Phuket Town Mayor Saroj Angkhanapilas led the official opening at Chartered Bank intersection in the Phuket Old Town on Saturday night (Feb 3).
Mr Saroj noted that the Lantern Festival, or ‘Yuan Xiao Jie’, is a time when Chinese people reunite with family and make blessings to bring joy and happiness to the family.
“It is also a time for families to meet and participate in various activities such as releasing lanterns, enjoying light decorations and setting off firecrackers. The Lantern Festival has been passed down into local culture to continue and preserve the good culture of the local area, as well as creating a good atmosphere and image for tourism. It stimulates the economy and generates incomes for people in the local area,” he said.
Phuket City Municipality has organised activities “Sweep the house to welcome Chinese New Year” throughout Phuket Town, he said.
“And during this time, Thai-Chinese people in Phuket buy things to decorate homes, such as blessings decorations, including red lanterns, to bring good luck, long life, prosperity and happiness,” he added.
The event on Saturday night highlighted large illuminated characters placed at the Chartered Bank Intersection and including a range of festivities, including cultural dance performances.
Earlier in the day, Mayor Saroj joined a Chinese New Year celebration event at the Limelight shopping centre in Phuket Town, complete with dancing dragons.
The Phuket Lantern Festival will continue through to Feb 24.