If you are celebrating Christmas in Bangkok for the first time, you might feel a little off seeing how December 25 is being treated just a normal day in most places and establishments. It shouldn’t come as a surprise though considering that Thailand is a Buddhist country.
No fanfare and just a handful of Christmas features and not a single Yuletide article (as of press time) posted on major news websites. Aside from the “Simbang Gabi” and church and school activities, how do Filipinos in Thailand celebrate Christmas?
Here are how some of our kababayan in Thailand celebrate their Christmas.
Because some schools are giving their teachers’ salary earlier this month, a dinner with family on Christmas Eve is a must for teacher and Traveliciouz admin Melody Rafael. “Nagpa dinner si Bossing dahil maaga ang sweldo.. happy holidays everyone. -From the 5 of us to yours..”
Christmas with friends: Celebrating Christmas with Filipino office mates and friends. This group rented an exclusive villa in Bangkok just in time for Christmas.
It’s travel time for PinoyThaiyo contributor and travel vlogger Marventures. “It’s the season for giving and receiving. One of the best gifts for me to receive is spending it on an adventure. Today I can cross off my bucket list that I’ve biked in Khao Yai National Park with several families of monkeys and deer. I did spot a small Guinea fowl. Here are some highlights of my 12k morning bike ride. Merry Christmas to you all! God bless!”
UZICC Phitsanulok Christmas Party, December 24. UZICC stands for the Unshakable Zion International Christian Church.
OFW Christmas for Rodelyn Virador and friends having their noche buena at McDonalds. “Thank you McDonalds for hosting our Noche Buena. Hectic sched: no time to prepare at home.”
Going out with friends on New Year’s Eve is the best way to celebrate Christmas 2019 for Cebuana teacher, Rachelle Estrada who has been working in Thailand for 12 years. “Wishing you a season filled with joy, peace and happiness! Merry Christmas everyone!! To my family kamo lang sa pag party absent sako bawi next time.”
Typical office workday for textile executive and ALSE Bangkok Secretariat Sonia Zerrudo. “Today was still a work day in Bangkok. Can’t remember having to work on the 24th. I guess because I have always taken this day off or have travelled with family. This year I decided to spend it in Bangkok but will fly to Manila on the 26th to usher in the New Year in Baguio. Glad that I could attend the 17:30 pm Mass at the Holy Redeemer. And see some familiar faces! Rejoice Rejoice!”
Dining in with officemates at Happy Bee Filipino Restaurant in Bangkok.
PinoyThaiyo legal contributor and bachelor Joe Medina Smith indulged Christmas dinner with officemates. “We had our Christmas dinner at Asiatique before the long holiday. We are so thankful for the year 2019 especially for the teamwork and success. We have been giving importance to everyone’s effort to deliver the best legal service for our clients. We have handled mostly the most difficult litigation cases and immigration cases and all became very successful. This year 2019 was full of blessings.”
It’s indeed a quieter Christmas for many Filipinos; they maybe in school teaching today but their hearts are surely with their families back home in the Philippines.
Are you done celebrating Christmas or just warming up for this evening’s fabulous party? Share your #Christmas2019 in Thailand experience with PinoyThaiyo.