BANGKOK BRACES FOR HOLIDAY SEASON
Last Christmas, a colossal inflatable Santa Claus perched on the BTS skywalk leading to the entrance of Central Embassy, while keeping his eyes on visitors to the luxury mall. It’s back with another giant Santa mischievously resting on the rooftop of adjacent Central Chidlom, to symbolise the festive season at these shopping landmarks, where the “Let’s Celebrate 2019 Together” campaign runs until Jan 17. Not only the jumbos, but a legion of mini Santa Clauses have occupied Central Embassy, whose winter wonderland welcomes kids and adults alike. On Central Embassy Level G, a colourful playground features a 7m-tall inflatable Santa for children to slide down before playing in a ball pit. The nearby Santa’s Square houses a pop-up ice-cream bar and a post station to send season’s greetings to anyone in Thailand free of charge. Other attractions include the 3m-tall Snow Globe at Santa’sGrotto on Level 2, Christmas Village on Level 5, and Santa’s Workshops and Xmas Market at Open House on Level 6. The sky-link from Central Embassy into Central Chidlom has been decorated with countless Santas and stars and renamed the Holiday Tunnel. Snow machines have been installed at the Snow Globe, as well as certain entrances to Central Chidlom. There is also a huge Christmas tree in its Piano Hall, and Bangkok’s tallest one, towering 30m-high, in Morakot Car Park. At these locations, the weather forecast predicts a 10-minute blizzard that kicks off each hour, from noon until 8pm, prime time for selfies against a Christmas scene.