Santa & caroling highlight festive Pattaya Christmas

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Santa made an appearance at the Thai Garden Resort where he traded in his sleigh for an elephant loaded with holiday gifts. The sight of old St. Nick on a pachyderm attracted plenty of photos and guests. Area children were rewarded with toys, sporting goods and other presents. Christmas this year was celebrated with tradition and gusto throughout Pattaya, as only Pattaya can provide.
Santa made an appearance at the Thai Garden Resort where he traded in his sleigh for an elephant loaded with holiday gifts. The sight of old St. Nick on a pachyderm attracted plenty of photos and guests. Area children were rewarded with toys, sporting goods and other presents. Christmas this year was celebrated with tradition and gusto throughout Pattaya, as only Pattaya can provide.

A truly festive season returned to Pattaya for Christmas, with music, prayers and Santa outfits highlighting the start of the holiday week.

After a muted holiday in 2016 due to the royal mourning period, Christmas exploded this year with lights and music at area hotels and shopping malls.

Pattaya students sang Christmas carols at the Diana Group hotels and a Christmas Eve lucky draw hosted by Managing Director Sopin Thappajug saw guests and other visitors win a full sleigh of presents. Everyone, however, got to enjoy a sumptuous buffet of food and drinks.

Santa himself made an appearance at the Thai Garden Resort where he traded in his sleigh for an elephant loaded with holiday gifts. The sight of old St. Nick on a pachyderm attracted plenty of photos and guests. Area children were rewarded with toys, sporting goods and other presents.

The religious meaning of Christmas trumped Santa at area churches, however.

At St. Nicolas Church, the celebration began with music, a lucky draw, food and drink before a Christmas Eve mass. Christmas day at the North Pattaya church featured a Roman Catholic mass. Children from the Human Help Network Thailand, dressed in white with Santa’s hats, sang Christmas hymns.

Bangkok Hospital Pattaya found Santa outfits in sizes to fit newborns.
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya found Santa outfits in sizes to fit newborns.

The Pattaya Church hosted a family-style holiday meal and a lucky draw before children put on song and dance performances.

Beautiful angels arrive at St. Nicolas Church.
Beautiful angels arrive at St. Nicolas Church.

The Pattaya Orphanage organized a magical Christmas party for the children that included gifts and prizes. Santa was on hand, of course, while the youngsters celebrated after performing in their Christmas pageant.

Orphanage Director Fr. Weera Pangrak and Human Help Network Director Ratchada Chomjinda kept the festivities moving along. Raffle prizes included electronic goods, TV’s, refrigerators, mobile phones, microwaves, teddy bears, bicycles, a half baht gold chain, a quarter baht gold chain, dinner vouchers, beverages and more. Most prizes were donated by the kind-hearted residents. Hundreds of these good people attended the event, and all funds raised on the night are designated to support the education of the children in the orphanage through scholarships.

At Jamesons Irish Pub, landlord Kim Fletcher put on a Christmas feast befitting the occasion. Word must have spread how good it was, for the entire restaurant was filled for both shifts. Everything was delicious, but special mention must go to the Christmas pudding and the divine pate.

Fr. Weera Pangrak, director of the Pattaya Orphanage gives out presents to the children.
Fr. Weera Pangrak, director of the Pattaya Orphanage gives out presents to the children.

Whether it was in the pews or the pubs, the holiday was a festive one in Pattaya. Central Marina and Central Festival shopping malls, the Siam@Siam Hotel, Hard Rock Cafe and Royal Garden Plaza were among the many venues lit with holiday cheer and decorations.

Tourists and even children got into the spirit, with parents dropping their little ones off at school decked out in red and white.

Costume and wholesale shops from Pattaya to Bangkok reported good business in Santa suits while fashion outlets sold out of red dresses and headbands.

Bangkok Hospital Pattaya even found Santa outfits in sizes to fit newborns. From Dec. 23-26, the hospital wrapped up newborn infants in Santa and Mrs. Claus suits made from premium materials that wouldn’t chafe the new babies’ skin.

Santa and his elf were caught on camera making deliveries on Central Pattaya Road.
Santa and his elf were caught on camera making deliveries on Central Pattaya Road.

The Christmas spirit also was alive and well in Pattaya-area neighborhoods.

In the Soi Korphai Community, President Wirat Joyjinda welcomed the Christian Asian Inter Clinic Club to a holiday party where volunteers provided free medical and dental checkups.

Everyone was invited to enjoy free food and drinks while kids played games. The day ended with community leaders handing out gifts to all the children.

It’s ‘Jingle Bell Time, What a Swell Time’ at Hard Rock Pattaya’s rockin’ Christmas celebration.
It’s ‘Jingle Bell Time, What a Swell Time’ at Hard Rock Pattaya’s rockin’ Christmas celebration.
Christmas magic awaits inside Siam@Siam Design Hotel.
Christmas magic awaits inside Siam@Siam Design Hotel.
At Jamesons Irish Pub, landlord Kim Fletcher put on a Christmas spread befitting the occasion.
At Jamesons Irish Pub, landlord Kim Fletcher put on a Christmas spread befitting the occasion.
Thai Garden Resort featured Santa delivering gifts and blessings on an elephant.
Thai Garden Resort featured Santa delivering gifts and blessings on an elephant.
The Avani Hotel’s Christmas tree and celebration receives thumbs up from staff and guests.
The Avani Hotel’s Christmas tree and celebration receives thumbs up from staff and guests.
Radchada Chomjinda leads children from the HHN Foundation Thailand in singing Christmas hymns at St. Nicolas Church in Central Pattaya.
Radchada Chomjinda leads children from the HHN Foundation Thailand in singing Christmas hymns at St. Nicolas Church in Central Pattaya.
Bright eyes on this good little girl give away how delighted she is to receive a present from Santa at the Thai Garden Resort Pattaya.
Bright eyes on this good little girl give away how delighted she is to receive a present from Santa at the Thai Garden Resort Pattaya.
Sales were brisk for Santa costumes.
Sales were brisk for Santa costumes.
Santa arrives at the Pattaya Orphanage to give out more presents!
Santa arrives at the Pattaya Orphanage to give out more presents!
Soi Korphai Community Chairman Wirat Joyjinda and residents hand out Christmas gifts to grateful youngsters.
Soi Korphai Community Chairman Wirat Joyjinda and residents hand out Christmas gifts to grateful youngsters.
Children in the Soi Korphai Community were given medical check-ups by the medical team from Asia Inter Clinic as their healthy Christmas gift.
Children in the Soi Korphai Community were given medical check-ups by the medical team from Asia Inter Clinic as their healthy Christmas gift.
Hundreds people attend the Pattaya Orphanage Christmas celebration.
Hundreds people attend the Pattaya Orphanage Christmas celebration.
Former Pattaya City Councilor Ittiwat Wattanasartsathorn and members of the Pattaya Friends 2011 Club host dinner for the residents of the Karunyawet Home for the Disabled to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
Former Pattaya City Councilor Ittiwat Wattanasartsathorn and members of the Pattaya Friends 2011 Club host dinner for the residents of the Karunyawet Home for the Disabled to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
This little pink cutie and mom are enjoying the festivities.
This little pink cutie and mom are enjoying the festivities.
The Human Help Network Thailand Children’s Choir performs Christmas songs at St. Nikolaus Church.
The Human Help Network Thailand Children’s Choir performs Christmas songs at St. Nikolaus Church.
Diana Group MD Sopin Thappajug leads Christmas Eve festivities at the Diana Garden Resort.
Diana Group MD Sopin Thappajug leads Christmas Eve festivities at the Diana Garden Resort.

Soi Korphai children are laughing and smiling as the Christian Club plays games with them to win prizes.

They don’t come much bigger than the Christmas tree at Central Festival Pattaya Beach.
They don’t come much bigger than the Christmas tree at Central Festival Pattaya Beach.
Welcome to the Dusit Thani Hotel’s enchanted Christmas festival.
Welcome to the Dusit Thani Hotel’s enchanted Christmas festival.
Christmas Eve comes alive at Central Marina Pattaya with colorful lights and a huge Christmas tree.
Christmas Eve comes alive at Central Marina Pattaya with colorful lights and a huge Christmas tree.