PHOTOS

24 JAN 2012

Welcoming the Dragon

Thais of Chinese heritage joined over a billion Asians yesterday (Jan 23) in welcoming the Year of the Dragon with a cacophony of fireworks, hoping the mightiest sign in the Chinese zodiac will usher in the wealth and power it represents. Photos by Post Photographers.

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Welcoming the Dragon — Bangkok's Chinatown welcomes the Lunar New Year. This Chinese New Year marks the Year of the Dragon, the fifth of the 12 Chinese animal zodiac signs that operate in a 12-year cycle. Photo by Patipat Janthong.

Welcoming the Dragon — Chinese lanterns illuminate a street in Chachoengsao during a two-day festival held in the city to welcome the Year of the Dragon. Photo by Sontanaporn Inchan.

Welcoming the Dragon — Tourists enjoy the festivities on Yaowarat Road in Bangkok's Chinatown. Photo by Seksan Rojjanametakul.

Welcoming the Dragon — Buddhists make merit at Wat Leng Noei Yi in Yaowarat, Bangkok's Chinatown. Photo by Thiti Wannamontha.

Welcoming the Dragon — Shiro, a six-year-old poodle, enjoys a stroll around Bangkok's Chinatown with her owner during Chinese New Year celebrations. Photo by Seksan Rojjanametakul.

Welcoming the Dragon — Wat Leng Noei Yi, also known as Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (Dragon Lotus temple), is the largest Chinese Buddhist temple in Bangkok and the traditional centre of Lunar New Year celebrations in the capital. Photo by Thiti Wannamontha.

Welcoming the Dragon — Buddhist monks welcome the Chinese New Year along with worshippers at Wat Leng Noei Yi. Photo by Thiti Wannamontha.

Welcoming the Dragon — Red lanterns, to signify health and prosperity, decorate a street in Yaowarat. Official figures show spending on the festive season is down compared with last year as people continue to recover from the flood crisis and shaky economy. Photo by Patipat Janthong.

Welcoming the Dragon — Thailand Post launched 555 sets of its new "God of Luck" stamp collection at the Lao Pun Tao Kong shrine on Yaowarat Road to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The stamps were blessed for extra auspiciousness. Photo by Seksan Rojjanametakul.