As you peruse these pictures and two-minute video of the holiday decorations around town, just keep repeating this mantra to yourself:
“It’s a predominately Buddhist nation… It’s a predominately Buddhist nation…”
Sure, you may find that really hard to believe given the huge quantity of Christmas ornamentation, but that’s just as much a testament to the commercialisation of Christmas than any conversion of the Thai populace to a new faith.
Above, the Central Chidlom department store on Phloenchit Road. Below, Central World Plaza on the corner of Rama I and Ratchaprop Roads.
Here’s a little video, set to cheerful music by Nat King Cole, to help you enjoy the sights of the season here in the wintry Big Mango:
christao408 
wow that’s so festive! thanks for sharing…..
I’m always amazed by the different varieties of lighting decorations for each shopping mall, each trying to outdo the competition! Very nice video!
The Thais sure do Christmas well for a Buddhist nation. Thank you – that was just beautiful. V
Wonderful video as the music added a festive dimension. You are multi-talented, Chris, great job.
Wow! The video was perfect with the music. Truly shows the extent of commercialization of festivals.
wish i could go there for christmas one of these years!
I like one commet from here……Commercialization of the Festivals….. haahhaha and it’s all over the world……anyway at least it is time for us to celebrate…
That’s amazing that there is so much Christmas decoration for a Buddhist country. I love that blue tree in the second picture. It’s gorgeous!
It’s very beautiful but I’m not surprised to see the globalization of capitalism.
And that’s my fav time of the year in Bangkok…
awesome!!!
Things are always prettier in Asia for Christmas
Like I said before, some of the best christmas decorations I ever saw, were in Thailand Hongkong and Singapore. What do you mean wintry Big Mango…..your temperature going down below 80F? It has been snowing here all night and day. Looks pretty, but then I made the mistake of going to the Rotary Club meeting. Good thing the Benz has tires that can hug the road well.
@ZSA_MD – As I write this at 6:30 am, it is 68 degrees and a light breeze. (20 C for the rest of the world.) It is truly wintry. Ha ha…
@XXKimPossibleXX – @curry69curry – @venice – @stevew918 – @Dezinerdreams – @yang1815 – Glad you enjoyed the entry!
@generasianx – It is fun to spend a familiar holiday in a place that “celebrates” it in an unusual way. Plus the weather is quite nice this time of year.
@TheCheshireGrins – Props to Central World Plaza. This is the closest thing we have a to a “town square” and they really went all out.
@agmhkg – @tdaojensen – Yeah, I’m sure if you stopped the average Thai and asked about the meaning of all these decorations, they’d be hard-pressed to explain. But then, I suspect the average westerner or Christian might have a hard time relating reindeer to the birth of Christ, too!
@Wangium – They certainly go all out, don’t they?
@blue_beau – I agree. It is a wonderful time to be here. Such nice weather.
A Sparkly Christmas to us all!
show off.! I envy you any way.
ooh I love the snowflakes ❤
@ZSA_MD – He he…
WOW it’s super pretty!!