Weekendin Singapore Dec '14 | Issue 09 | Page 126

intheTRAVEL intheTRAVEL Even the tuk-tuk drivers on the street wear Santa hats. Merchants along the main shopping road— Sukhumvit—decorate with lights, Christmas trees, Santa Claus and reindeer décor. From the end of October when decoration start going up, the road is jammed with shoppers and sightseers. Relaxing by the pool at the Millenium Hilton Bangkok Festive Celebrations One Christmas activity that Bangkok excels at year round is shopping. Although Christmas isn’t just about shopping, almost every main retailer in Thailand will be running holiday sales and promotions so why not take advantage of the opportunity! Nearly every mall offers gift-wrapping services year round, too, so if you’re thinking of bringing home gifts wrapped in advance to save yourself the trouble, this is for you. And if you’re worried about customs inspectors not being able to see what you are bringing into the country, the gift wrappers can leave one side open so the items can be inspected without ruining the wrapping. at Millennium Hilton Bangkok One of the best places for a scrumptious Christmas Eve dinner is on a cruise boat on the Chao Praya River. Loy Nava Dinner Cruises offer a romantic candlelit dinner which includes a few courses of a traditional Thai meal, which includes a bottle of wine, party hats and novelties and even a Christmas gift. This all takes place on an authentic teakwood rice barge which floats up the Chao Praya River. From its deck, you will see the buildings and palaces of Bangkok floating by, while you are serenaded by traditional Thai music – indeed your ticket to a Thai-style Christmas. For atmosphere, The Peninsula Bangkok and Millennium Hilton Bangkok are recommended for a stunning view of Bangkok. The Chao Praya cruise may be enticing, but if you are looking for true style and elegance, The Peninsula Bangkok and Millennium Hilton Bangkok win hands down especially with their incredible festive offerings. Christmas shopping at Central World Asiatique Christmas may not be traditional to Thailand, but the festivities are as impressive as in any other major city. Stroll along the streets of Bangkok with your friends or loved one and discover the many facets of this extraordinary city. With the Thais’ love of festivities and good cheer of giving presents and striving for peace and harmony, it is easy to see the appeal of a Thai Christmas. SUNDAY ADVENT BUFFET BRUNCH The celebrations begin in earnest on 1 December 2013 with the Sunday Advent Buffet Lunches at FLOW (THB 1,999 nett per person), with oyster being the theme at the first of the lunches, followed by foie gras, king crab and beef. FESTIVE DEAL AT MAYA Starting on 1 December and ending on the 31 December is a special festive deal at the Thai restaurant MAYA, where groups of eight are treated to a complimentary welcome drink plus a 20 percent discount. Specially priced drinks can also be enjoyed over at the Rooftop and THREESIXTY bars, where Happy Hour, from 5pm to 8pm, is being offered on the Signature Drinks List throughout December. FESTIVE MENUS AT PRIME & YUAN On 20 December, there are two more dining events to look out for, the festive a la carte and set menu over at the steakhouse restaurant, Prime and the festive a la carte and set menu at YUAN, the hotel’s Chinese restaurant. The festive brunch over at FLOW (THB 1,999 nett per person) comes just two days later on Sunday, 22 December. ROOFTOP’S FESTIVE PICNIC Christmas Eve brings with it a personal favourite this year – the Rooftop’s newly launched festive picnic under the stars, a must-have for both astrologers and romantics. The picnic (THB 2,000 nett a person) – available both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – is filled to the brim with such festive favourites as smoked goose ham, marinated salmon, king crab, caviar, foie gras terrine, fondue and black cod, and more. The bustling streets of Bangkok Weekendin 124 FLOW’S CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR BUFFETS FLOW’s Christmas Eve buffet dinner (THB 3,500 nett per person), features all manner of traditional highlights and international cuisine. Christmas Day is traditionally a time for family celebrations, and what better way to celebrate than with scrumptious buffet spreads both for lunch and dinner (THB 2,800 nett per person). Beginning on the 29 December, FLOW’s New Year festive buffet brunch (THB 2,800 nett per person) begins, followed by the spoilt-for-choice New Year’s Eve Buffet Indulgence feast (THB 5,900 nett per person), complete with live entertainment from Korea. Also enjoy FLOW’s drinks package, with wines and spirits, for THB 2,000 nett. Also try the Buffet Indulgence (THB 5,900 nett per person) spread over at the Lantern restaurant. NEW YEAR SET MENUS Buffet fWfW"7F