In an ideal world, the festive holidays are a time of good cheer, relaxation and celebration, surrounded by family and friends. However, for some, the holidays can be stressful, as well as being cold, hectic, and expensive, it’s also a prime time of year for family fallouts. So, it’s not surprising many people choose to get away for Christmas and the New Year.
Although not part of Thai culture, this is a Buddhist country, the Christmas holiday spirit echoes the principles of Buddhism, which is all about peace and unity. Thai people love to have fun and have happily embraced Western Christmas traditions, particularly in Bangkok and Phuket where there are lots of tourists and large expat communities. New Year is also celebrated big style, despite the traditional end of the Thai year happening in April, with huge parties, live music and extra loud fireworks.
Beautiful Beaches
Family Fun
Phuket’s a great option for families at Christmas, Thai people are famed for their hospitality and warmth and they adore kids. Many of the larger hotels and resorts offer a kid’s club and babysitting services, there’s also plenty of child-friendly activities going on around the island from infants and toddlers up to young teenagers, including Splash Jungle Water Park, Anthem Wake Park, and The Upside-Down House.
Catch Junior is a beach club on Bang Tao Beach designed especially for kids, it’s full of activity where children can bounce, jump, play, climb, splash, create and make friends, whilst parents sit back and relax next to the pool.
Festive Food
Phuket Town is recognised as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and has some excellent Thai restaurants, as well as a wealth of international restaurants to offer. Most of the tourist-oriented businesses and resorts are open over the holidays and offer festive events during the holiday season with a choice of Christmas Eve dinners, Christmas Day brunch, and New Year festivities, there’s something for everyone on the island.
In Surin Beach, Twinpalms Phuket hotel is celebrating with a Christmas Family Day and a special guest appearance from Santa. Catch Beach Club is hosting a Christmas Day beach brunch, and welcoming in 2020 in style, there’s no better place to be than at Catch’s New Year Party after enjoying a lavish pool-side gala dinner at the hotel.
Pavilions Phuket are also laying on some family friendly activities, from ‘Schools out’ Saturday Brunch and indulgent Christmas Eve dinners, to New Year’s Eve festivities with the countdown at the stunning 360 Bar, listening to DJ Garry’s retro fun music overlooking Layan and Bangtao Beach, watching the firework extravaganza.
The luxury resort of Andara, above Kamala Beach, celebrates the festive season with style, including poolside BBQs and lavish Christmas dinners. Or try something a little more down-to-earth and join Shimmer Beachfront Restaurant for a fabulous New Year’s Eve Brazilian style menu served Churrasco style.
