By Itsarin Tisantia
Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post
Christmas Day celebrations will take place once again on December 25. It is a special time when Christians sing carols and children are delighted to receive presents.
This week’s Exercises looks at some of the festivities held in celebration of Christmas Day around Thailand.
Christmas Day has been celebrated in various ways for centuries in commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The celebrations are not only held in Christian countries but they are also held in predominantly non-Christian countries like Thailand.
SCHOOL PARTIES
International and Christian schools in Thailand normally hold parties on December 24, since the schools close on Christmas Day. During the Christmas week, they will decorate Christmas trees in front of their main buildings.
This year, St Andrews International School in Bangkok, Regents International School Pattaya and Chiang Mai International School will hold special parties, shows, colourful parades and prayers.
PEACEFUL NIGHT
Christians who want to celebrate Christmas Day in a traditional way are invited to join a Christmas event at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church on Asoke-Dindaeng Road in Bangkok. On December 24 and 25, the church will hold a show and a lucky draw game, in addition to a mass prayer.
For further information, visit www.fatima.or.th or call 02 245 1039.
STARS ON CARS
The Christmas Star Parade festival will be held in Sakon Nakhon from December 23 to 25. Visitors can see a dazzling star parade with more than 200 decorated cars. On this occasion, the Birth of Jesus Christ stage performance and star-crafting demonstration will also be held.
Exercises
Read the story and decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. The Christmas Star Parade festival will be held in Saraburi.
……………….
2. Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church is located on Rama IV Road.
……………….
3. The contact number for the church is 02 245 1039.
……………….
4. Christmas Day falls on December 25.
……………….
Vocabulary
- decorate (v): to make something look more attractive by putting things on it
dazzling (adj): extremely impressive, beautiful, or skilful
