Guest fountainhall Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 The end of this week will see well over 1.5 billion people around the world celebrating the lunar New Year. 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit, and so if you were born in 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987 or 1999 (can any of gaythailand’s readers be that young?), this is the start of another 12-year cycle for you. That is especially auspicious. (Now try saying that when you have had too much to drink ) If you were born in a Dog year – 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982 etc. – the omens for you are also particularly good this year, especially for those born in 1946. According to feng shui master Visit Techakasem writing in Bangkok Magazine, Dogs will have the best of luck this year. So those of you who are 41, 53, 65 or even 77 (are there any 89 year olds reading this, I wonder?), go out and have a blast on Friday for lots and lots of good times are coming your way. (It doesn’t say if these will be found in the bars or clubs, but they’re a comin’). What of the other animal signs? Well, sadly for Roosters (the years before Dogs), you fare worse than all the others. Master Visit suggests you hunker down and be ready for “struggles, accidents and illness. Tough luck!” Dragons (next year’s animals) don’t have it much better. You “might be abused and obstructed by anonymous persons. There’s also a chance of becoming involved with crime and losing money.” Yikes! Rats (2 years after Dogs), on the other hand, “will feel frustrated and uncomfortable as a result of other people’s behaviour. You might also face obstructions that seem unfair.” With Horses (3 years after Rabbits), “major disagreements could happen with close partners, spouses and parents.” If you are one of those animals who are well and truly screwed this year, don’t leap off the balcony just yet. In true Chinese tradition, there are ways to lessen the impact of your soon-to-be ill fortune. Pop over to Chinatown and make offerings to the God of Rabbit years (sim bao) and the God of Dog years (bia suk). That’ll help you ward off some of that bad luck. Better still, “find a Chinese monk and let him use a piece of gold/silver paper to wipe you from head to toe 12 times”. Now that sounds like an interesting variation on body massage to me Finally, if you are neither a Rabbit, Dog, Rooster Dragon, Rat nor a Horse, Master Vichit has not such good news. For you, “know that the years of the Rabbit tend to be harsh years, though not as bad as Tiger years (last year).” Well, that’s some consolation, I suppose! So, although I'm a few days early, to all posters and gaythailand readers, I wish you the very best in the Year of the Rabbit - whatever Master Visit predicts. Cong Xi Fa Cai or Gung Hei Fat Choy (depending on whether you are from the north or south)! (Laisee red packets for yours truly - containing enough for a drink or two, I trust - may be left with Yaya who I am sure will look after them for me ) Rabbit: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987 Dragon: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988 Snake: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977 Horse: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, Sheep: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979 Monkey: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980 Rooster: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981 Dog: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982 Pig: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983 Rat: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984 Ox: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985 Tiger: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986 Quote
pong Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 in case you did not know it-it only starts tomorrow, 2/2/11. The Viet however, do not like rabbits, as they see it as a kind of rodent eating their precious rice, and have opted for the CAT (but I guess not those shiny gold coloured ones with 1 arm beckoning you into Chinese shops). Be aware if you have any Chinese friends, even mildly Sino-Thai, that all celebrations last for a week or so (nicely started up last sunday with a big house cleaning-I just hope all Chinese bisnis bar-owners have complied with that too in those bars) and are struck with enormous superstitious beliefs and rules as how to it should be done, on risc of having your whole new year spoiled for good luck. Here in this part of BKK where I stay, it really is enormously busy, AirAsia must have done good bisnis, with loads of Taiwanese, Malays and Singaporese going on hols. Even some mainland Chinese are now starting to dare to travel on their own without state-provided minder. And then they find that here in BKK celebrations are not that big, with just the dept.store sponsored dances and a few parades-and some thai popbands playing deafening music in/on Yaowarat, 3 and 4/2, late afternoon and evening. The tourist office did not even bother to print the leaflets in english or chinese. Quote
Bob Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 I would guess that Chiangmai probably celebrates the Chinese New Year more than other areas of Thailand, mostly due to its larger Chinese heretage. In any event, if you're around, you can join in the festivities tomorrow (or Saturday in between the Flower Festival Events) around Warorot Market (locally called Kad Luang market) next to the Ping River. There'll be a few dragons dancing around, a few firecrackers here and there, and a small stage with some activities (including, I've heard, some gymnasts from China). Wearing red clothing is welcomed (and isn't meant to express a political opininon!). Sawatdee Bpee Mai for the second time this year (you get a third one on April 15th). Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 you get a third one on April 15th). Be in Bali on March 15th and you can add a fourth Quote
