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The Best Places to Do Christmas in Bangkok

It’s that time again – when all things festive and twinkly start to kick in.

And if you find yourself in foreign climes at this particular time of the year – more specifically Bangkok – you may well be wondering how the Christmas theme goes down here exactly. Or if indeed it even goes down at all.

But it does! Well, kind of.

The good news is – depending on how you feel about Christmas of course – there are plenty of places in and around the Thai capital that have quite a festive feel to them.

And if you are looking for a good Christmas dinner you won’t be disappointed, either.

Christmas is the time of the year in Bangkok when most of the city’s major hotels are usually close to or even at full capacity, and the impressive (and the impressive number of) shopping malls sparkle and dazzle with bright decorations and displays.

Many of these ever-impressive light displays have a Christmas theme to them and are usually accompanied by various events and (ahem) ‘promotions’

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

Shopping (along with eating), is not usually that far from pretty much everyone’s agenda in Bangkok, so expect the spectacular in some of these huge and modern complexes at any time of the year, least of all at Christmas time.

And ever exactly being the type to miss the opportunity of a party or a holiday (even though they don’t particularly celebrate Christmas for any traditional reasons), the Thais will delight in decorating Bangkok’s buildings, trees, and lamp posts etc., etc., with what might be considered Christmas lights, although some of these lights are also commonly seen on a variety of other festivals and occasions more related to Thai culture.

It’s even possible to catch the occasional tuk-tuk decked out with colourful, sparkling lights.

Wandering the streets of central Bangkok at Christmas time is definitely one of the best ways to get the full vibe of the season in the ever-humid SE Asian capital.

However, this also happens to be the time of year that most Thais feel they have been blessed with a ‘winter’ season, and although temperatures do tend to be lower in December compared to say, April – Thai summertime — it’s hardly what might be considered as winter weather for those from colder climes, with temperatures wavering somewhat between around 27 and 32 degrees.

Image sourced from creativecommons.org.

This is the season that many ‘beer gardens’, some with nightly live concerts, also pop up all over the city on rooftops of various buildings and usually somewhere within close proximity to a major mall throughout December, as the Thais somehow associate drinking beer outside with what they believe to be colder weather!.

So if you do want to experience Bangkok during Christmas, here are a few pointers towards some of the best places to do Christmas in Bangkok!

1. The Chao Phraya River

Going riverside in Bangkok is also popular during Christmas time. There are likely to be a fair few more floating restaurants and party boats than might usually be encountered, as they ferry diners and other types of party-goers up and down the Chao Phraya River throughout the day and the night.

Image by Preecha MJ sourced from wikimedia commons

So if you’re in Thailand for Christmas then it’s probably because you are looking for a somewhat different variation on your end-of-year celebrations than you may normally be accustomed to.

In which case, what better way to celebrate your Christmas than by taking a river cruise on the city’s famous Chao Phraya River?

There are various local companies and hotels operating Chao Phraya Christmas Dinner Cruises where you can cruise along the river while feasting, and taking in some of the best views in the city, which include some stunning, ancient Thai architecture and archetypal landscape images of Wat Arun.

Some of the cruises feature traditional Thai-style live performances which will make your Christmas Dinner experience seem even more surreal. With no snow or reindeers to be found, this can be a pleasant and memorable alternative Christmas moment – Bangkok style.

 2. Bangkok Shopping Malls

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There seems to have been in recent years an ever-growing number of impressive, huge, and now more often than not ‘hi-so’ shopping malls in Bangkok. These are the obvious places to witness some amazing Christmas decorations, and a general festive vibe.

The decorations, like the malls, are getting more elaborate every year. All the large and central malls will decorate to the max, with huge Christmas trees being erected, usually both inside and outside. These may be accompanied by other such add-ons as Christmas markets, giant Santa’s and possibly a beer garden or two.  

A lot of these malls are situated somewhere in close proximity to one of the main BTS lines – the Sukhumvit line, which means you could stop off at a few of them quite easily if you have the energy and inclination.

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

Some of the best shopping malls and complexes include IconSiam  (which is admittedly a bit further out, along the river), Siam Paragon, Central World, Siam Discovery Centre MBK, Terminal 21, Mega Bang Na, and Central Lad Prao. All of these places deck out their plazas and surrounding areas for the festive season. 

Siam is considered by Bangkok’s population to be the centre of the city when it comes to shopping, and especially Siam Paragon. There’s a skywalk that takes you to Siam, and the huge Paragon complex has dozens of palm trees illuminated with colourful Christmas lights.

In fact, if you had to pick one area to stroll around at this time of year, it would probably be Siam, as pretty much the entire area around Siam Square emanates a vibrant festive atmosphere, with endless displays of Christmas trees and lights amidst the commercial debauchery that Bangkok is so famous for.

There is another venue that is really much more than a mall in the form of Asiatique. It’s almost considered as a landmark in Bangkok by many locals, in the form of a huge, open mall complex right next to the Chao Phraya River (and also not too far from IkonSiam).

Asiatique holds lots of events all year, but both Christmas and the New Year celebrations are the biggest and most popular by far – so get there early if you want to claim a space anywhere around this time of year.

Sourced from creativecommons.org

3. Go to Church

Why not? Can you think of anything more surreal than Carols by Candlelight in the tropically humid, Buddhist Thai capital?

There are actually a fair few more churches than people may at first realise in Bangkok, with many of them being the Catholic variety, but there is a sprinkling of other types of church like the regular Protestant affairs. There are even Chinese Christian churches.

St Martin-in-the-Fields Christmas Carols – Image sourced from their website

Many of the buildings tend to be connected to Catholic or Christian schools or colleges – of which there are again a fair few in Bangkok.

A couple of prominent ones worth considering might be:

is an Anglican church which offers a Christmas service at 06:00pm and a Communion of Christmas starting at 11:15pm on Christmas Eve. This place will actually be packed so arrive early to make sure of a seat! (11, Convent Road, Silom)

  is a Roman Catholic Church which holds mass in both Thai and English. For English speakers, the Christmas Eve mass is held at 05:30pm and 11:00pm, while Christmas Day mass is at 9:45am, 11:00am, and 05:30pm. (Ruamrudee Lane, Ploenchit, Witthayu Road)

All Nations Church is a Protestant Church located in a Student Christian Centre, which again conducts services in both English and Thai. Call for details of services here: 096 735 7375 (328 Phayathai Road, Phetchaburi, Ratchathewi)

4. Have Christmas Dinner

Image by Portugal1 sourced from Media Library

Anyone looking for that special Christmas Day dinner won’t be disappointed, as the majority of Western-style hotels, along with some of the bars, offer a traditional meal.

These affairs usually fall into one of 2 categories – high-end and medium – at least in terms of price and setting.

In terms of the more hi-so options, visitors to Bangkok at Christmas might want to consider a few of the following, which is by no means an exhaustive or complete list. Basically, you should head for a four or five star hotel somewhere near the city centre regions like Siam, Silom or Sukhumvit, but bear in mind there is a good chance you will need to book first.

The Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel 

This establishment has a Christmas buffet which tends to be somewhere in the price range upwards of 5,000 baht per person. They also offer a slightly cheaper set menu at around 3000 baht. And if that all sounds a bit much then there are also brunch and afternoon tea options.

Address: 155 Ratchdamri Road, Lumpini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330

 SO Sofitel 

Here you can find another selection of options for Christmas eve, Christmas day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. This place even has a pool party on the 28^th December if you fancy something a bit different – and the pool just happens to be one of the best rooftop choices in Bangkok. 

Address: 2, North Sathorn Road, Bang Rak, Khet Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500

The Siam Hotel 

This place offers a 5-course Christmas Eve Dinner in the region of 3000 baht per person, and a slightly cheaper Christmas Day Brunch at 2500 baht. The brunch menu also features Thai cuisine and something a little bit different by way of a live cooking market.  

Address: 2 Khao Road, Wachira Phayaban, Dusit District, Bangkok 10300

The Okura Hotel Bangkok 

This hotel might be the choice for families – there’s a traditional Christmas Day set menu for both lunch and dinner, with a visit from Santa Claus to boot, too.

Address: 57 Witthayu Road, Lumpini, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330

The Novotel Bangkok 

The Novotel hosts a Christmas Brunch usually somewhere in the region of 1000 baht per person, and half of that for children aged 12 or under, including coffee, tea and soft drinks.

Address: 392/44 Siam Square, Soi 6, Rama I Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

If a hotel is not your thing and you are looking for something a bit cheaper, or maybe you fancy a different, more ‘pub’ vibe, you’ll find that there are plenty of British or western-style pubs that offer a reasonable Christmas alternative to the big hotels. Some of the more popular ones include the following: 

The conveniently located Robin Hood does a full Christmas dinner for around B1000. It just happens to b right next to a couple of the best malls in Bangkok at Phrom Pong

(BTS Phrom Pong), contact robinhood@csloxinfo.com for reservations.

Then just a bit further back along is the German Beer House Bei Otto does a traditional German Christmas meal.

A bit further north again (same BTS line – Sukhumvit) is Ekamai Beer House which offers a 3 course Christmas dinner and party for around 1000 again. 

Bourbon St. Bar offers a Christmas Buffet Spectacular on Christmas Eve evening and throughout Christmas Day between around 11 am and 11 pm.  The all-you-can-eat buffet costs just less than 1000 baht and the menu offers classic Christmas treats in the form of American inspired dishes. It is also worth noting that this particular establishment has a takeout menu for those preferring to enjoy their delicious Christmas food wherever they are staying. 

The Royal Oak is an established English pub in Bangkok, and does a full Christmas menu for the seasonal festivities. Usually for again 1000 baht, you might have gathered that this seems to be about the average standard price.

6. Stay Home — Get a Turkey delivered!

Not everyone feels like going out amidst the various festivities – or maybe they are unable to for whatever reason.

But no need to despair if that’s you – why not get your xmas dinner delivered to wherever you are staying?

Villa Supermarket has been servicing expats and locals with a taste for international flavours for decades now. The established Bangkok supermarket name has been delivering (pre-ordered) cooked turkeys to Bangkok inhabitants for a decade or so now, and you won’t be disappointed if you opt for this ‘stay-at-home’ Christmas dinner – but don’t forget to pre-order at least a few days in advance.

WEBSITE: www.shoponline.villamarket.com