Every year, many people in Thailand with Chinese ancestors, celebrate the Chinese New Year with elaborate ceremonies. The Year of the Horse, started on Tuesday 12th February 2002. About 10% of our students were absent from class for several days during this period and the sound of fire crackers could be heard often as people made offerings at different locations all over Samut Prakarn city. The following pictures are of one such ceremony at our school.

The splendid banquet above was not prepared for school lunch but rather for teachers of Chinese origin to pay respect to Chinese deities and their ancestors so that they will receive blessings in return. (right): the school administrator makes an offering.

The offerings include steamed duck, chicken, pork, fruit, Chinese cake and vegetarian food such as dried mushrooms, bean cakes and edible Chinese flowers.

Paper gold and money Paper money, clothes and gold are also offered to the ancestors.

Towards the close of the ceremony, all of the paper offerings were burnt. Then some firecrackers were lit.