Devotees pay regard to Chinese divinebeings at Wat Mangkon Kamalawat in Yaowarat to ward off bad luck and ask for trueblessings. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard) The Year of the Dragon starts on Saturday, the start of the Lunar New Year, which is particularly significant for Thais with Chinese origins. Amid the joyful events, another bond that links the 2 cultures is their shared belief in resolving any bad fortune that might be in line in the roadway ahead. This is typically referred to as “fixing a cursed year”. In Thai, “cursed year” is Pi Chong, while preventing bad luck is Kae Chong. Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, likewise understood as Wat Leng Noei Yi, in the Yaowarat location of Pomprap Sattruphai district, is typically understood as Bangkok’s Chinatown. The holy website ranks as one of the most checkedout temples in the nation, and it is a location where Thais of Chinese descent checkout throughout the Lunar New Year to make benefit and carryout unique rites to exorcise any portents of bad luck. The temple’s Cantonese name — Leng Noei Yi, which suggests “dragon lotus temple”, is anticipated to draw even bigger crowds throughout this year’s event. “Every year, I come here at least assoonas throughout the Chinese New Year celebration,” stated visitor Kanyarat Heman. “Since we wear’t truly understand what will takeplace to us or our liked ones, making benefit and thinking about great things [at the start of the New Year] will at least make us feel more calm,” she stated. Making benefit makes her consider the errors she made in the past year and makes her pledge she will not repeat them this year, she stated. Ms Kanyarat stated she checkouts the temple every year since she thinks that it is a spiritual location — a concept shared by others who come to make benefit and desires. “This temple is finest understood as a holy location most appropriate for carryingout the rite to ward off bad luck we’re doomed to encounter at some point,” stated Somchai Charusomphon, a 63-year-old visitor. “I come twotimes a year since I feel excellent whenever I’m here. It’s simply for the rite to exorcise my bad fortune,” he stated. He stated he has established a strong bond with the temple as his dad was a Chinese migrant who settled here years back. Built throughout the reign of King Rama V, the Chinese Mahayana Buddhist temple sits at the heart of Yaowarat. “Thais and Chinese are more like neighbours, so our temples share specific resemblances,” stated Mr Somchai. This year, he brought a buddy, Suraphong Sabaichit, who was goingto the temple for the veryfirst time. Mr Suraphong stated his veryfirst impression was that the temple had stunning Chinese architecture, which he explained as being comparable to an fascinating art exhibit. “It’s much simpler to get here now thanks to the gainaccessto offered by the MRT underground electrical train system,” he stated. “And as we no longer have to concern about where to park our vehicle, we have more time to checkout Yaowarat and delightin some of the tasty street food.” Talking talismans Apart from goingto temples, some Thai-Chinese buy talismans and other New Year presents to ward off bad luck. One male, who provided his name as Tony, 60, informed the Bangkok Post he had justrecently bought some dragon-shaped lanterns. “I think this Year of the Golden Dragon will bring me a huge fortune, and I anticipate excellent things are in shop for me this Lunar New Year,” he stated. He was referring to one of the 5 aspects — earth, wood, metal (gold), fire and water — that go togetherwith the 12 animal indications in the Chinese zodiac. Sirikarn Ratanopap, 22, stated she had snapped up an “auspicious” bracelet with a dragon pendant to bring her excellent luck. “This Chinese New Year, I’m paying my appreciates to my forefathers who passed away while likewise delightingin some rest with my household,” Ms Sirikarn stated. Siripha Jamrunkit, 22, who likewise purchased a dragon-themed device for great fortune, stated she thought this would be her fortunate year. At the temple, she wanted for health and joy for her household for the year ahead, Ms Siripha stated. Chinese ambassador’s g
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