Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, is widely celebrated in Thailand, particularly among the Thai-Chinese community. The festivities are rooted in tradition, blending cultural practices from both China and Thailand. 

The Lunar New Year is also intertwined with material objects. People believe in objects that are thought to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits. During the festive season, homes and businesses are adorned with red lanterns, banners and flowers like orchids or plum blossoms to bring good luck.

In celebration of the Lunar New Year, Kokail chats with Thai celebrities about the significance of their lucky charms or their personal add-ons to attract good fortune and luck.

Good Traditions

PP Krit Amnuaydechkorn

“There are many ways to use numbers to enhance your fortune. I have a favourite: 519.”

Numbers hold special significance and are often believed to influence luck and prosperity. Whether they are the digits for the phone, driving licence, lottery tickets and others, many believe in the power of numbers to shape destiny and bring good fortune. In gifting, numbers also play an important symbolic role. During festive periods, gifts are often given in pairs, as numbers such as 2, 6 and 8 (except for the inauspicious 4) represent harmony and symbolise smooth progress. 

PP Krit believes in his lucky number of 519 and fans may want to follow him for a fortune-filled treat. Associating with certain numbers brings PP Krit luck and he believes in keeping his lucky number close.  

Bow Maylada Susri

“If I get a Hong Bao, I’ll feel lucky all year.”

Hong Bao, red envelopes also known as Ang Pao, is one of the time-honoured traditions during the Lunar New Year. These red envelopes, typically filled with money, are gifted by elders to younger family members. Beyond the monetary benefit, receiving a Hong Bao is considered a blessing for good health, success and happiness. Many believe—just like Bow Maylada—that keeping a Hong Bao for as long as possible, especially the first one received, will bring luck throughout the year.

Tad Thapana Chongkolrattanaporn or Tad

“For me, eating oranges will bring luck as they are an auspicious fruit.”

Oranges and tangerines are favourite and significant fruits during the Lunar New Year as they symbolise wealth, good fortune and happiness, making them a common item on tables during this festive time. Their golden colour resembles gold coins, making them a must-have during the celebration. Tad’s tradition embraces this timeless custom and continues to bring him luck.

Daou Pittaya Saechua

“My dad gave me my lucky charm since birth, which has my Chinese name Cai You Fu (蔡有福) on it. You will see the character fu (福) in decorations during the Lunar New Year. ”

Fu (福) relates to luck, blessings, happiness and good fortune. People often hang the  character, usually calligraphed on red paper, in prominent places. During this time, the character ‘fu’ can be seen everywhere—on the doors of shops to homes, and even in rooms—symbolising a blessing of good fortune.

In many cultures, naming a child is not just about choosing a sound or a word that is pleasant. The meaning is especially significant as it often carries deep values or hopes for the child’s future. Lucky is Daou Pittaya, whose father has blessed him with a fortuitous name that follows him everywhere he goes. 

Oscar Edward Wattraserte or Onglee 

“I follow this tradition every year. I don’t normally carry cash, but on Lunar New Year, I keep some in my wallet as a symbol of prosperity.”

There are various ways to attract wealth by keeping certain items in your wallet, such as coins, gold sheets for prosperity, family photos, Buddha images and banknotes. Having money saved in your wallet is considered a symbol of abundance.

In today’s fast-paced world, where cashless transactions are becoming the norm, it’s understandable that many people rarely carry cash. However, for Onglee, this isn’t a concern—he follows his personal tradition of keeping cash in his wallet on this special day as a lucky practice.

More Interpretations of Lucky Charms 

Milk Pansa Vosbein

“For me, it’s the fans—I feel so lucky to have them. They always support me and give me such positive energy, even on my toughest days. Watching their support on social media truly lifts my spirits.”

Milk Pansa’s lucky charm might not be on traditional lists, but it is a heartwarming one. Her bond with her fans is so strong that they constantly exchange positive energy. It’s admirable how she always thinks of her fans, claiming that her idea of a lucky charm comes from their  love and care.

Khunpol Pongpol Panyamit or Khunpol 

“If I have a comb with me, I feel lucky for the day.”

Lucky charms have now become a part of beauty rituals—and we totally get it! For Khunpol, a comb is one of his most cherished symbols of luck, as it can ensure he never has to face a bad hair day. After all, luck and beauty go hand in hand, as confidence is the true source of both.

Prim Chanikarn Tangkabodee, Love Pattranite Limpatiyakorn, and Emi Thasorn Klinnium

The same goes for Prim Chanikarn, Love Pattranite and Emi Thasorn—they each choose a beauty product, specifically lipstick, as their lucky charm. However, they each embrace it in their own way.

Prim: “With the exact shade and brand, the right lipstick will surely brighten my look and is also a lucky charm for me.”

Prim Chanikarn is right—not every colour suits every skin tone. Personal colour analysis has become a trending practice, where people visit colour analysts to be tested for the tone that will suit them best. The analysis categorises people into four seasons: winter, autumn, spring and summer. For her, knowing and understanding the right tone brings both luck and confidence to the path she chooses to take.  

Love: “I think it has to be red lipstick, as red is believed to bring luck.”

Any shade of bold red will never go wrong for Love Pattranite, as red itself symbolises blessings and luck. In many cultures, red is considered an auspicious colour, representing prosperity, happiness and good fortune. It is often seen during celebrations like Lunar New Year and weddings in Chinese culture, and is believed to ward off evil spirits and attract positive energy. Beauty and fortune seem to align in fascinating ways, as people believe specific colours can bring different kinds of luck for them whether it’s for love, wealth, work and more.  

Emi: “My lucky charm is lipstick and the darker the shade, the more confident I feel.”

Emi Thasorn believes in the power of colour and how different shades can influence character. The darker the shade, the more it radiates ‘it-girl’ energy and a confident attitude. Bold red captures the essence that makes women feel confident, while pink or nude lipstick brings out a different, more subtle character. For Emi, it’s more than just a colour—it’s the key to unlocking confidence and owning the room.