The holiday season in Thailand

I am married with a Thai and therefore celebrate mostly the Thai holidays. The major holidays are New Year and the Buddhist New Year (Songkhran).

I don't celebrate the western holidays here. Christmas, Halloween etc. are imported holidays and only used to tempt the people to go shopping - and for the tourists.

They only exception is a Christmass dinner, because our son loves the big Christmas trees so much...

I also mostly avoid special expat events ans also don't go back to my home country for the holidays.

Thailand is a Bhudist country so they do nor celebrate christmas

I worked in schools for almost 20 years. With all of the kids around there was always an electrifying atmosphere in the schools that was very contagious. At one school they had a fire drill around this time. However, as all of the kids were in there places a fire truck drove up with blaring sirens. When they stopped a Santa Clause came off the truck and they presents for every child. If nothing else the surprised look on the children's faces was precious.
For me I will be in Chiang Mai having a quiet holiday. I do see like the states Christmas decorations and Christmas things in the stores. There is a spirit in the air, just not as electrifying as the states. I will attend a special brunch on Christmas eve, with a large expat group. I do have a Thai lady friend and will be taking her to a Christmas day brunch and at very upscale place. She enjoys both the festivities and the variety of different foods. It's at the Meridian which has a Swiss kitchen staff. Beyond that it will a peaceful holiday.

davejc wrote:

Thailand is a Bhudist country so they do nor celebrate christmas

They don't celebrate it the religious way, of course. Many Thais probably don't know the background of Christmas. But Thailand celebrates Christmas as a big shopping event.

We don't celebrate Christmas in Thailand, however sometime before Xmas we sometimes get to a Hotel for a buffet dinner. I do miss the Turkey, Ham, Lamb, & Prime Rib. Real Cesar Salad is always worth looking forward to. Then there is the Champagne & Wines. Sometimes we stay over for the night. Thailand has been the only country where I have been able to afford a stay in a 5 star Hotel, and I usually book way ahead for a good price. I enjoying listening to Christmas music in Thai. And it's refreshing to know you don't have all that crazy buying going on like back home.

Unfortunately I am back in my home country and spend Christmas with my Grandchildren. It is the normal here but when I return to Thailand in the middle of Jan I bring Christmas presents for my GF and her sons and we enjoy a meal at a decent Western Rest .They have no concept of the reason of Christmas.
I intend spending my next Christmas in Thailand.
Barry

Long ago I worked in a 5 star hotel in Bangkok with Christmas and New Year being big events.  Understanding Thanksgiving and Christmas, my wife has on occasion baked a turkey but it looks like we will do a Christmas brunch with friends at the Meridien here in Chiang Rai this year.  We were invited by a few of my wife's friends who don't feel like cooking either.

For the most part holidays are simply holidays for us and a time to get together with people we know and eat a bit more than we should.  If we end up buying something special at this time of year it will be labeled as a Christmas present but we probably would have gotten it anyway.

When my wife and I arrived here in 2010, we bought a 6 foot artificial Christmas Tree which we decorate each year.  When our cats were alive, they would sleep under the tree. We normally put up the tree after Thanksgiving occurs in the US and take it down after New Year's Day. Since New Year's is more popular here, we exchange gifts then.

davejc wrote:

Thailand is a Bhudist country so they do nor celebrate christmas

Partially correct, predominantly Buddhist

Except... Chanthaburi province has a large Roman Catholic congregation, a cathedral which is the most prominent building in the city, numerous Catholic churches and schools, junior and senior. We have been in Tha Mai since 2011, and first holidayed here Xmas 2010 when we saw the town Xmas Eve parade




Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Chanthaburi city. Illuminated and decorated each year for Xmas

Our local (Tha Mai) Catholic church Xmas parade each year, around the town centre then back to church for shared Xmas party, food and music











The cathedral (1909) is on the site of the first Catholic church here, and in 2011 the congregation celebrated 300th anniversary of churches on this site, in the historic Chantaboon area on the riverside in Chanthaburi City, with the first having been built in 1711

So yes, Xmas is celebrated here. As is Easter, and church events get coverage on provincial tv channel CTV.

The cathedral is a very popular backdrop for Thai wedding photography, whether Christian or Buddhist, it's "romantic"

My favourite pastime, kayaking at Khung Krabaen on the Chanthaburi coast

Chanthaburi city this week, cathedral lit up for Xmas celebrations