The celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ is one of the few holidays so widely marked. It may not be a holiday in Thailand, but there is probably no one unaware of Christmas. Many Christians criticise the commercial atmosphere, but there's really no escaping it. The giving of gifts and the "Christmas spirit" of peace and joy is worth noting by everyone, everywhere.
While only Christians celebrate the birth of Christ, virtually every religion shares many of the traditions that are now part of this holiday. The Buddhist holy day, or wan phra, does not coincide directly with Christmas this year. That is a day that emphasises the same importance of giving that Christmas encompasses. Muslims do not celebrate Christmas specifically, but one of the bases of that religion stresses the obligation of zakat, or providing to charity.
Christmas Day in Thailand also is proof -- if any is needed -- of the protection and true "freedom of religion" enjoyed by Thais and all foreign guests. Not even the strictest of military coup governments has ever touched that freedom. The 21st and newest constitution protects the right to hold any belief or non-belief. So did the first constitution of the modern era in 1932.
But Thai support for freedom of faith goes back centuries. The Thai throne from the time of the Lanna kingdoms until now has been the most tolerant in the world towards the religious beliefs of others. Even as every Thai monarch has followed the Buddhist faith, so has every king served officially as the protector of other religions.
It is a valuable right that many in the world envy. Buddhism is by far the most-followed religion. Census figures claim that more than 90% of Thais are Buddhist, and that is not a wild exaggeration. Yet throughout the country there are temples, mosques, churches and other centres of prayer that cater not just to other mainstream faiths, but to practically every sect of the different religions.
Nor is it a right to be scoffed at or taken lightly. Over the centuries of religious tolerance from the monarchy to the village, there is no history of religious warfare. The same cannot be said for the countries surrounding us. The Buddhist hand in the current Myanmar campaign against the Muslim Rohingya is shameful. Malaysia has had terrible ethnic riots involving religions. The all-out war on religion by the Cambodian communists strove for genocide against Cham Muslims, Thai Buddhists and the Cambodian clergy alike.
China's current and terrible crisis involving that country's Muslim population is one of the most worrying developments. Like Myanmar, China is using an alleged terrorist threat as the excuse to crack down on every Uighur in the Xinjiang special zone -- every man, woman and child. And the Hindus of India once again are rising against Islam over a minor issue -- the site of a planned Hindu temple.
Every religion teaches tolerance and respect, but of course not every religious person accepts that literal teaching. One of the most violent struggles in the world at present pits the two main Muslim sects against each other. Thousands of Sunnis and Shias have died in most horrible ways.
Christians in Thailand will celebrate one of their most holy days today in peace. Many Thais will join in, particularly in the matter of festive holiday parties, and the attendant gift-giving. That New Year's Eve follows Christmas by just six days makes it a pleasure for many to ease into the four-day secular holiday for all that will start on Saturday.
Thailand came to embrace religious celebrations outside of Buddhism when Siam was an international crossroads. Openness and acceptance of others' beliefs and holy observance is part of the nation's DNA. The Christmas spirit may have foreign roots, but it is a positive reinforcement of most Thais' tolerance and respect for others.