of Yaowarat is closed for a parade. People are squeezed to the side walk. Jam packed shoulder to shoulder. Forming a human barricade that lined both sides of the Yaowarat road. You can’t even get from one side of the road to the other. Everyone is waiting for the parade to start.

Along the sidewalks are mobile food stalls on cart. Selling all sort of street food. Tables and stools were placed for patrons.

The festivities were great. But if you dislike sweating people rubbing into you or if you have old folks with you, it maybe wiser to avoid this area after 6pm. People will be arriving and leaving Yaowarat at Hua Lumphong subway station and queue for tickets can be very loong when you are leaving that area after the parade.

But if you want to experience the hustle and buzz, then dive right in!

Yaowarat is famous for many good foods. If your plan is to food hunt.(sample eating from many famous restaurants) Reach there by 3pm. From 3pm to 6pm, you can eat to your stomach’s content. After that you can decide if you want to join in the celebration or get out of there.

Do not miss the famous temple in Yaowarat during CNY. They are all participating in the celebration as people visit temple to seek blessings for the new year.

Wat Traimit, with the giant solid gold Buddha statue is a magnet for people who are praying for prosperity!

Above video shows people tossing coin into a giant alms bowl while making a wish. I am surprised to witness people missing the mark even though it is so close.😅hope their wishes will still come through.

Cute souvenirs for the festival. You can be a proud owner of a Chinese Dragon. Good decor for office desk?

The CNY festivities in Yaowarat, Bangkok is great. Remember, it only take place on the 1st day of CNY. This is a community event.

CNY varies in the Gregorian calendar every year because it follows the Chinese lunar calendar. Usually sometime in February. Just Google for the day.

So if you happen to be in Bangkok during the 1st day of CNY, you might want to check it out.