[lionsiy]

With The Majority Of Thai Peolpe Being Buddist Religion, Do They Celebrate Xmas Day Like Say The Christians Do? Or Is It Just Another Day Or Do They Celebrate Budda On A Different Day

[rusculture]

Christmas Day is just another day for Thais, however, New Years Eve-that is something different altogether-huge party!
Both New Years Eve and the next day are public holidays. Songkran is the nearest thing to Christmas for family gatherings, which is in April, and goes on for officially for 3 days. There is also Childrens Day, a weekend in January usually that is like Christmas for children only.

[lionsiy]

Songkran is the nearest thing to Christmas for family gatherings this is the water festival?

[rusculture]

Yes-but the water throwing is only the outward part of the festival-it is mainly a time of family gathering and feasting-Thais will try to get to their homes and families from all over the World and Thailand anyway possible at this time

[aparneioninny]

I didn't enjoy Christmas in Thailand. It was usually pretty dull and lonely for me. The only places you can find Christmas spirit is at the shopping malls, but it's feels fake.

[indartwm]

Thais are Budhist, majority are anyway. Best Christmas is in Germany because Luther was German. Songran would be the most memorable event in Thailand while Christmas is sort a blah and yes, it would feel fake since it's not really have any true meaning for Thais. I sympathize with you and hope that perhaps you could have a small memorable time at the church with your family and close friends this year.

[pharweqto]

With The Majority Of Thai Peolpe Being Buddist Religion, Do They Celebrate Xmas Day Like Say The Christians Do? Or Is It Just Another Day Or Do They Celebrate Budda On A Different Day

My daughter and I are planning on spending Christmas in Thailand this year. We are Christian. My mother and her family are not. My mother will celebrate it with us because she always did celebrate it with me.

It will be different. I don't expect it to be the same. I don't know if there is a church or other Christians who will be near us. But, that doesn't matter.

Much like Valentine's Day which was started by Pope Gelasius in 495 as an attempt to stop Christians from celebrating the Roman feast Lupercalia on Feb. 15th, Christmas was an attempt to stop Christians from celebrating a pagan holiday. December 25th is not even Jesus' birthday! There's is some debate as to when He was born.

So, I suppose you could say that Christmas anywhere is fake. However, my family celebrates Christmas because that is when the world chooses to celebrate Christ's birth. And, what's so bad about that?

I don't consider Christmas to be about Santa Claus or Christmas trees. In fact, I rarely put up a tree! Not because I'm against any root meaning. (No pun intended.)I just don't think it's necessary to celebrate Christ's birth. I'm not fond of artifical trees. We're usually traveling and can't water a real tree enough. Last thing I need is more work cleaning up dried needles. Knowing my mom, she will find a Charlie Brown looking tree and have my daughter help decorate it with homemade crafts.

What my daughter and I will probably do is spend some time by ourselves reading the Bible, singing some hymns, and praying. I might download a mpeg3 of a sermon appropriate for Christmas before we leave. Later, we'll open up some presents as a reminder of the gift of salvation given freely by Christ to those who accept it. And, as a family tradition, we'll sing happy birthday to Jesus with a cake and candles. If we don't have a cake, we'll substitute with another sweet dessert.

If I was alone in Thailand, I would try to seek out a church or travel to Bangkok for services. But, if you're looking for a yule log burning in the fireplace, eggnog in your mug, and heaps of presents under the Christmas tree, Thailand might not be the best place to spend Christmas.

Blessings,
Wendy

[rusculture]

You may find this list of churches in Phuket useful

[gechaheritt]

There is a "Merry Christmas" decoration in the next office to mine hanging permanently.... It's always Christmas in our building.

[lionsiy]

i agree with paul here, i think that christmas has become very commerialised with with shops even going so far as to start putting xmas items out for sale as early as just after easter. here in brisbane in october, some residents have even put up tinsel and lights on the outsides of there homes and trees already. xmas, i think still has a high significance as far as spending time with distant family members and friends and the religious aspect of it all is quickly being phased out by the over marketing of the bigger dept stores

[AngegepeM]

Just so you all know, the stores here (Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot etc.) are all setup for Christmas, with lights, trees, decorations etc. on sale and have been for several weeks!

[Mjyzpzph]

Just so you all know, the stores here (Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot etc.) are all setup for Christmas, with lights, trees, decorations etc. on sale and have been for several weeks!

Same here in Wales, including mince pies with 'use by' dates well before Christmas!!??

David

[Mjyzpzph]

I didn't enjoy Christmas in Thailand. It was usually pretty dull and lonely for me. The only places you can find Christmas spirit is at the shopping malls, but it's feels fake.

Christmas Day 2004 in DreamWorld (and New Year Eve there 12 months later) was more fun than any I've spent in Wales for a number of years.

David

[largonioulurI]

I'm an atheist and I still celebrate Christmas, as many people like my self don't feel there has been any religious significance in Christmas for many years, it's more of just a time for celebration being with friends and family, Thai shopping malls like to promote Christmas as a time of giving Christmas presents, well it is more of a low key giving ceremony in Thailand, rather than a religious ceremony.