Happy Chinese New Year mascot unveiled in Thailand with PM Prayut

The official mascot of global celebration of "Happy Chinese New Year" has been revealed in Thailand.

Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha was among the first to receive the mascot that features a "Fortune Bag" with a rabbit toy and a traditional "hongbao" inside from Charge d'affaires of the Embassy of China in the Kingdom of Thailand Yang Xin.

Prayut also struck a Chinese-style drum at a ceremony in the evening of Jan 19 at Ratchaburi Chinese New Year opening ceremony, expressing his festive greetings for people of Chinese origin in both Thailand and China.

Several government ministers including Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn attended the ceremony. The mascot, the first of its kind overseas, was designed by Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing.

Jan 22 marks the beginning of 2023 Chinese Lunar New Year of the Rabbit, which is celebrated in Thailand mostly by the Thai-Chinese communities.

Chinese New Year celebrations in Ratchaburi will last till Feb 12. Similar celebrations for the Lunar New Year are also held in cities and provincial areas including Bangkok and Chiang Mai.