My first thai Christmas

[AgMech Cowboy]

4 minutes ago, fruitman said:

I know who you are mate...uhmm pal....

Nice try, mate, but he's missing the tats. ????????

[NoshowJones]

Bifurcated? Have you swallowed a dictionary?

[neeray]

1 hour ago, HHTel said:

The title should be changed.  There's no such thing as a Thai Christmas.  The poster meant he was spending Christmas in Thailand which means something different.

I think you're being a little bit picky. Perhaps the posters first language is not English. I knew right away what he was saying; I'll bet most others did too.

[NoshowJones]

On 12/24/2019 at 9:14 PM, thequietman said:

Then, you have a years notice .................. come to mine next year. As long as you are not English or a really keen yank, you are good to go. ????

I may take you up on that, I assume being Scottish is OK. PM me with your address.

[NoshowJones]

On 12/25/2019 at 7:07 AM, Crossy said:

We're having Xmas lunch with friends, but if we hadn't been invited it would be just another working day.

 

We do usually have a holiday barbie the Sunday before, but Madam lost her mum last week so that was cancelled in favour of the funeral ????

 

 

Sorry to hear that Crossy, my condolences.

[HHTel]

12 minutes ago, neeray said:

I think you're being a little bit picky. Perhaps the posters first language is not English. I knew right away what he was saying; I'll bet most others did too.

Of course I knew what he was saying.  Just underlining the fact that the Thais do not celebrate Christmas and without the expats and foreign tourists, I doubt you would even see a Christmas tree.

I've been here 20 years and I love Christmas being a 'non-event' except for the one day.  Back home it's in your face for a month or so.

[NoshowJones]

On 12/25/2019 at 8:34 AM, Kadilo said:

He’s it’s all a bit surreal seeing thai children dressed on Santa outfits and jingle bells being piped in every shop. The commercial side of things out here has dramatically taken off. 

Out walking this morning this around the park and a group of joggers went past and wished me a happy Christmas which was nice but felt a bit strange. 
 

"The commercial side of things out here has dramatically taken off."  Yes, it sure has, capitalism has taken over everywhere, compare Christmas to when we were kids, you must see the difference now, same goes for Easter, Valentines day, Mothers day, Fathers day, all commercialised by the capitalist money men, and everyone falls for it. What next? Grannys and Grandpas days?

Christmas is nice for the kids, as is giving presents to family and close relations, but things have gone too far now, and I'm glad to be here in Thailand at Christmas instead of in the UK.

[NoshowJones]

40 minutes ago, neeray said:

In my opinion, Christmas in most Western countries is 99% commercial, the grand sales opportunity of the year. Thailand merchants play the Christmas tunes and put up some fake decorations just to cash in on this commercial event. I don't blame them; it's called marketing.

Another name is capitalism.

[Crossy]

19 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

Sorry to hear that Crossy, my condolences.

 

Thanks.

 

The old girl was 96 so she'd had a pretty good innings, only a short illness so no suffering.

 

Madam is coping OK, she's now the senior family member.

 

[KhunKenAP]

In Thailand until recently for the benefit of tourist and the almighty (baht)$, Christmas was a non-event. Even the malls back in 2000 did not have any Christmas displays.

 

My first year here, for Christmas my current wife and I went to Koh Samui. On December 24, there was a pre-paid Christmas dinner with show as part of the room charge.

 

There were three acts in the show. First two had nothing to do with Chistmas. The final act consisted of a ladyboy dressed as Santa wearing a stuffed dong which was liberally swung around.

 

That in 2000, was a Thai Christmas. lol

[neeray]

12 minutes ago, HHTel said:

Of course I knew what he was saying.  Just underlining the fact that the Thais do not celebrate Christmas and without the expats and foreign tourists, I doubt you would even see a Christmas tree.

I've been here 20 years and I love Christmas being a 'non-event' except for the one day.  Back home it's in your face for a month or so.

2 months now, even more for some.

[camble]

 

Kids are wondering about this old farang

 

 

[Moo 2]

Why on earth would they want an event that's only celebrated by western society religions.

We don't celebrate Songkran in Christian religion, so don't bother, Schools would have to close for a few days.

Can you imagine, outside Thailand, throwing buckets of water on people who are just passing by!

It's not allowed, only riot cops are allowed to splash water on people.

[samuttodd]

Just now, Moo 2 said:

Why on earth would they want an event that's only celebrated by western society religions.

We don't celebrate Songkran in Christian religion, so don't bother, Schools would have to close for a few days.

Can you imagine, outside Thailand, throwing buckets of water on people who are just passing by!

It's not allowed, only riot cops are allowed to splash water on people.

 

I showered a bunch of nuns with songkran water back in boise,  and man were they steamed.   I had to make a run for it.

[thurien]

On 12/24/2019 at 9:03 PM, maprao said:

I haven't had a "real" western Christmas in over 20 years. Never really missed it until the last few years..Guess it age and nostalgia creeping up on me 

same to me; btw I am too old already for nostalgia (= forgot...)

[orchidfan]

2 hours ago, CM Dad said:

MELLY KISS A MUTT!

Ah, so that's what the checkout girl in the 7.11 said to me ????

[Jaggg88]

8 hours ago, HHTel said:

The title should be changed.  There's no such thing as a Thai Christmas.  The poster meant he was spending Christmas in Thailand which means something different.

 

In general, you'll only see Christmas displays in cities where there are likely to be tourists.  Otherwise, it's 'business as usual'.  My grandson took a day off school for Christmas day, and that means sending him to school with a letter explaining his absence!

Not true. I'm in Nakhon Sawan and its xmas everywhere and this is certainly not a tourist city. Central park is a mass of decorations and lights as are all the shops and restaurants.

The photo is from my village in the suburbs. I'm the only farang on the development so I'm sure it wasn't erected for my benefit.

[Elkski]

I spent xmas eve and day in planes crossing 14 time zones.  32 hour in transit.   I must be in love or stupid. 

Its sad to report that xmas in USA now starts with xmas  trees on display for sale at stores mid October  even before Halloween !!.    Sushi sounds so right on xmas.  That restaurant review makes me want to try that place.  

[Grusa]

8 hours ago, neeray said:

In my opinion, Christmas in most Western countries is 99% commercial, the grand sales opportunity of the year. Thailand merchants play the Christmas tunes and put up some fake decorations just to cash in on this commercial event. I don't blame them; it's called marketing.

I strongly recommend this link:- 

 

.?

[HHTel]

58 minutes ago, Jaggg88 said:

Not true. I'm in Nakhon Sawan and its xmas everywhere and this is certainly not a tourist city. Central park is a mass of decorations and lights as are all the shops and restaurants.

The photo is from my village in the suburbs. I'm the only farang on the development so I'm sure it wasn't erected for my benefit.

You know what's coming...... the question WHY? comes to mind.  I'd love to hear an explanation from the Thais or the authorities responsible.  All schools (except Salesian schools) are open.  Government offices are open. Even immigration offices are open as usual.  So, WHY?

[fruitman]

10 hours ago, HHTel said:

You know what's coming...... the question WHY? comes to mind.  I'd love to hear an explanation from the Thais or the authorities responsible.  All schools (except Salesian schools) are open.  Government offices are open. Even immigration offices are open as usual.  So, WHY?

I also like to know why.

 

We also have loads of decorations in the moobaan, they finished them 4 days ago....why?? There's nothing to sell here to make profit for the thai and we have plenty of streetlight of all kinds already.

 

My christian thai friend even has to work during christmas at the office.

 

The malls were playing christmas songs all day long 4 weeks ago, this week i didn't hear any song....why??

 

And in europe the christmas stuff is all gone after new year, i bet in thailand it's still hanging in februari/march.....why??

 

 

[melvinmelvin]

 

couple of years back I was surprised to discover that BigC sported ALL ingredients

required for a proper Xmas meal from/in my country

 

it was noted in a post above that xmas was the celebration/comem. of the birth of Jesus,

note that the Jesus bit is a fairly modern ingredient in Xmas jippos, about 1000 years only,

Xmas was celebrated way before that.

 

the gist of Xmas is a pissup to celebrate that the sun has "turned" and that days will become longer