Thailand for Christmas - is it a good idea?

Thailand for Christmas is always a good idea in our eyes. The weather is perfect, rainy season is over. The beaches are incredible, the food amazing and the people wonderful. If you haven’t yet realised, Thailand is our most favourite travel destination to date. We have yet to find anywhere that quite matches it. The Christmas we spent in Thailand was probably one of our most memorable yet! If you’re looking for the best place to escape to for Christmas then Thailand is our number one. Read on for all the information.

Firstly, Do they Celebrate Christmas in Thailand?

Christmas Day is not a public holiday in Thailand, however that doesn’t mean that Christmas is not celebrated. Thailand is around 85% Buddhist and 14% Islamic with only 1% for other. But, like many other countries around the world (including the UAE – our second home!) Christmas is still recognised and celebrated in Thailand. It is seen as more of a commercial holiday than a religious one. With businesses using it as a marketing advantage to promote sales and shopping.

In the more urban areas like Bangkok, Pattaya and Chiang Mai you will likely see decorated windows and Christmas lights and displays in malls and shopping centres.

Will I find Christmas traditions in Thailand?

If you’re looking for Christmas Market Stalls, Tree Lighting, Hot Chocolate and Christmas Carols then no! If you’re looking for some Christmas decorations, Christmas songs and Christmas spirit then yes! Please don’t expect to head to Thailand for Christmas and have all the same home traditions that you are used to, get ready to embrace some new ones! If you are in the more touristy areas of Thailand like Phuket or Koh Samui then check out the large, branded hotels as they usually do Christmas Eve Dinners and fireworks. Christmas Eve is more widely celebrated in Thailand than Christmas Day.

Take Christmas hats, t-shirts or anything festive that you like with you as it is unlikely that you will find things like this for sale in Thailand.

Do things close in Thailand at Christmas?

No, Christmas in Thailand is a regular working day. Everything will be open as normal, unless it is an expat business perhaps. Even though it is a regular working day do expect to hear choruses of ‘Merry Christmas’ as you walk around.

What is the weather like in Thailand for Christmas?

Absolutely beautiful! You will find highs of 31c and dry sunny days. Typically in Bangkok, December will see around 1 rainy day. There may be a little more rain further south. However, December is during high season and sees the best weather.

Is Thailand too crowded in December?

Thailand is a popular destination to spend Christmas. The weather is perfect, the beaches are incredible and it is an escape from the traditional Christmas day. The popular beaches in Thailand will probably be crowded for Christmas; Koh Samui, Phuket, Phi Phi and Koh Lipe.

However, there are many smaller, quieter beaches that you can spend your Christmas at in Thailand. If you are looking to avoid the crowds in Thailand for Christmas then check out Koh Lanta or Koh Mook. We travelled to both these islands during December and they were perfectly busy with a wonderful atmosphere without being crowded at all.

Is Thailand expensive at Christmas?

Yes, it is peak season in Thailand during Christmas time (Nov – March) and naturally prices will increase. Supply and demand always causes prices to hike during peak time. Over Christmas week expect to pay an inflated rate.

We spent Christmas week on the stunning, idyllic island of Koh Lipe, also known as the Maldives of Thailand. Over the years, it has become increasingly busy and more expensive. There are many more stunning boutique and luxury resorts appearing across the island of Koh Lipe. Although, of course this means that the prices will naturally be quite expensive. There are of course, always budget friendly options but expect to pay more during Christmas week than you would normally. Always, book in advance too – hotels fill up quickly during Christmas.

Luxury Hotel in Ko Lipe

Bulow Casa Grand View Resort – Incredible pool view villas on sunset beach.

Mid Range Hotel in Ko Lipe

Castaway Resort Ko Lipe – a popular resort on sunrise beach. We wanted to stay here during our trip but it was full. Wooden bungalows on the best beach in Koh Lipe.

Budget Hotel Ko Lipe

Lipe Banyan Apartments – Spacious apartments of different sizes close to Pattaya beach.

Booking.com

Where is the best place to spend Christmas in Thailand?

I’m sure anyone who has spent time in Thailand at Christmas will have an opinion on this. Weather wise, you are safe going anywhere in Thailand during December. It depends whether you are looking for a Christmas on the beach or a Christmas in the city like Chiang Mai or Bangkok.

Our itinerary for December in Thailand can be found here our 3 week Thailand itinerary. We travelled from Chiang Mai to Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe to Koh Mook and finished up in Bangkok. An incredible 3 weeks.

Koh Lipe at Christmas was beautiful. It is the most stunningly, breathtaking island. Undoubtedly some of the most powdery white sand and turquoise sea beaches we have seen in Thailand. We spent an incredible 6 days enjoying a slow, island life over Christmas. For Christmas Day we booked a snorkelling tour and visited some other idyllic neighbouring island before ending the day singing Christmas songs on the beach. Check Get Your Guide for the best trips in Ko Lipe.

You can read all about our trip to Koh Lipe in our post here.

So, is Thailand at Christmas a good idea?

From our point of view 100% yes! Here is a round up of our reasons:

Perfect weather – sun, no humidity and dry
Beautiful beaches – away from the commercialisation of Christmas at home
Great atmosphere – busy but if you choose locations wisely then not too crowded
Quiet Christmas – we didn’t buy many presents and had a simple, stripped back day total escape from the usual madness

Christmas day snorkelling trip in Thailand

Other Thailand Inspiration

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