There is no snow here to carry Santa's sleigh, and the saffron-robed monks and golden temples are a reminder that this a predominantly Buddhist country.

But it's easy to be confused over its spiritual orientation, because Bangkok embraces Christmas with a fervor that belies its religious traditions. The decorations in downtown Bangkok were extravagant and each time we ventured into another part of the city, there was more to see. But over the course of our trip, the crowds in the shopping areas got noticeably lighter. 

During what would normally be the busiest time of the year, some merchants clearly were feeling the pinch from the airport shutdown and lack of tourists to buy their wares. Often, we were the only ones in a store, and if we left without making a purchase, the shop owners would practically chase us down (politely of course). The upside for us, though, was that the prices for Christmas gifts we were buying got sweeter with each visit. We returned home with an assortment of silk items, handicrafts, home decor and clothing.