I've chatted with a local Chinese friend recently about the Chinese New Year celebration over here. He told me that although it was not an official public holiday in Thailand, it used to be big in Thailand. People in Bangkok will stop work for at least 3 to 5 days and the bosses (mostly Chinese) would give red packets to their employees or treat them to dinner.
After the 1997 financial crisis, most of the smaller companies were wiped out (mostly owned by Chinese) and post 97, there were an aggressive takeover of companies from investors abroad. Mostly from the US or Europe. Especially the Ma Ma shops (convinient stores) being killed by the Hypermarts (Tesco, Carrefour, Big C etc). So nowadays, Chinese New Year celebration is not as vibrant as it used to be.
Still, the Chinese here will still purchase some decorations and visit relatives and eat their reunion dinner. Small celebration is better then all the hoo-haas we have in Singapore. And the best part is I have not heard one single lame Chinese New Year song on TV or store (even one own by Chinese). Yeah!!!
3 comments:
CNY songs are not lame lah... they help to set the mood. What is lame are those CNY songs sang by TCS jokers... wah lau... keep showing the MV on TV.
Actually most of the CNY songs they play nowadays are lame. All about getting rich and more ang pows... The traditional ones are ok... those with techno ones can faint...
I HATE CNY song.. the more i hear the more 烦. Around this time of the yr.. everywhere u go, you will die die listen to 1 of this song... SIBE 吵! worse still, my house Sheng Shong open 24 Hr for CNY.. Early in the morning, they will start playing it!!!!! Lucky I stay in high floor! Ah Bo really DL many but LL
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