Christmas festivities take root

News > Local News

Published: 25/12/2011 at 02:04 AM
Newspaper section: News

Christmas trees are taking root in Buddhist Thailand.

DAZZLING: The ornamental giant Christmas tree in front of CentralWorld. PHOTO: PORNPROM SATRABHAYA

Sales of one of the traditional symbols of the Christian festival are soaring as Thais join foreigners in the festivities.

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About the author

: Writer: Piyaporn Wongruang; Position: Reporter

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spiceman
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Discussion 11 : 31/12/2011 at 02:42 PM11
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Khun Fundeena #10, are you saying that everyone should get away from the religious and commercialized versions of Christmas in North America and come to celebrate a "Buddhist" commercialized Christmas version in Thailand? I am kind of confused!
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fundeena
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Discussion 10 : 30/12/2011 at 08:07 AM10
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I am glad to get away from the religious and commercialized versions of Christmas in North America. Everyone should do it at least every few years to preserve their sanity.
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spiceman
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Discussion 9 : 25/12/2011 at 04:04 PM9
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Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." (Luke 2:10-12)

Merry Christmas to all.
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Jock
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Discussion 8 : 25/12/2011 at 02:35 PM8
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A story for Christmas. Some months earlier my lovely Thai Wife asked which is the best tablet and when I told her ipad,there was no further mention of it so.........I thought, there's a hint for a Christmas present if there ever was one. I duly went out and bought one, together with all the gizmos, wrapped it up beautifully, but being careful to disguise the shape, just in case she should find it. She was off on a business trip, not returning home until 3.30pm on Christmas day, so she phoned me in the morning to say, "Merry Christmas Darling, now time to find your Christmas Presents". I was guided to the wardrobe in the Guest Room and told look at the bottom of the wardrobe and you will see two Christmas packages - they are for you. Little did she realise that on the top shelf of the same wardrobe was her Christmas ipad! She then excitedly went on to say that she had won a wonderful present at the Firm's Function the previous night "and guess what.........I won an...........ipad! Well done Santa, because we now both have an ipad. Merry Christmas everyone.
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ra-hoei
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Discussion 7 : 25/12/2011 at 01:53 PM7
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I disagree with the article... and I agree with the article teaser. Nothing symbolizes the spirit of Xmas like hot models in short skirt Santa costumes. I love Thailand!
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hillfarang
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Discussion 6 : 25/12/2011 at 12:50 PM6
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My thoughts:

1] Yes, Christmas is an ancient and pagan holiday, originally related to the winter solstice.

2] More recently, the "Son's" day became a "Sun-day" celebration. Consatantine, the first "Christian" emperor has pictures of this "Sun-god" on the obverse of his coins.

3] Yes, it is known vwhen Jesus was born: At the beginning of Sukkas (Tabernacles) which was in early October, possibly 5 BC. He died at Pasach (Passover) meaning that his age was 33 1/2. (3 1/3 years of public ministry after emerging at the age of 30.

4] Modern Christmas is a retail sales event accounting for 40-60% of annual income. It is clearly a Christmas card & buying extravaganza gone world-wide!

5] Recent Headline (Huffington Post) "Pope Decries Commercialization Of Christmas"
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heartie
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Discussion 5 : 25/12/2011 at 11:13 AM5
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Christmas decorations are beautiful, but it's really tacky to leave them up all year round. I wish people would learn to take them down after the first week of January. It's a bit annoying to see Christmas trees up at Songkran when I'm thinking about summer fun (as opposed to snowy winters).
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dao
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Discussion 4 : 25/12/2011 at 10:56 AM4
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Whats even better than a fake tree or one cut and shipped from half way around the world is a real one .Trees are cheap .They dont require much care .They provide shade when its hot and prevent soil erosion contributing to flooding .I know most big trees have been cut down in Thailand to the point of tying ribbons around the few that are still here .Schools should have a day every year when students are taken out and made to plant a tree somewhere .It sure beats concrete and plastic .
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OldThaiHand
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Discussion 3 : 25/12/2011 at 09:44 AM3
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Christmas is in itself a hodge-podge of religious beliefs, with strong origins in the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia and the Germanic and Norse traditions of worshipping the fir tree as a symbol of life amidst the dead of winter. All of this was co-opted by the Christian church, more as a PR tool than anything else, in order to grow a fledgeling religion.

Therefore, it's quite in keeping with the multi-cultural origins of the holiday that Buddhism be incorporated. After-all, it's believed by many scholars that a good deal of Christian tenet comes from Christ's study of Buddhism in India during the 'lost years' of his life before he re-appeared in Judea.
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nattieboy
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Discussion 2 : 25/12/2011 at 09:41 AM2
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Christmas in not about Jesus, and you don't need to be a Christian to enjoy it. In Europe it is originally about the winter solstices. The Romans introduced the idea that Christ was born on this day while they were conquering Europe. They we're obviously introducing Christianity as a means to ruling the pagans. No one really knows When Christ was born.
Now for most none religious Europeans Christmas is about being with Family.
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