Thailand Prime Minister Prayut delivered a speech on the opening ceremony. (Photo: People's Daily/Zhao Yipu)

Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha attended an opening ceremony for the Ratchaburi Chinese New Year celebration on Thursday evening in Ratchaburi, a western Thailand town and capital of Ratchaburi Province.

Sponsored by the Thailand Tourism and Sports Ministry, Thailand Culture Ministry and Ratchaburi government, the celebration will last until Monday January 23.

"Gong xi fa cai!" Prayut said. "This year marks the 48th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China.

"We kept our friendship all 48 years and the Thailand government celebrates Chinese New Year almost every year."

The prime minister called for more Chinese tourists to come to Thailand.

"Tourism is important to the Thailand economy and Thai people," he said. "We always welcome Chinese tourists."

A large Chinese community can be found in Ratchaburi, 150 kilometers from Bangkok where people have a tradition of celebrating the Chinese New Year.