Shotlight

Red party

By Tatat Bunnag

Ring in the Year of the Rat

It�s about time again for one of the most elaborate and colourful celebrations of the year. The 15-day Chinese New Year celebration is a time for parties, fireworks, gift-giving and family reunions replete with tasty feasts. For teens, Chinese New Year has a bonus � traditionally they�re handed red ang-pao envelopes, containing money from their older relatives.

People like to celebrate Chinese New Year in many different ways � some take a few days off or head out of town and visit relatives and friends. Some just like to stay home and relax.

Student Weekly took to the streets and asked some locals what they�ll be doing to ring in Chinese New Year.

�I hope to get enough money this year to buy a new stereo.�

Ittarit Winyol, 21, college student

�My mom always goes to the temple on the first day of the new year and spends all day there chatting with relatives. This year will be the same, and I wish I could be there!�

Marisa Jindapitinun, 22, account executive at Benchmark

�I guess I�m too old to receive a red envelope, but at least I�m not old enough to give one.�

Suppakit SaeMeng, 23, graphic designer

�My family always has a big house-cleaning session before Chinese New Year. I don�t like it at all. It�s so boring!�

Sawanya Amornjit, 18, college student

�I�ve celebrated Chinese New Year on several occasions with a group of friends. It�s great fun, with nice food and cool music. One day I�d like to be in China for the event.�

Thanongsak Inprakorn, 26, Blue Jay Way�s singer

�I�ll eat non-stop for the first three days of celebrations. Then I�ll go on an intensive diet and work out at the gym.�

Ganyarat Laohakritprathep, 24, model and actress

�On the first day, I�ll have to go out visiting relatives. I�ll be asked questions like: �Have you got a girlfriend yet?��

Kris Kongsook, 23, college student

�This will be the Year of the Rat, so I�ll probably stay home eating all day and playing games with my two brothers.�

Rawee Kansanarat, 17, student

�My family doesn�t celebrate Chinese New Year, so I won�t get any ang-pao.�

Wanu Jiropitak, 25, programmer at Drumbeat

�I go to the New Year celebrations in Chinatown almost every year, and I have a great time. There�s always lots of interesting stuff going on, and great food too!�

Thanee Manasintu, 24, assistant director at Phranakorn Film

	elaborate (adj): complicated and detailed; carefully prepared and organized firework (n): a small device containing powder that burns or explodes, producing bright coloured lights and loud noises reunion (n): a social occasion or party attended by a group of people who have not seen each other for a long time replete (adj): with a full supply of something feast (n): a large, special meal, especially with a lot of people bonus (n): anything pleasant that is more than what you were expecting relative (n): a person who is in the same family as somebody else chat (v): to talk in a friendly and informal way to somebody session (n): a particular time that is spent doing a particular activity