I came back home this evening, about 11 p.m., to find the Soi blocked by cars. The drivers were good and quick enough to move them to let me back into the house.

As I drove onto the drive I saw a large group of Thai people outside one house nearby. Some were holding candles, others wearing red & white 'santa hats' and all were singing, in Thai - or some language other than English.

Initially I thought of a group of carol singers, yet surely that is not done here? [Though I am waiting to be put right on that ]

Any ideas on what they were doing?

Nice post!

You tinka everbadi knowla werra you staya.

Your soi must be our soi too, na.

MC

there are carol singers in thailand.....but they usually do their rounds on xmas eve.

my mother in law is a christian thai , and years ago belonged to one of the churches in bangkok , and even though she hasnt attended for many many years , the carol singers turn up outside the house every year late on xmas eve and sing for about 10 minutes before moving on to the next christian house in the neighbourhood.

although a full blown bah humbug atheist myself , i was quite moved the first time i heard the singers , distant memories of school , snow , childhood , charles dickens and blighty all came flooding back.

there are carol singers in thailand.....but they usually do their rounds on xmas eve.

my mother in law is a christian thai , and years ago belonged to one of the churches in bangkok , and even though she hasnt attended for many many years , the carol singers turn up outside the house every year late on xmas eve and sing for about 10 minutes before moving on to the next christian house in the neighbourhood.

although a full blown bah humbug atheist myself , i was quite moved the first time i heard the singers , distant memories of school , snow , childhood , charles dickens and blighty all came flooding back.

You are a full blown atheist,and a member of the "hang em high Brigade" and your where quit moved when you hear those singers maybe after all there is still hope for you.

probably they were carol singers practicing or a birthday party with a seasonal theme - ask tomorrow the neighbours

If they were walking around house (if there is such and access path) it sounds like a house blessing, calm the spirits type of thing, done before people move in / just after completion.

It's called "W/Ven-te-een" I believe, also carried out at Wats during the annual blessing, late October I think was the last one I went to.

I would guess the santa hats were seen as a fancy idea, I see that they are very cheap when sold at the wholesales outlets.

It does seem early for carol singers, but you never know. The idea of the Christians going from house to house in Thailand has a strange appeal.

The house blessing sounds a bit more like it. Seemed a bit late for such a ceremony though. Yet again, they do start and end some ceremonies very early / late. I'll try and find out from the neighbours when I see them.

Thanks for the input