A quiet Christmas in mostly-Buddhist Thailand
NOEL LACKEY JR
Athlone man Noel Lackey, a son of Noel and Ann, has been living in Thailand for the last nine years, having moved there in late 2013. He is married to a Thai woman, Angkana.
What are some of the best and worst things about life in Thailand?
The best things about living here are year-round sunshine, cheap living, and the people, who are very friendly with a relaxed attitude towards life. It's amazing what €20 can get you in the supermarket here.
The worst thing is the traffic. Going somewhere that is a 10-minute drive away might take 30 minutes with traffic. Going to my wife Angkana's hometown takes six hours on a normal day, but during holiday periods it can take up to ten hours due to the amount of people travelling back home.
What has 2022 been like for you?
It has been a good year. I run a business here, and it has thrived throughout the year. We were fortunate enough to be able to continue on throughout the pandemic but this year we have seen a major boost in sales and new projects coming in. In July, I was able to travel home to Ireland for a couple of weeks. It was my first trip home in two and a half years, and it was nice to see all of my family and friends and see some normality in the world again.
How do you plan to spend Christmas Day this year?
When I am in Thailand for Christmas, I always travel to Angkana's hometown, Khon Kaen, in the Northeast. As I mentioned, during holiday periods it can be a long drive, but when we get there it's a nice, quiet country area so we are able to relax. Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist country, so they don't celebrate Christmas in the traditional way, but we'll have a small party and hand out gifts to the family members and children that live there.
What are some of the things you will miss most about Christmas in Ireland?
I'll miss being with my family and friends, but thanks to modern technology we never feel too far away. I might also miss the turkey, as it is sometimes hard to find here!
Is there any message you would like to send to your friends or family reading this?
I would like to wish all of my family and friends a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2023. It won't be too long before we see each other again.