01 Dec. 2023

Are you planning to spend Christmas in Thailand? How do people celebrate Christmas in Thailand? What are the advantages of spending Christmas in the Kingdom of Siam? Which destinations offer the magic of Christmas and which are best for a real escape? Discover our complete guide to celebrating Christmas in Thailand.

Is Christmas Celebrated in Thailand? Christmas in Thailand: How to Celebrate Christmas in the Sun?

Do Thai People Celebrate Christmas?

Thailand is predominantly Buddhist. According to the latest estimates from 2018, Buddhism is practiced by approximately 93.46% of Thai people, followed by Islam (just over 5.37%), Christianity (1.13%), and Hinduism and Sikhism (0.18%).

In total, there are 767,624 Christians. Since Christmas is a Christian holiday, only Christian communities celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

A Commercial Celebration Above All

December 25th is not a public holiday in Thailand. Since Christmas is only celebrated by a small community and by Westerners (expatriates or vacationers), it is above all a commercial celebration.

Indeed, the main Christmas-related events are organized mainly by large department stores (particularly in Bangkok malls such as Central World and Siam Paragorn), hotels, and main streets and certain public spaces (such as the BTS metro). It is mainly through these different places that the festive spirit of Christmas is found: Christmas trees, garlands and other extravagant decorations, Christmas music...

You understand, only major cities like Bangkok and tourist destinations don the colors of Christmas as the year draws to a close. It is worth noting that certain celebrations take place in cities with the largest Thai Christian communities (see below).

Where to Celebrate Christmas in Thailand? Christmas in Thailand: How to Celebrate Christmas in the Sun?

The Ideal Destinations to Experience the Magic of Christmas in Thailand

Would you like to celebrate Christmas in Thailand and are you looking for a place where you can experience the magic of Christmas? Here are 2 Thai cities to celebrate Christmas in the spirit of tradition:

• Chanthaburi: this is where you'll find the largest community of Thai Christians. Located in the east-central part of the country, close to the Cambodian border, the city hosts Thailand's largest Christmas festival. On the program: sound and light shows on the famous Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Christmas carols, fireworks...
• Ban Tha Rae: located in the northeast of the country, in the sublime Isan region, Ban Tha Rae is a small village that is home to a significant Christian community. Every year, the city organizes the Christmas Star Parade. A few days before Christmas, parades take place in the village. On Christmas Day, a larger parade, bringing together more than 200 decorated and illuminated floats, is held in the city of Sakon Nakhon.

Destinations to Celebrate Christmas with Your Feet in the Water

You're not religious or you simply feel like breaking with tradition? Why not celebrate Christmas with your feet in the water on one of Thailand's southern islands? Exchange coats for swimsuits, snowmen for sandcastles, and Christmas trees for palm trees! Thai islands will be perfect for escaping the winter cold and experiencing a paradise Christmas...

Among the most beautiful islands and coastal towns to spend Christmas, we recommend:

• Phuket,
• Krabi,
• Koh Lanta,
• Koh Phi Phi,
• Koh Lipe,
• Koh Chang,
• Koh Kood,
• Koh Samui,
• Koh Phangan,
• Koh Tao...

Note: since these towns are tourist destinations, you'll still find some decorations and activities there, such as Christmas markets.

Not sure which to choose? (Re)discover our article to find out which island to choose on a trip to Thailand.

Why Celebrate Christmas in Thailand? Christmas in Thailand: How to Celebrate Christmas in the Sun?

To Spend the End of Year in the Sunshine

Do you want to escape the winter cold? Spending Christmas in Thailand is an opportunity to enjoy sunshine and warmth, as December marks the beginning of the dry and warm season. Perfect for lounging on Thailand's most beautiful beaches and sipping a cocktail with your feet in the sand watching the sunset before trading midnight mass for a midnight swim... Sounds dreamy, doesn't it?

To Enjoy Unique Activities and Experience an Unconventional Christmas

Organizing your year-end vacation in Thailand also means taking advantage of a multitude of unusual activities. Whether you're with family, as a couple, or with friends, here are our wildest ideas for spending an offbeat Christmas in Thailand:

• Dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River to spend Christmas Eve on the water;
• Trek and sleep in the jungle in northern Thailand, in the Pai region or around Chiang Mai;
• Spend a day caring for elephants at one of the country's eco-responsible sanctuaries;
• Go diving at one of Thailand's best diving spots;
• Treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage on the beach to unwind;
• Party at the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan Island;
• Attend a Muay Thai fight at one of Thailand's top boxing stadiums;
• Have fun as a family at one of the country's amusement parks like Dream World or Siam Park City...

To Taste New Flavors

Do you feel like breaking with convention by trading the traditional Christmas dinner for something more exotic? You've come to the right place! Thai cuisine is renowned as one of the world's best cuisines. Replace the foie gras, salmon, Christmas turkey and Yule log with delicious Thai dishes bursting with color and flavor!

Among the emblematic dishes of Thailand to try during your visit, we can mention:

• Som Tam (spicy green papaya salad),
• Tom Kha (soup made with coconut milk and galangal),
• Panang curry (red Thai curry),
• Massaman (mild curry with peanuts),
• Mango sticky rice (glutinous rice with coconut milk and mangoes)...

Good to know: many hotels and restaurants offer special Christmas menus to delight travelers.

To Get Original and Handcrafted Gifts

Like all countries in the world, Thailand has unique craftsmanship. An opportunity to bring back souvenirs from Thailand and give original and unexpected Christmas gifts to all your loved ones.

Among Thai artisanal specialties, you'll find:

• Sarongs, traditional Thai clothing;
• Silk garments;
• Clothing and household linens made using batik technique;
• Objects woven from rattan or wicker,
• Bamboo objects;
• Wood carvings;
• Ceramic tableware;
• Silver jewelry;
• Umbrellas...

Each region has its own specialties: you'll find, for example, umbrellas in Chiang Mai, particularly in the village of Bo Sang, or the famous Benjarong porcelain in Samut Sakhon province.

So, ready to celebrate Christmas under the Thai sunshine?

Florine Dergelet

Florine Dergelet

A web writer for over 10 years, Florine Dergelet is a traveler driven by the desire to discover the world with an open heart. Each of her articles is an invitation to slow down, to listen, to understand. Because for her, traveling is not about ticking countries off a map, but weaving connections (often invisible but always powerful) with places, peoples and all kinds of creatures in the animal kingdom. Her motto? Advise travelers with ethics, raise their awareness about animal welfare, respect for cultures, and the importance of humble and sustainable tourism. Because the most beautiful memories are often born far from the spotlight, in the shade of a trail, at the edge of a conversation, or in the quiet breath of a world that we finally take time to listen to…