Westerner Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 I've been out and about this morning and have noticed Christmas decorations going up everywhere in this predominantly Buddhist Country. How lovely this is when you consider some Christian Countries are trying to ban Christmas because it's not bloody 'politically correct'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckamuck Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 (edited) The things you see of course have nothing to do with Christmas in any religious sense, which is why I am confused obout why those things are being banned in the West. I assume it is because of people with an axe to grind about anything remotely Christian. It is interesting that the Thais want to be involved with the holiday but I think it has more to do with marketing and Hollywood than anything else. However, It is a great tradition and if we can share the spirit of giving and goodwill to men with our friends here than it is a benefit to all. Merry Christmas Edited December 15, 2007 by canuckamuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howtoescape Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Id be happy for xmas to be banned. In the UK at xmas i see lot of unhappy kids being dragged around shopping centres whilst mummy and daddy spend 1000s on crap gifts people dont even want. Yours Ebeneezor Scrooge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intumult Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Oh NO!! the dreaded christmas! I am glad to escape the incessant carols, adverts and the mugging of parents, grandparents and others. Bliss to be here and not have it rammed down your throat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Our condo always has a tree in the reception area. We are well outside the tourist region and the majority of residents are Thai, Indian (we has some Dewali lights last month too) and Japanese with a couple of Italiand and a Brit (me). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevykanteve Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 I was surprised to see that Christmas is now a Public Holiday in Thailand, at least according to ThaiVisa. Note what I have copied and pasted below, the original having been posted by George. Is this actually true???? I mean, the part about December 25? Thailand Public Holidays 2007 January 01: New Year's Day January 02: in lieu February 18-19: Chinese New Year March 03: Makha Bucha day March 05: in lieu April 06: Chakri Day April 13-17: Songkran - Thai New Year May 01: Labour Day May 05: Coronation Day May 07: in lieu May 31: Visakha Bucha Day July 29: Asanha Bucha Day July 30: Buddhist Lent Day July 31: in lieu August 12: Queen's Birthday August 13: in lieu October 23: Chulalongkorn Day October 26: End of Buddhist Lent November 24: Loy Kratong December 05: King's Birthday December 10: Constitution Day December 25: Christmas Day December 31: New Year's Eve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 If they start saying "Have a blessed day" when you buy a pack of condoms I am outta here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howtoescape Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Thailand Public Holidays 2007 January 01: New Year's Day January 02: in lieu February 18-19: Chinese New Year March 03: Makha Bucha day March 05: in lieu April 06: Chakri Day April 13-17: Songkran - Thai New Year May 01: Labour Day May 05: Coronation Day May 07: in lieu May 31: Visakha Bucha Day July 29: Asanha Bucha Day July 30: Buddhist Lent Day July 31: in lieu August 12: Queen's Birthday August 13: in lieu October 23: Chulalongkorn Day October 26: End of Buddhist Lent November 24: Loy Kratong December 05: King's Birthday December 10: Constitution Day December 25: Christmas Day December 31: New Year's Eve Thailand must have the record for public holidays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrong Turn Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 I've been out and about this morning and have noticed Christmas decorations going up everywhere in this predominantly Buddhist Country. How lovely this is when you consider some Christian Countries are trying to ban Christmas because it's not bloody 'politically correct'. I think that Christmas is way over done in Buddhist countries. The Christmas decorations in South East Asia are primarily for marketing and selling products, IMO. Making money. I'm not a Christian, BTW, but an agnostic. I see "Christmas Sales." Christmas is not a religious holiday but a pagan one, anyway. Mostly a form of cultural tradition. I do get together with family back in the U.S. but I don't do anything special in Asia. I was recently invited to a special (and expensive) Christmas dinner at a hotel and I declined. So, my point is: I think Christmas is over-hyped, and used to perpetuate mass consumption. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevykanteve Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Thailand Public Holidays 2007 January 01: New Year's Day January 02: in lieu February 18-19: Chinese New Year March 03: Makha Bucha day March 05: in lieu April 06: Chakri Day April 13-17: Songkran - Thai New Year May 01: Labour Day May 05: Coronation Day May 07: in lieu May 31: Visakha Bucha Day July 29: Asanha Bucha Day July 30: Buddhist Lent Day July 31: in lieu August 12: Queen's Birthday August 13: in lieu October 23: Chulalongkorn Day October 26: End of Buddhist Lent November 24: Loy Kratong December 05: King's Birthday December 10: Constitution Day December 25: Christmas Day December 31: New Year's Eve Thailand must have the record for public holidays. I take your point. Compare 2007 to 2006 for Public Holidays as posted on ThaiVisa. There are (as I recall) about 4-5 more Public Holidays this year. Everytime a new government (or in the present case, 'ruling scenario') gets into power, the immediate thought would appear to be to placate the masses with a few more holidays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevykanteve Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 (edited) I forgot to mention that Christmas was NOT on the list of ThaiVisa's Pubic Holidays for 2006, but is so-listed for 2007. Is it really a Public Holiday or not???? Or did Santa surreptitiously post that holiday schedule? Yes, I suspect that is what happened. Well, Merry Christmas, Santa! Edited December 15, 2007 by chevykanteve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEFLMike Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 The 24th and 25th Decemebr are not showing as holiday's on the school calendar I have. The 31st and the 1st of January are. School as normal over Christmas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Its good for tourism revenues. Room rate holiday surcharges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevykanteve Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Now I get it, finally. Dumb me! Santa = George. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Fuddled Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 (edited) Thailand Public Holidays 2007 January 01: New Year's Day January 02: in lieu February 18-19: Chinese New Year March 03: Makha Bucha day March 05: in lieu April 06: Chakri Day April 13-17: Songkran - Thai New Year May 01: Labour Day May 05: Coronation Day May 07: in lieu May 31: Visakha Bucha Day July 29: Asanha Bucha Day July 30: Buddhist Lent Day July 31: in lieu August 12: Queen's Birthday August 13: in lieu October 23: Chulalongkorn Day October 26: End of Buddhist Lent November 24: Loy Kratong December 05: King's Birthday December 10: Constitution Day December 25: Christmas Day December 31: New Year's Eve Thailand must have the record for public holidays. They seem to have a different definition of 'public holiday' from America. I may be wrong, but I've never known any schools to be closed nor businesses to be shut down on Chinese New Year nor Loy Kratong Day. I teach at a government school and we have classes on both December 25 and January 1. Edited to change the preposition after different to appease the grammar police Edited December 15, 2007 by B Fuddled Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevykanteve Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Thailand Public Holidays 2007 January 01: New Year's Day January 02: in lieu February 18-19: Chinese New Year March 03: Makha Bucha day March 05: in lieu April 06: Chakri Day April 13-17: Songkran - Thai New Year May 01: Labour Day May 05: Coronation Day May 07: in lieu May 31: Visakha Bucha Day July 29: Asanha Bucha Day July 30: Buddhist Lent Day July 31: in lieu August 12: Queen's Birthday August 13: in lieu October 23: Chulalongkorn Day October 26: End of Buddhist Lent November 24: Loy Kratong December 05: King's Birthday December 10: Constitution Day December 25: Christmas Day December 31: New Year's Eve Thailand must have the record for public holidays. They seem to have a different definition of 'public holiday' than we do. I may be wrong, but I've never known any schools to be closed or businesses to be shut down on Chinese New Year nor Loy Kratong Day. I teach at a government school and we have classes on both December 25 and January 1. You are not wrong. True: December 10 was Constitution Day and was in fact a (real) holiday. But December 25 --not listed as a holiday last year, but listed as such this year-- has me equally confused. "Public holiday" should mean yoot ratchakarn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave111223 Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 (edited) My wife loves Christmas; she always has lots of family members over, has lots of food and lots of presents. Family, Friends, Presents and lots of food; whats not to love Too many skinflints around worrying about that they might actually have go shopping for someone other than themselves! Classic cheapskate quote "Xmas is just kept alive by big corporations to steal your money"; used to take the focus off them keeping their wallet firmly in their pocket. Edited December 15, 2007 by dave111223 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEFLMike Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Thailand Public Holidays 2007 January 01: New Year's Day January 02: in lieu February 18-19: Chinese New Year March 03: Makha Bucha day March 05: in lieu April 06: Chakri Day April 13-17: Songkran - Thai New Year May 01: Labour Day May 05: Coronation Day May 07: in lieu May 31: Visakha Bucha Day July 29: Asanha Bucha Day July 30: Buddhist Lent Day July 31: in lieu August 12: Queen's Birthday August 13: in lieu October 23: Chulalongkorn Day October 26: End of Buddhist Lent November 24: Loy Kratong December 05: King's Birthday December 10: Constitution Day December 25: Christmas Day December 31: New Year's Eve Thailand must have the record for public holidays. They seem to have a different definition of 'public holiday' from America. I may be wrong, but I've never known any schools to be closed nor businesses to be shut down on Chinese New Year nor Loy Kratong Day. I teach at a government school and we have classes on both December 25 and January 1. Edited to change the preposition after different to appease the grammar police The following is a copy of my school's official holiday dates>>> January 1st New Year's Day February 21st Makha Bucha Day April 7th Chakri Day (Substitution Day) April 14th Songkran Festival April 15th Songkran Festival May 1st National Labour Day May 5th Coronation Day May 19th Visakha Bucha Day July 1st Mid Year Closing Day July 17th Asarnha Bucha Day August 12th H.M. the Queen's Birthday October 23rd Chulalongkorn Day December 5th H.M. the King's Birthday December 10th Constitution Day December 31st New Year 's Eve. I do believe that public schools' may differ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEFLMike Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Thailand Public Holidays 2007 January 01: New Year's Day January 02: in lieu February 18-19: Chinese New Year March 03: Makha Bucha day March 05: in lieu April 06: Chakri Day April 13-17: Songkran - Thai New Year May 01: Labour Day May 05: Coronation Day May 07: in lieu May 31: Visakha Bucha Day July 29: Asanha Bucha Day July 30: Buddhist Lent Day July 31: in lieu August 12: Queen's Birthday August 13: in lieu October 23: Chulalongkorn Day October 26: End of Buddhist Lent November 24: Loy Kratong December 05: King's Birthday December 10: Constitution Day December 25: Christmas Day December 31: New Year's Eve Thailand must have the record for public holidays. They seem to have a different definition of 'public holiday' from America. I may be wrong, but I've never known any schools to be closed nor businesses to be shut down on Chinese New Year nor Loy Kratong Day. I teach at a government school and we have classes on both December 25 and January 1. Edited to change the preposition after different to appease the grammar police The following is a copy of my school's official holiday dates>>> January 1st New Year's Day February 21st Makha Bucha Day April 7th Chakri Day (Substitution Day) April 14th Songkran Festival April 15th Songkran Festival May 1st National Labour Day May 5th Coronation Day May 19th Visakha Bucha Day July 1st Mid Year Closing Day July 17th Asarnha Bucha Day August 12th H.M. the Queen's Birthday October 23rd Chulalongkorn Day December 5th H.M. the King's Birthday December 10th Constitution Day December 31st New Year 's Eve. I do believe that public schools' may differ. Ever so sorry, I meant to type 'International schools/private schools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westerner Posted December 15, 2007 Author Share Posted December 15, 2007 I've been out and about this morning and have noticed Christmas decorations going up everywhere in this predominantly Buddhist Country. How lovely this is when you consider some Christian Countries are trying to ban Christmas because it's not bloody 'politically correct'. I think that Christmas is way over done in Buddhist countries. The Christmas decorations in South East Asia are primarily for marketing and selling products, IMO. Making money. I'm not a Christian, BTW, but an agnostic. I see "Christmas Sales." Christmas is not a religious holiday but a pagan one, anyway. Mostly a form of cultural tradition. I do get together with family back in the U.S. but I don't do anything special in Asia. I was recently invited to a special (and expensive) Christmas dinner at a hotel and I declined. So, my point is: I think Christmas is over-hyped, and used to perpetuate mass consumption. Me too, but I still like to see Santa and his reindeers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kangeroo Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Oh NO!! the dreaded christmas!I am glad to escape the incessant carols, adverts and the mugging of parents, grandparents and others. Bliss to be here and not have it rammed down your throat. But its wonderfull how you will only have 60 or if your lucky 80 years to enjoy it and you will be gone forever . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westerner Posted December 15, 2007 Author Share Posted December 15, 2007 Now I get it, finally. Dumb me! Santa = George. I must be VERY dumb because I don't get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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