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Spending Christmas and New Year in a foreign land with an alien culture can be an enriching life experience – honestly.

Anyhow, if you’re missing that Christmas feeling or wondering where to bring in the New Year, look no further than Bangkok.

Generally, December is one of Thailand’s busiest months and nowhere is busier than Bangkok and with that comes plenty of opportunity to dress the capital up with familiar Christmas decorations.

Bangkok’s famous high-end, sky-scraping shopping centres and luxury hotels sprout Christmas trees and fairy lights that become an attraction of their own. You could easily take a walking tour just to decide which mall has the best display!

Around the central Siam area, Siam Paragon, CentralWorld and MBK are among the malls to hit for a Christmas tree selfie, while hotels that impress each year include the Grand Hyatt Erawan, the Peninsula and the InterContinental.

If you’re wondering where to get your fill of turkey, Christmas pudding and port, the city’s best hotels are some of the best places to find heaving buffets, fre- flow alcohol and steaming Christmas pudding over the holiday period, but there are plenty of stand-alone restaurants offering special festive menus as well.

Aside from the many malls dressed in bright colours, Bangkok also hosts a number of outdoor, weekend, floating and train markets during the Christmas period. These markets are a great place to pick up gifts for friends and family and to enjoy a sumptuous meal. Those who wish to participate in a religious service are welcomed with open arms at most Christian churches on Christmas day.

Moving on to New Year and Thailand’s capital offers hundreds of New Year’s Eve celebrations. Whether you prefer a dinner cruise, a family riverside market or to ring in the New Year from one of the city’s many rooftop bars, Bangkok has something for everyone.

NEW YEAR

ASIATIQUE

This riverside spot has become one of the most popular places to ring in the New Year. Starting at 17:00 on 31 December, the countdown at Asiatique will be broadcast on television, so expect at ritzy glitzy affair. The best way to get there is via boat from Sapphan Taksin Pier (near the BTS of the same name). The night market will be buzzing: expect live music, Thai celebrity appearances and fireworks as the clock strikes 12. Many of the restaurants will be hosting special suppers and it’s worth booking ahead to make sure you get a table.

The rooftop bars and restaurants in Bangkok are magical any night of the year, but come New Year’s Eve, they add an extra dose of sparkle and magic to their lofty surroundings.

REm’s Top Pick:

RISE ABOVE THE ORDINARY
NEW YEAR’S EVE 2013
LEBUA HOTELS & RESORTS

Discover the true meaning of the high life this New Year’s Eve at The Dome at lebua – a garden of heavenly delights with celestial cuisine, divine service, and the most glorious views of Bangkok’s celebratory fireworks show. A fleet of internationally celebrated master chefs, dedicated restaurant managers and rock-star mixologists await at your venue of choice. The multiple-award-winning Sirocco, Sky Bar, Breeze, Mezzaluna and Distil are renowned for their passion to share the new, the undiscovered and the exceptional with our guests every night – a passion that reaches new heights on this special night.

and, if Lebua doesn’t do it for you, Banyan Tree is also were it’s at.

BANYAN TREE
VERTIGO & MOON BAR
New Year’s Eve Diamonds… Forever 2019