Bangkok Baubles and Christmas Cheer

I’m like a kid in a candy shop when it comes to finding classy Christmas cheer in Thailand. It always takes some searching, but it’s exciting finding Bangkok’s best baubles and festive fun! As the Kingdom reopens and tourism and business return, the sparkling Chrissy lights shine hope and reflect a city keen to welcome all.

After all, as my Marks and Spencer’s Christmas cards, this year declared ‘Fizz the Season to be Jolly.’

Won’t you come with me as I take a wander around the Bangkok holiday celebrations? I’ll share my choice for a Christmas lights Tuk Tuk drive and we’ll find my favourite mince pies!

Christmas in Bangkok 2021

I remember arriving in Bangkok five steaming hot Decembers ago and being a tad disappointed in the lack of Christmas decorations to be found. Until I was reminded that for the average Ploy, Christmas is a regular working day.

Seek and thou shall find!

I’ve found that the greatest Christmas cheer in Thailand, will be either in the shopping malls or in the best hotels. So I’ve always made it my thing to visit and appreciate those Bangkok hotels that have entered into the spirit of Christmas. Here is my round-up of the best baubles found so far.

Ho ho ho! 

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The Christmas Tradition in Thailand

No one ever came to Thailand just for Christmas traditions. You come for richness, culture, and celebrations in other ways.

‘Wot no Christmas tree?”  “No, Sheila, remember you’re in a Buddhist country!”

What I love about Christmas in Bangkok is that you can go from feeling underwhelmed to feeling stunned with incredulity at the sheer over-the-top extravaganza offered up as Christmas.

Check out the ‘cor blimey’ call that a Christmas, with Celebration with Mythical Creatures at Gaysorn Shopping Mall or the Central World plaza brash bling!

Not to mention, we’re still talking about massive scary Aussie animals which turned up one year at Emporium and Emquartier Mall! More Halloween than Christmas but then that’s what we love about living in Thailand. Sometimes anything goes!

For this reason, I prefer to stick with the more traditional interpretations found at some of Bangkok’s loveliest hotels. Just call me an old-fashioned Wren!

Siam Paragon Christmas Tree

Where to find the best Christmas decorations

After 2020, closed international borders resulted in a damp squib of Christmas festivities and minimalist effort, it has been interesting to see which of the luxury hotels, usually the best place to look, are going all out for Christmas. I detected a Christmas hesitancy and Interestingly, some like The Banyan Tree, Intercontinental, and The Siam were yet to decorate when I visited in early December.

The Siam Bangkok told me they were flat out with weddings and needed to respect that not all brides wanted a Christmas theme – what’s wrong with these brides I wanted to say? But then I guess some have been waiting two years for their big day!

My assessment? For the most part, Bangkok’s Christmas decorations can be described as so so, but if you know where to look, they are brilliant.

Let’s start with the most awesome Christmas decorations at the Grand Hyatt Erawan. I feel like they must have spent two years of Christmas decorations on one mega splurge.

Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok

Walking into the Grand Hyatt Erawan in December is like having all your Happy Christmas wishes come true!

This is my magical wonderland of traditional Christmas decorations. I loved it so much I walked out, having booked myself in for the weekend to linger further. 

The grand staircase, huge Christmas tree, every wall adorned with garlands, and mega festive wreaths, this is my idea of how Christmas should be done!  Downstairs, you will find Chef has been busy creating fun festive fair at the Bakery. Now turned into a log cabin with fur-lined seats awaiting guests, all perfect for my top award of Christmas cheer. 

Check out all the Grand Hyatt Erawan festive offerings here.

For more on my Grand Hyatt Erawan Festive staycation here.

Grand Hyatt Erawan video room tour here.

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

Ever the show stopper wow of a Christmas visit. It’s not massively different to last year, same beautiful gold, silver, and bronze colours, but gone are the rather wild pampas grass feathers from the 2020 Christmas tree, that fitted perfectly the manic year we all had.

The 2021 Christmas decorations are more refined and soothing and just make me grin from ear to ear!

I make the Mandarin Oriental (MO) my annual Christmas pilgrimage, just like I used to see the Myer Christmas windows in Melbourne. We sit in the foyer and take in the vibe and then have lunch at the Riverside Terrace restaurant by the Chao Phraya river. For an extra special visit arrive by the MO shuttle boat from Saphan Taskin Pier.

On special years we will book for the Authors’ Lounge Traditional Afternoon Tea from 12 pm to 5.30 pm served with old-world charm! Where ladies are asked to wear elegant attire and men are gentlemen and asked to wear their smart shirts! You’ve got the picture!

For all the details on our Festive Afternoon Tea at The Authors’ Lounge here 

Check out all the Mandarin Oriental festive offerings here

Photo credit: Paul Moore Chow Traveller

The Peninsula Bangkok

Well, what do I say the Peninsula, choice of my 100th Thailand Staycation in 2021 you always have my heart.

This hotel is effortlessly chic, always friendly, and welcoming. They do their Christmas in the same effortlessly stylish way. I always feel at home at the Pen, no airs and graces here needed.

This is one of the few hotels where I’m greeted at the door and personally taken around to ensure I don’t miss anything! They even apologised because their Christmas tree from Canada was still stuck on the boat! Such is life this year, as anyone trying to transport anything around the world knows, Covid has caused shipping and logistical nightmares.

I would say for the best festive experience you should arrive by road to the main entrance, where your eyes will immediately be drawn to The Peninsula Tuk Tuk with its Christmas decorations. The gold The Peninsula lettering is resplendent below huge gold balls and above dangling gold and silver baubles. 

Why not leave by the river on the decorated hotel shuttle historic rice barge either across to Saphan Taskin or go next door to check out Christmas at IconSiam?

Of note is the mega advent calendar “Is there a Santa Claus” which is opened daily to the delight of passing guests who share in the wonder of Christmas treats hidden behind the doors!

Check out all the Magical Festive Season at the Peninsula, Bangkok.

For more on my Peninsula Bangkok  20thThailand Staycation, 60th Thailand staycation, and 100th Thailand staycation here

Anantara Siam Bangkok

There is always something special about arriving up the sweeping driveway at the Anantara Siam, opposite the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. It’s another one of my favorite hotels for Christmas, a grande dame of a hotel.

At the entrance, a Christmas tree-lined walkway and a few reindeer draw you into the colourful lobby and stairwell, and don’t forget to look up at the painted ceilings. I arrive to find a small child, entranced by it all – she is not the only one!

The Christmas tree on the entrance is pure wow – red, gold, and silver with oversized toy soldiers on guard. At the base, a Santa Claus leather seat beckons just perfect for your Christmas snaps. Check out the always delicious Mocha and Muffins bakery at the back of the courtyard for their Christmas fair.

Check out all the Anantara Siam festive offerings here.

Okura Prestige

In 2021 the reindeer at the doorway are an indication of what you might find within. At the Okura Prestige, you need to take the lift to the lobby but what they lack in grand entrance foyers of the above hotel, they make up for in grand stature of their double story Christmas tree. 

As featured in Prestige:  Where to celebrate Christmas 2021 in Bangkok 

Grand Hyatt 

The Grand Hyatt is here piggybacking on the wow of the Central Embassy decorations outside their door. I was going to say this is cheating, but Central Embassy Mall of all the shopping malls is always my favourite and this year is no exception. Isn’t it lovely?

The Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit

The Carlton get an honorable mention as one of our favourite choices for a party celebration.  The place of choice for the American Women’s Club annual Christmas party, we always have a great time at this well-located Sukhumvit hotel! I can vouch for their Afternoon Tea and see they are offering a Festive Afternoon Tea, Christmas goodies, and Festive Set menus.

Check out all the Carlton Sukhumvit festive offerings here

For more on my 96th Thailand staycation at The Carlton Sukhumvit here and room tour here.

Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit

Any hotel that offers free entry to their European Christmas Market in the hotel lobby on 4th, 11th, 18th, and 24th December 2 pm – 7 pm deserves a special mention. The stalls offer a selection of handmade products & gifts. There is mulled wine and carols. Bravo to the Sofitel!

Check out all the Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit festive offerings here

As featured in Prestige:  Where to celebrate Christmas 2021 in Bangkok 

The Landmark Bangkok 

This hotel gets a special mention because they are offering a timely reminder to preserve the environment, with their Landmark Goes Green – Plant Trees with Me. For every 250 THB donated the hotel funds planting of saplings in a Royal Forest Reserve and you receive the “Oliver’ Festive Teddy Bear.

Check out The Landmark, Bangkok’s festive offerings here

Not to be missed at Christmas 

Sarnies Mince Pies – stop press!

Just as I’m a tad fussy about my Christmas trees, I like my mince pies to be moist and with melt in your mouth pastry. I don’t think you will do any better than a cup of special blend festive coffee, cheery White Chocolate or Matcha Peppermint Latte, and a box (yes a box 50 THB) of Sarnie’s mince pies.

There are now two locations The original Sarnies in a 150-year-old boat repair store in trendy Bang Rak and Sarnies Roastery on Soi Tonson off Ploenchit opposite Central Embassy.

Christmas Crackers – Sorry sold out in 2021

The Crackers ladies at the British Women’s Group Bangkok are a mighty power team who make crackers throughout the year as a fundraiser for the Club’s charitable efforts. They sell out well ahead of the big day but are one to remember for future Christmas cheer in Bangkok.

The ‘BWG’ have been providing a social network for expatriate ladies for more than 50 years in Bangkok. More on the BWG Bangkok here.

The Christmas Festive Tuk Tuk drive

One of my favourite things to do at this time is to hire a Tuk Tuk and take a drive to see the lights. The price depends on your negotiation skills and how the traffic is, expect to pay around 200 – 300 THB, it is Christmas after all.

Wireless Rd –> Ploenchit Rd –> Rachadamri Rd –> Sarasin Rd –> Wireless Rd

Take the circuit up Wireless Road. Turn left onto Ploenchit road, admiring the large Christmas tree at Central Embassy in your right, and left again at the Erawan Shrine, you won’t miss the largest Christmas Tree in SE Asia at Central World, all ready for the New Year countdown. On Rachadamri Road down past the Grand Hyatt Erawan, St Regis, and Anantara Siam. Of special note are the lights at The Courtyard by Marriott, left along Sarasin Rd and back there is a fair amount of great gaudy bling on Wireless Road. Alight at either Central Embassy or Central World and wander their decorations!

If all that is feeling like hard work check out Expique’s Night Lights Tuk Tuk tours here

The Complete Guide to Christmas in Bangkok 2021

For more useful information on the best fun Xmas events, see Expique’s ultimate guide to how to spend your 2021 Christmas and the festive season in Bangkok:

Expique’s informative Christmas in Bangkok post.

If you are researching where to celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Bangkok. Prestige has chosen nine hotels offering a selection of menus and exciting happenings:

Prestige: Where to celebrate Christmas 2021 in Bangkok

Hotels.com has a guide to Bangkok’s Christmas events and festivities:

Hotels.com: Christmas in Bangkok and 5 places to celebrate New Year in Bangkok.

Time Out Bangkok for more holiday spirit, they’ve rounded up the best places to see Christmas lights and decorations in Bangkok:

Time Out: Where to see the Christmas lights and decorations in Bangkok 2021

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la!