Lunar New Year 2023 in Bangkok

A girl dressed in traditional Chinese clothing smiles big while standing next to a donation box at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
A girl dressed in traditional Chinese clothing smiles big while standing next to a donation box at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock

Photographs + Story by: Matt Hunt

Lunar New Year 2023 (The Year of the Rabbit), also known as the Chinese New Year and the Spring Festival, begins as Chinese tourists return to Thailand for the first time since the zero-covid lockdown began in Mainland China 3 years ago. The Thai government expects at least five million Chinese tourists will visit the Kingdom this year.

The following photographs were taken around Yaowarat Road on Friday, January 20, 2023– the first day of the New Year weekend in Bangkok, Thailand.

People pray at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
People pray at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
A shrine with various figurines and well wishes of the new year are seen on display at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
A shrine with various figurines and well wishes of the new year are seen on display at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
A girl dressed in traditional Chinese clothing poses in front of a shrine at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
A girl dressed in traditional Chinese clothing poses in front of a shrine at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
Temple workers wrap colorful fabric around a pillar at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
Temple workers wrap colorful fabric around a pillar at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
Peope light incense as a part of a prayer ritual at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Alamy News
Peope light incense as a part of a prayer ritual at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Alamy News
Rabbit toys attached to Chinese lanterns are seen for sale at a shop in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Alamy News
Rabbit toys attached to Chinese lanterns are seen for sale at a shop in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Alamy News
People go shopping for firecrackers and other ornaments of the new year at a market stall in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Alamy News
People go shopping for firecrackers and other ornaments of the new year at a market stall in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Alamy News
A vendor prepares her stall with a variety of merchandise to celebrate the new year in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Alamy News
A vendor prepares her stall with a variety of merchandise to celebrate the new year in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Alamy News
An artist paints Chinese lettering onto greeting cards. Matt Hunt / Alamy News
An artist paints Chinese lettering onto greeting cards. Matt Hunt / Alamy News
Stacks of fake money are seen for sale at a shop in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Alamy News
Stacks of fake money are seen for sale at a shop in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Alamy News
A tourist poses for a selfie in front of a shop selling merchandise for Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
A tourist poses for a selfie in front of a shop selling merchandise for Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
A motorcycle delivery driver drives away with boxes of fireworks tied onto the back of their bike. Matt Hunt / Neato
A motorcycle delivery driver drives away with boxes of fireworks tied onto the back of their bike. Matt Hunt / Neato
A street food vendor shows off some freshly steamed bread on the street in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
A street food vendor shows off some freshly steamed bread on the street in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
A vendor reaches for flammable cardboard objects at his shop in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
A vendor reaches for flammable cardboard objects at his shop in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
A traditional Chinese steamed cake vendor prepares her product for an influx of customers in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
A traditional Chinese steamed cake vendor prepares her product for an influx of customers in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
Traditional Chinese cakes are seen for sale at a pushcart vendor in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
Traditional Chinese cakes are seen for sale at a pushcart vendor in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
Red Chinese lanterns are seen hanging at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
Red Chinese lanterns are seen hanging at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
Workers carry baskets of fresh flowers into a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
Workers carry baskets of fresh flowers into a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
Someone poses for a photo in a "Year of The Rabbit" frame at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
Someone poses for a photo in a “Year of The Rabbit” frame at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Neato
An ornate rabbit is seen hanging beneath red Chinese lanterns at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
An ornate rabbit is seen hanging beneath red Chinese lanterns at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
People pray at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
People pray at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
A portrait of Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha is seen on display at a shrine placed for people to pray for her current health crisis at temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
A portrait of Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha is seen on display at a shrine placed for people to pray for her current health crisis at temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
A girl dressed in traditional Chinese clothing stands next to a donation box at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
A girl dressed in traditional Chinese clothing stands next to a donation box at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
A girl dressed in traditional Chinese clothing smiles big while standing next to a donation box at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
A girl dressed in traditional Chinese clothing smiles big while standing next to a donation box at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
People light candles as a part of a prayer ritual at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
People light candles as a part of a prayer ritual at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
A tourist walks through a model of a shrine used for prayer at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
A tourist walks through a model of a shrine used for prayer at a temple in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
Vendors carry large poles of Chinese paper lanterns on the street in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
Vendors carry large poles of Chinese paper lanterns on the street in Chinatown. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
Members of a Chinese Dragon performance crew walk through the crowded streets of a Chinatown alleyway market with the heads of their costumes removed. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock
Members of a Chinese Dragon performance crew walk through the crowded streets of a Chinatown alleyway market with the heads of their costumes removed. Matt Hunt / Shutterstock

Published by

Matt Hunt

Matt Hunt is a documentary photographer connecting with people, sharing moments, and telling stories in Southeast Asia. Currently based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Previous Post

Next Post