Valentine's Day is huge in Thailand. Thai love to celebrate and I think that's generally true in SE Asia. Tastes also run to the sentimental, much of which we might dismiss as kitsch. Taiwan Airlines has an airplane painted with "Hello Kitty" complete with pictures. The Taipei Airport has themed lounges along the concourse and one of those is also "Hello Kitty" decorated. Christmas is big in Buddhist Thailand, again because of the opportunity to celebrate, Good Friday not so much. Even back in 1961 when I was in Tokyo at Christmas time, there were Santa Clauses on the street. When I was teaching in Thailand on Valentine's Day the students would see how many heart stickers they could attach to me. Likewise, they like to make a fuss over birthdays.
All this reminds me that I should be in Thailand now instead of cranking up a cold car on subzero mornings.
Takk for alt,
Al
This picture from my school farewell in 2016 shows the Christmas bulletin board.
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