Celebrate Christmas in Thailand
Bangkok, the city of unlimited possibilities.
If you are in Bangkok for the first time, it is like an enormous sensory overload. Wherever you look, there is something new, interesting or even wacky to see. In addition to the skyscrapers, which rise side by side into the sky, there are at the same time many small stalls on the roadside, which offer all kinds of delicacies. Alone the Streetfood culture of Bangkok — no of whole Thailand — lets one marvel.
I was meanwhile already a few times in Thailand and also already often in Bangkok and I am also again and again somewhat overwhelmed by Bangkok’s flair. It is difficult to describe the feeling that the city that never sleeps triggers in you. It’s a combination of wonder, fascination, curiosity, overwhelm and hectic. But there is something unique about it that simply captivates you and doesn’t let go.
And something else that is also very special or typical for Thailand is that pretty much every festival that exists is celebrated here. In addition to the traditional Thai festivals, almost every other festival is celebrated here. Be it Halloween, Thanks Giving, Easter or Christmas. The Thais do not miss any opportunity to celebrate and decorate the city in a new splendor according to the respective festival.
Christmas trees at tropical 30 degrees
It may seem a bit strange and out of place at first, when you find Christmas trees and Christmas decorations everywhere at about 30 degrees outside temperature and sun. I mean, Christmas is usually associated with winter and you hope for snow and a white Christmas. This of course includes hot tea, mulled wine and the thick winter jacket with wool hat and gloves. Well, that does not exist here.
In Bangkok, people walk around in shorts, dresses and sandals between the colorful and pompously decorated Christmas trees. No matter if it is the Christmas decoration in the malls or in front of it and distributed on the streets. One thing is clear: Bangkok outdoes itself. Often it is perhaps a bit very kitschy or gaudy but on the other hand it is also something else to celebrate Christmas at 30 degrees.
Colorfully decorated trees can be found all over Bangkok. Whether in small restaurants or cafes or in the huge malls and hotels. Everywhere there are Christmas decorations, which provide a Christmas atmosphere even in tropical temperatures. But not only the decorations provide the right feeling. N…
There are also extra wintry drinks and almost everywhere — no matter if radio, train, mall or lobby of a hotel — merry Christmas music is playing. Even snowflakes or snowmen are pasted and sprayed on the windows. Everywhere you see garlands with lights and even the typical European green fir trees. Christmas hats are of course also in abundance.
Pattaya — German Christmas
But not only in Bangkok there is Christmas spirit. Pattaya also leaves nothing to be desired. Well, the snow may be missing but even for that there is a solution. In Pattaya there is the “Frost Magical Ice Of Siam”. There are not only numerous sculptures made of ice but also the Christmas winter atmosphere with ice, snow and thick winter jackets. So then you can spend icy Christmas in Thailand if you want. We plan to visit this wintry place once at Christmas and see for ourselves.
Just like Bangkok and probably almost all parts of Thailand, Pattaya has festive decorations. Restaurants, cafes, malls, hotels…. Simply everything shines in a Christmas glow. There are even illuminated reindeer sleighs and the large supermarkets sell Christmas sweets such as gingerbread, dominoes or even speculoos. In the Central Festival Mall, a huge Christmas tree that reaches up to the ceiling draws all the attention and lights up.
Many cafe employees wear red Christmas hats or hair bands with reindeer ears or little red elf hats. I couldn’t help myself and bought a Christmas hat in the supermarket as well. And hey, I can even use them very well in the malls.
There it is always very cold due to the strongly set air conditioners. In the meantime, I have even bought two long sweaters so that I don’t freeze in the malls anymore. So I am now also fully equipped for Christmas.
So I sit now often with shorts, top and Christmas hat on our balcony. With a view of the sea and by the warm temperature it seems a bit strange but I find it somehow also very cool. It has something absurd, funny and that makes Christmas in Thailand just also something special. I am curious how the visit to the icy world of Frost Magical Ice Of Siam will be. We might need something warmer to wear for that. But if I understood correctly, you can also rent everything you need there on site like gloves, down jackets, shoes, hats and scarves.
Hohoho and have a great holiday season! :-)
