Christmas in Thailand, unlike New Year’s Eve, is not a national holiday. Regardless, there are various ways to celebrate Christmas in Thailand while avoiding the cold back home.
Thailand is largely a Buddhist country. Yet, despite the presence of a small Christian minority, much of the holiday celebrations are secular. Very few Thai households decorate their homes or exchange gifts on Christmas.
The commercial appeal of Christmas is, unsurprisingly, too much for Thailand’s many large malls to resist. With shopping, lights, and decorated trees, they join in on the holiday spirit. If you’re looking for Santa, you can even locate him in Thailand!
Christmas Decorations in Thailand – Bangkok
In preparation for Christmas, every major mall in the city will be decorating the halls (and the exterior). Make a walking tour of some of Bangkok’s best-decorated commercial malls in central Bangkok. Many are present in the Sukhumvit district and are barely a Skytrain station or two apart. You can also go for a stroll—you won’t get cold in Bangkok!
Amarin Plaza is on the Phloen Chit Road near the Chitlom BTS station. It is one of many shopping centers with decorations for the holidays. Lights, Christmas trees, and other classic holiday animals and scenery adorn the plazas of Siam Paragon, Center, and Discovery (all just a few Skytrain stops away). The MBK Center, which is a short walk from the other malls, is also popular for its indoor and outdoor Christmas displays.
IconSIAM, Bangkok’s newest premium riverfront mall, is sure to have a spectacular Christmas show.
Enjoy Festivities at Asiatique
Just south of Chinatown is Asiatique, a big outdoor entertainment facility on the river. Despite the fact that the bazaar is always wonderfully lit up, there is a Christmas spirit despite the fact that the temperature is in the 80s Fahrenheit.
The city’s largest Ferris wheel, eating, a mid-priced retail complex, and other entertainment alternatives are all waiting for you. For a double dose of outdoor lights, go to Asiatique and then take a river taxi to IconSIAM.
Have a Sumptuous Christmas Dinner
While cooking may not be an option while in Bangkok, don’t worry! Whatever your need, Bangkok will have a restaurant to meet it. On Christmas, you do not have to eat Thai noodles.
Many of the city’s five-star hotels host gala dinners and unique Christmas Buffets. The popular ones are The Peninsula and the Mandarin, as well as other posh hotels in Silom. If you do not prefer gourmet dining, some of the city’s pubs host holiday dinners. These are considerably more relaxing and draw local expats. The atmosphere may not be typical of an “American” Christmas. But yet, you can enjoy delicious food and companionship with individuals who are also away from home for the holidays.
Go For Ice Skating
One of the city’s few public skating rinks is in CentralWorld, a major shopping mall in the Ratchaprasong neighborhood. The glittering blue lights in the trees extend a beautiful touch to the rink, despite its small size. In Bangkok, ice skating is a somewhat rare alternative.
Because of the massive Christmas tree in the front plaza, your skating will feel more holiday-themed (the largest in the city). Next door, there’s also an open-air beer garden.
Inside CentralWorld, there are plenty of Christmas decorations to see, including another enormous Christmas exhibit in the mall’s seven-story atrium.
The Rink is located on the second floor of CentralWorld on Rama I Road.
Meet Santa in Bangkok
You’ll undoubtedly want to find Santa if you have children (or feel like a big kid) and are enjoying Christmas in Bangkok. The good news is that he visits Southeast Asia each year and can be seen at a variety of family and children’s activities.
The Christmas market within K Village is one of the sites in Bangkok where you may find Santa (Sukhumvit Soi 26). The Nameebooks Learning Center is another alternative (Sukhumvit Soi 31).
Santa is frequently seen at the city’s larger, high-end malls, but phone ahead or check their websites to confirm when he will be there. Weekend afternoons are often safe bets.
Enjoy Christmas Shopping
Shopping is one Christmas pastime that Bangkok excels at all year. Almost every major retailer in Thailand will be conducting promotions and holiday deals during December, making Christmas a wonderful time to get a bargain.
Gift-wrapping services are available at almost every mall. If you’re taking gifts home and don’t want customs officials to see what’s inside, the gift wrappers can leave one side uncovered so the contents can be examined without destroying the wrapping job.
The Chatuchak Weekend Market is a more chaotic but fun place to shop. It’s one of the world’s largest open-air markets. It displays Thai silks, handicrafts, apparel, and a variety of other easy-to-carry products that make great gifts.
Cherish the Flowers at Pak Khlong Talat
Appreciating exotic plants and flowers may not be a common Christmas habit. Yet, the pleasant scents of hundreds of blossoms can provide a memorable holiday memory. The ambiance alone is worth the visit, but there are also areas to dine, sit, and drink coffee.
The Pak Khlong Flower Market, which is immediately at the south of the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. It is a maze of magnificent sights and fragrances. The most important flower market in Bangkok is popular with locals. Moreover, it is open 24 hours a day. When buyers from hotels and restaurants arrive in force, go as early as possible to watch it in full flow. However, go for it before dawn if you’re driven enough.
Explore the White Christmas
What better way to torment friends and coworkers who are stuck at home during the holidays? In Thailand, it’s simple to find shareable, envy-inducing photographs of the blue sea. Near Bangkok, there are a few good beaches and islands, many of which may be reached in a few hours by car or bus. Put your toes in the sand and experience a new sort of white Christmas!
Beaches aren’t the only places to visit for a quick break from the city while in Bangkok for Christmas.
If you are in Thailand or planning to fly to Thailand for Christmas celebrations, go to Bangkok. You will enjoy the season’s best times with great hospitality and courtesy from Thai inhabitants.
After the season’s celebrations, if you are planning to do establish any business or get a work permit in Thailand, we will help. Email us at [email protected] for our support and relevant services as per your need.
