Chinese families get ready to usher in the New Year
Most Chinese-Thai families spent the eve of Chinese New Year cleaning and decorating their homes as well as making offerings for their ancestors.
Many also burn gold and silver papers, which according to ancient Chinese beliefs, turns into money for dead relatives and ancestors in the afterlife.
The last night of the Lunar Year is also spent enjoying a reunion dinner with friends and family before the new year is ushered in, much like a Christmas or Thanksgiving feast.
Traditionally, Chinese families set off firecrackers to scare away evil spirits before closing the door at night and opening it the following morning to a brighter better year.
This is the first time that Chinese New Year, marked this year from February 12 to 14, has been declared a public holiday in Thailand.
