This Christmas in Thailand you may want to come join an unlikely, yet very traditional Christmas celebration. The Star of David Festival will be held in Tha Rae village, Sakon Nakhon during 24 and 25 December 2010.

Santa Claus is a busy man, he has to travel around the world to see who’s naughty or nice and to bring his gifts. Santa, never a man to miss a stop, will be sure to also make it to Thailand, including Sakon Nakhon to visit hundreds of children in Tha Rae village.

Tha Rae village or Baan Tha Rae is home to a Catholic institute where priests are trained and ordained and Christmas holds special meaning to the resident Christians who can track their ascendants back to Vietnam War.

Tha Rae village also boasts the impressive St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral and seats a Bishop who takes care of about 5,000 Christian devotees from nearby provinces: Kalasin, Mukdahan, and Nakhon Phanom.

The Star of David Festival features resident’s parading “Stars of David” and carrying nativity scenes and other displays emblematic of the season. To add to the Christmas atmosphere, there will be carol singing on stage and decorations lining the streets and shops.

Many houses will be decorated with colorful lights and decorations with some remaining for months after the festival.

Tha Rae village is just off highway 22, north of Nong Han lake. The lake is the largest natural reservoir in northeastern Thailand and is well-known for great fishing.

Visitors to Star of David Festival may also be interested in traveling to neighboring provinces like Nakhon Phanom to visit the local Vietnamese community and bustling night market. In the city of Nakhon Phanom you can hire private transportation to enjoy temples and historical sites, such as the residence of Ho Chi Minh who found refuge in a teak house on the outskirts of town during the French & Indochina War.

Nok Air provides a convenient way to get to Sakon Nakhon by offering daily flights from Bangkok. There is also regular air-conditioned bus service from Bangkok or you may want to hire a car from the Khon Kaen airport or railway station and drive east to Sakon Nakhon.

For more information, please contact:
Nong Saeng Christian Church, Sakon Nakhon
Phone: +664 271 1272

TAT Northeastern office
Phone: +664251 3490-2

By Suttira Kaewthep