drlove Posted December 18, 2004 Report Share Posted December 18, 2004 I'm baffled by the concept of Christmas in a Buddhist country. I see that many of the malls get tricked out with decorations. Xmas is not a real holiday here - it's a regular work day. I can't believe the malls are decorated only for the foreigners. I can believe that Wan Kiis-mas has been seized as a marketing opportunity and somehow the concept of xmas (without Jesus and all that) has been promoted to the point that some middle-class Thai's actually have xmas trees (artificial) and exchange presents. Is that true? I don't know any middle-class Thais, but some of my Issan friends are going home. Maybe that's coincidence. What is going on?? I heard "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" the other day as I was walking in the scorching heat. That was funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJsushi Posted December 18, 2004 Report Share Posted December 18, 2004 Xmas is just another reason to have sanuk for Thais as well as women with farang partners to get nice gifts. Commercialization is a beautiful thing, it transcends all cultures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 18, 2004 Report Share Posted December 18, 2004 According to most authorities, Christmas is not a Christian holiday but an ancient pagan holiday. As for the birth of the Christ, some authorities believe Jesus was born in the Fall and a few believe he was born in the Spring. I have seen no authorities with any kind of credentials that say Jesus was born in December. What I like in Thailand is watching the Thai mothers snuggle up to Santa while their off spring sits on Santa's lap. In one aspect, the east and the west are the same as far as this goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sukhumvit Posted December 18, 2004 Report Share Posted December 18, 2004 Ah but the authorities who say Christ was born in the autumn and those who say he was born in the spring, have you seen their credentials? I too have seen no credentials that say he was born in December. Come, spilleth the beans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
follies Posted December 18, 2004 Report Share Posted December 18, 2004 Even if it's an ancient pagan holiday, what's that to do with the topic of the original post? Likewise for Jesus' birthdate (in fact, even more so...) :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted December 18, 2004 Report Share Posted December 18, 2004 O.k. riddle me this then, if the calander starts with the birth of Jesus (if he did in fact really exist), then why is new year's day a week later? shouldn't it be the same day as the birth of Christ? And why do so many christian holidays mimic holidays in other cultures? occurring around the same time etc...? like wise Muslim and Jewish holidays around the same times... I suspect some of it has to do with who conquered who, and not wanting to upset the apple cart to much holiday wise...but what do I know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCgringo Posted December 18, 2004 Report Share Posted December 18, 2004 " What I like in Thailand is watching the Thai mothers snuggle up to Santa while their off spring sits on Santa's lap. In one aspect, the east and the west are the same as far as this goes." That was not Santa ! that was Old Hippie trying to have a "Merry Christmas" and a snuggle OC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted December 18, 2004 Report Share Posted December 18, 2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted December 18, 2004 Report Share Posted December 18, 2004 Hi, Guys, can we keep this on topic (Thais & XMas)? As for Thais erecting trees, seeing the amount of stuff on sale in Carre Four et al, I would not at all be surprised. Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 18, 2004 Report Share Posted December 18, 2004 Xmas is just another reason for a party, hence the Thai's like it. It's fairly simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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