With just a minority number of the population being Christian, Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist nation meaning that Christmas is not an officially observed holiday here. However, as we all know, to observe and love Christmas, you don't have to be purely religious, those of us from Europe and the States would just have grown up with it as a festival, family event of festivities and sharing of presents, sweets, beverages and merriment! Thailand has adopted some parts of Christmas and it’s very normal to see decorations, even at Thong Sala pier they have decorated with festive lights for Christmas and to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
You would typically find yourself in one of two groups if you find yourself on Koh Phangan at Christmas time; you have come to avoid Christmas anyway so that you don't care or you feel a little nostalgic, homesick or really really enjoy Christmas and would like to do something!
This year is different, you either live here full time anyway or you have chosen to be here to stay away from the Covid pandemic in the rest of the world.
There are a few places and businesses that can support you or you can plan your very own 'tropical Crimbo' if you WOULD like to celebrate Christmas here.
Many restaurants here on the island are doing a 'Christmas Meal' so watch out for activities and make sure to get booked soon.
Will you like to do that yourself, perhaps? You can make your own meal to share with friends and relatives, or why not get a BBQ instead if you have a kitchen and even a little oven? In this heat, it could be more fitting.
There are lots of families putting on sweet events for the kids within the community to bring some of the magic here to the island. It’s a nice tradition and purely just a great excuse for us to take some time off and eat, drink and be merry. Everyone definitely deserves some celebration this year if anything right?!
Of course, this being party island, even in these strange quiet times, the island has many Christmas events to choose from. Retro Mountain is holding a Latino Festival on December 26th so you can dance off all the food from the previous day!
Whatever you’re doing, whether you’re celebrating or not, Merry Christmas from us at Phanganist!!
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