BANGKOK, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Bangkok residents and tourists on Tuesday flocked to Bangkok's famous China Town to shop for the coming Chinese New Year, which will kick off on Jan. 25 on Saturday.

Many Thai shoppers sorted meat and fruits as well as items for ancestral worships in various stores to welcome the Year of the Rat.

Across Thailand, many have flocked to markets to buy food for the rituals that are on high demand.

The Thai Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday that according to market mechanism, during the Chinese New Year period, prices of pork have increased by about 10 percent.

Pork is one of the mainstay foods offering for the rituals during the Chinese New Year in Thailand.

The Ministry of Commerce also said that sales of joss paper in the shapes of cash and different material goods have dropped due to the awareness on smog pollution.

At corners of China Town streets, Chinese communities have geared up for the Chinese New Year celebration with Chinese-themed performances, lion dance and deity worshiping.

According to Thai-Chinese tradition, rituals to worship gods and ancestors will be held on the Chinese New Year's Eve on Friday when family members gather at shrines and temples.