10 FEBRUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A "Laughing Buddha" accompanies a parade of Lion Dancers on Chinese New Year in Bangkok. The Buddhas are comic and acrobatic characters who interact with the crowd and tease the lion with a fan or a ball. The lion in turn will play with, chase, or even bite and kick the buddha depending on its mood. Because it is difficult for the lion dancers to see, the Buddhas also help the lions find their "food", etc. Bangkok has a large Chinese emigrant population, most of whom settled in Thailand in the 18th and 19th centuries. Chinese, or Lunar, New Year is celebrated with fireworks and parades in Chinese communities throughout Thailand. The coming year will be the "Year of the Snake" in the Chinese zodiac. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ