Thais explain what Christmas means to them

[webfact]

Thais explain what Christmas means to them
By Prae Sakaowan



Seriously, what’s with all the Christmas?

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok may be more international than the rest of overwhelmingly Buddhist Thailand, but that doesn’t explain the annual craze that takes hold for Santa sleighs, jingle bells and songs about the Christ.

No, we’ve definitely got our own Christmas fetish going on. Is it a love for basically any festival? The holiday’s modern emphasis on shopping and sales? Excitement about marginally less warm weather?

Instead of making guesses, we went out to Amarin Plaza and Central World to harass random strangers by interrupting their selfie sessions with one simple question: “What does Christmas mean to you?” We even got an answer from a 16th century king, or at least the actor who portrays him.

Here’s what they said.



“It’s a celebration of foreigners, but we’re all a part of the the world, and Thais should rejoice and celebrate with them.” — Col. Wanchana Sawasdee, 42, who plays the titular character in the “King Naresuan” series. [read more...]

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co//2014/12/24/thais-explain-what-christmas-means-them

-- Coconuts Bangkok 2014-12-24

[MrWorldwide]

A lot of the Thais interviewed seem to be 'excited about the cold weather' - at 22 deg C here in Pattaya, I'm not sure I'd describe it as particularly cold although the nights have definitely cooled right down. Beyond that, its the usual excuse for the shops to try to convince everyone - Thai and foreigner alike - that they should be giving one another presents. I suspect that Thai parents will be just as 'over' Xmas as Western parents have been for decades, although to their credit they dont seem to have the same aversion many of us have to spending a day with our relatives. I'm going to give some of my female associates English Mustard as I believe a gift should leave a lasting impression and that definitely fits the bill - other than that, a few 500-baht notes for the poor sods downstairs who've had to endure me for the past 8 months : I consider that an investment more than a gift, and the guys who work nights have definitely earnt it.

[Blackfish64]

Many Thai have asked me what is the correlation between Santa and Jesus Christ. Of course, there isn't any. Christmas is supposed to be the birth of Christ, but it isn't. This makes everything terribly confusing. But not to worry, because Westerners don't really understand what's going on either.

Christmas is just goofing off and nothing more. So go ahead and good off and enjoy it.

We always feel we need a good excuse to feel happy, alive, and kind toward one another. We don't. We can do that anytime, everyday. The good thing about Christmas is that some who are never inspired to be nice Will be nice on Christmas. That's something to look forward to.

Christmas is nonsense. Enjoy your nonsense!

[Morakot]

Many Thai have asked me what is the correlation between Santa and Jesus Christ. Of course, there isn't any. Christmas is supposed to be the birth of Christ, but it isn't. This makes everything terribly confusing. But not to worry, because Westerners don't really understand what's going on either.

Edited December 24, 2014 by Morakot

[daveAustin]

Many Thai have asked me what is the correlation between Santa and Jesus Christ. Of course, there isn't any.

There is, they're both fictitious. Sorry kids.

[Costas2008]

I'm not a church goer, but I respect my religion as I respect all other religions.

Many times I felt the mystique visiting a Thai Wat and admire the Thais for their belief in their religion.

Don't look at some incidents, look at the majority.

And the majority of Thais also respect other religions and at the same time they love anything to do with celebrations.

For them Christmas is fun and they will embrace anything that brings a smile in their face.

For me Christmas is not nonsense as said before......it's the birth of the man that his teachings have been followed by Trillions of people for the past 2014 years.

[Morakot]

Many Thai have asked me what is the correlation between Santa and Jesus Christ. Of course, there isn't any.

There is, they're both fictitious. Sorry kids.

Clearly you don't know your subject. Read here, for starters: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_Jesus

[marko kok prong]

Frankly i enjoy christmas in Thailand,without the absurd commercial hype that it has become in the west,no surprises in the article,being a Buddist country,what else would they think.

[Morakot]

Jesus was not born in a stable, says theologian

• Andrew Brown
• The Guardian, Tuesday 23 December 2014 19.14 GMT

The birth of Christ may be the most famous Bible story of all, reprised annually in nativity scenes across the world each Christmas: Jesus was born in a stable, because there was no room at the inn. But evangelical scholar Rev Ian Paul has argued that the entire story may be based on a misreading of the New Testament, reviving an ancient theory that Jesus was not, in fact, born in a stable.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/23/jesus-christ-not-born-in-stable-theologian-new-testament

[jacky54]

Not born in a separate stable but downstairs in the straw with the animals, guess that makes all the difference then

[Morakot]

Not born in a separate stable but downstairs in the straw with the animals, guess that makes all the difference then

Hmm, did you read the analysis part? I though he said not born outside alone, but in the midst of the family and attending relatives in a full house.

Edited December 24, 2014 by Morakot

[Squeegee]

Frankly i enjoy christmas in Thailand,without the absurd commercial hype that it has become in the west,no surprises in the article,being a Buddist country,what else would they think.

What are you talking about? Christmas in Thailand is nothing but absurd commercial hype. At least in the West there is an understanding of the spirit of Xmas, that doesn't have to be about religion and goes way way deeper than the stupid Coca Cola man that the Thais expect their farang teachers to clown dress up as.

[Jingthing]

I don't like Christmas here because Thais think just cause I have white skin I'm supposed to be celebrating it. I thought I could escape such inanity in non-Christian country but apparently not.

Sent from my Lenovo S820_ROW using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[mikemac]

I don't like Christmas here because Thais think just cause I have white skin I'm supposed to be celebrating it. I thought I could escape such inanity in non-Christian country but apparently not.

Sent from my Lenovo S820_ROW using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Apparently it is open to black people as well JT.

[timmyp]

I have Thai festivals listed on my Google calendar. It surprises that Christmas shows up. Obviously it's not a national holiday, but it is given recognition just like Chinese New Year. The Christian population in Thailand is less than 2%, but it gets a mention on the calendar. There is not a single mention of any Islamic holidays (Ramadan, Ead, etc.), although the Muslim population in Thailand is twice as high as the Christian population at 3-4%.

Japan has about the same percentage of Christians as Thailand, and even though Japan has really embraced their own (slightly odd) interpretation of Christmas. they still didn't mention it on their national calendar! It's weird to me that Christmas would be given such acknowledgement on such a national level over other traditional festivals.

[klauskunkel]

Jesus was not born in a stable, says theologian

• Andrew Brown
• The Guardian, Tuesday 23 December 2014 19.14 GMT

The birth of Christ may be the most famous Bible story of all, reprised annually in nativity scenes across the world each Christmas: Jesus was born in a stable, because there was no room at the inn. But evangelical scholar Rev Ian Paul has argued that the entire story may be based on a misreading of the New Testament, reviving an ancient theory that Jesus was not, in fact, born in a stable.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/23/jesus-christ-not-born-in-stable-theologian-new-testament

As long as he wasn't born in a 7 Eleven shop..., that I could not bear!

[watcharacters]

.

Sorry but as i've explained to the Missus, Xmas is not a Thai holiday.

It has nothing to do with Thailand or if it does, I'll start dealing with Thailand differently.

Can expat posters on this board please come to grips.?

[Jingthing]

I don't like Christmas here because Thais think just cause I have white skin I'm supposed to be celebrating it. I thought I could escape such inanity in non-Christian country but apparently not.

Sent from my Lenovo S820_ROW using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Apparently it is open to black people as well JT.

Leave the Dutch out of this!

Sent from my Lenovo S820_ROW using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ubonjoe]

A inflammatory post and replies to it has been removed.

[maidee]

santa claus for thais ..

well that is the walking ATM that married one in their family

hope he will be spreading the good banknotes for everybody

[brewsterbudgen]

Thais love a celebration so it's delightful to see them embracing the festive spirit.

[kingalfred]

Many Thai have asked me what is the correlation between Santa and Jesus Christ. Of course, there isn't any. Christmas is supposed to be the birth of Christ, but it isn't. This makes everything terribly confusing. But not to worry, because Westerners don't really understand what's going on either.

Christmas is just goofing off and nothing more. So go ahead and good off and enjoy it.

We always feel we need a good excuse to feel happy, alive, and kind toward one another. We don't. We can do that anytime, everyday. The good thing about Christmas is that some who are never inspired to be nice Will be nice on Christmas. That's something to look forward to.

Christmas is nonsense. Enjoy your nonsense!

alot of "opinions" dressed up in wrapping paper as "facts".

[Neeranam]

I don't like Christmas here because Thais think just cause I have white skin I'm supposed to be celebrating it. I thought I could escape such inanity in non-Christian country but apparently not.

Sent from my Lenovo S820_ROW using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Strange, as Jesus didn't have white skin.

[mikemac]

Years ago my first wife asked me about the meaning of Klismas.

After about an hour of heated debate I had to take 2 Panadol and have a lie down.

We never broached the subject again.

[how241]

Thais love a celebration so it's delightful to see them embracing the festive spirit.

Yes, I see most all holidays celebrated here. Another reason for a party or to collect a gift.

[Mudcrab]

My Mrs will be spending her first Christmas in Oz.

She just asked me what will we do tomorrow.

I said we will go and see the daughter, her husband and the grandkids to give them presents, then come home and have a couple of friends over for a feed..

Her face dropped.

She wanted to go to the city (60k away) to see the huge parties.

I tried to explain that this doesn't happen...the place will be totally dead...no shops/pubs open etc.

Different cultural expectations I guess.

She has since cheered up knowing that New Years eve will be huge.

[samjaidee]

.

Sorry but as i've explained to the Missus, Xmas is not a Thai holiday.

It has nothing to do with Thailand or if it does, I'll start dealing with Thailand differently.

Can expat posters on this board please come to grips.?

Christmas is a holiday that has absolutely nothing to do with nationality.

If you're a Thai Christian then it is a holiday. (holiday is a combination of the two words holy and day) This is equally applicable to other "non-Christian" countries. The majority of people in the west are not practicing Christians yet they celebrate Christmas with gusto. Should they stop too?

Globalization has meant that Christmas as a commercial period has extended to almost every country. I guess this is the Xmas you're referring to. In many retail businesses in the UK 70% of their annual turnover is made in the six weeks before Christmas. If Thai retailers can persuade people to part with more money over the Christmas period then good luck to them.

Although I'm not a Christian, I do believe that the true Christmas message of peace and goodwill is is a message that can only benefit any society, regardless of which faith they follow.

Merry Christmas to all.

[Neeranam]

Jesus was not born in a stable, says theologian

• Andrew Brown
• The Guardian, Tuesday 23 December 2014 19.14 GMT

The birth of Christ may be the most famous Bible story of all, reprised annually in nativity scenes across the world each Christmas: Jesus was born in a stable, because there was no room at the inn. But evangelical scholar Rev Ian Paul has argued that the entire story may be based on a misreading of the New Testament, reviving an ancient theory that Jesus was not, in fact, born in a stable.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/23/jesus-christ-not-born-in-stable-theologian-new-testament

What about the star in the sky that led the 3 wise men? Don't tell me that was a mistranslation..

[timewilltell]

We are all part of the world even though it is a foreign traction, we should celebrate it with the. Get them all cosy we all love them and then screw them for all the money we can get our greedy selfish hands on. Merry Christmas Thai style!

[daveAustin]

Many Thai have asked me what is the correlation between Santa and Jesus Christ. Of course, there isn't any.

There is, they're both fictitious. Sorry kids.

Clearly you don't know your subject. Read here, for starters: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_Jesus

Oh gawd, never mind.