I hate this time of year... have done now for a long time. I've found it false, a fraud and downright lie. Whenever has the world changed just because December 31st becomes January 1st? This year all due to circumstances beyond my control I stayed in Bangkok for the festive period, normally I would escape ( for want of a better word) back to the UK, to a British winter and see family and friends. However the snow in Northern Europe and the British continued failure to be able to deal with anything that is not in the expected normal weather patten, put all my best laid plans down the drain.

My flight was due to leave on the 21st, but already flights for the proceeding two day had been cancelled and the chances of mine arriving at LHR ( Hearthrow, London) were slightly less on witnessing the alledged second coming of Jesus, so I took it upon myself to contact both the airline and travel agent well in advance. My proposal was simple, why not postpone my travel to a more suitable time? Simple don't you think?.... Well no....I thought better to suffer and submit to a Bangkok Christmas and New Year, than to be left in limbo, or at some netrual airport without a clue when a flight might complete my travel plans.

The airline ( no names) were amazed that I could understand there was a problem and were doing their best to understand, but still wanted to channel me down the cancellation route! The travel agent offered an email contact and a single phone number to call ( at some hellish call rate) and obviously could , would and were not capable of answering for at least 5 hours and I'd expect close to £200 quid later a simple message of " We are experencing a larger than expected demand and please try later".... aka Island Volcano syndrome, which has still yet to be resolved!

In short I sent both agent and airline an email 2 days before my due travel date. The airline responded within a few hours, wanting all the normal details and then adding they will nedd to talk to my travel agent of booking for terms and conditions. The travel agents.... well I got a reply from them 2 days after I was due to fly!... this is a world wide organisation!!!

Thus I was here in Thailand over the festive period for the first time. I am very synical of the full on in your face sell me any thing festive from the end of October onwards as its now become in many countries. I must be a founder member of keep Christmas in December, but still out here it is a little bit less in your face than it would be in the West, but lets not let a selling opportunity be missed by an economy that is looking to hike up its flogging of anything in its drive to enter the next level in the league of nations.

I quite enjoyed the experience, much less ads on tv, radio, mail, email and any other form of flogging media, it was much more low key ( to my delight) though there were a few bold sales persons willing to sell me their idea of Christmas at many a shopping mail, which were simple and easy to laugh off.

I purchased a little tree ( with lights) and few decorations, with lights for the outside and a smattering of other Christmas jingle jangle, all very much to my Thai partner who realy seemed to enjoy the glitz of the period. Even my suggestion of midnight mass on the 24th was accepted with a smile, and to be fair she loved the whole package, an exchange of gifts, carols, music, dinner the package.... Bloody hell us farangs have culture as well!!!!

So Christmas came and went, then on to New Year, which was going to be at my partners home ground, so to speak. The x hours drive, with everyone to do a Thai get together, ok I was settled to do this and had no problem with it. Then 2 days before, the phone rings and can I fit in some emergency work?... I discussd this with my partner, we talked about the whole thing, but surprising or maybe not, the salary offered for me to work was considered far more important than a family get together..... let me take a step back.... I know money talks at times, but I have become disapointed in many Thai's love of the money issue above everything else, sadly I fear they will get burnt on the love of money trip, just like us westerners have done in the past. So with it agreed that I will work, the girlfriend , now wishes to go to her temple for a few days worship.......... I consider myself a supportive partner,and fully accepted her wishes, to even help support the trip and see her of at Victory Monument on Friday am.

She departs Friday am with some of her family, and I now set my plans for the weekend. Bangkok is quiet... actually very quiet, I like it!! In short I spend time with old friends, we see the weekend and New Year in in a social and relaxed manner, I travel all over Bangkok with ease and a breeze, enjoy a very social Dec 31st and after letting off a bit of steam ( with all the correct respect), I make it back home at 5am New Years day, a little worse for wear, but still in charge of all my faculties.

My pet hate was everyone wishing me a happy new near, hours before the clock made it to midnight... sorry I'm old school, the new years starts the moment Big Ben gives us it first chime. Then its tribute to those lost to us and those whom are away elsewhere, doing there own thing. I am fed up to the back teeth of being greeted by Happy New Year by anyone and everyone who really has no idea on what its all about!

Ian