McDonalds For Christmas

The Golden Arches of Christmas Past

The majority of Thai people don’t really celebrate Christmas. For us, Buddhism is ever-present, shaping our lives before we even begin to question our path or the choices we make. Yet, looking back, I’ve never regretted embracing this unique perspective on life.

A friend once asked me, "What do you do over Christmas?" I smiled and replied, "Oh, I’ll cook turkey and a massive pulled pork." Her eyes widened before she rephrased, "No, I mean, what did you do during Christmas in Bangkok?"

That question stirred memories—30 years ago, Bangkok, a life so different yet vividly clear.

My mum never paused for Christmas. Her salon thrived through the season, the sound of "ka-ching" her festive anthem. For a single mother of three, supporting not only her children but also her staff, Christmas was just another busy week. Cooking wasn’t her strength—proudly so—but she had her way of making us feel special.

Photo credit: Monkeyabroad.com

Christmas meant treat time. I’d put on my best clothes—a blue shirt and shorts, oblivious to the festive reds of the season—and we’d skip the sweltering public buses for the air-conditioned luxury bus of the "Por-Or 11." This golden chariot took us from the West to Sukhumvit, Bangkok’s "rich side," crammed so tightly you could smell the breath of the person next to you. But the ride was worth it.

There it stood—the big glowing "M," a beacon of wonder. Underneath, a statue of a man with unnervingly red lips and a smile too wide to be real. McDonald’s. A new era. The food was like magic. Crispy, golden fries and boneless chicken pieces coated in light honey colour batter—otherworldly for a child from our world. But the best part?

You could *choose your sauce*! For Thai kids, choices weren’t everyday luxuries; we were taught to listen and obey.

I nervously approached the sauce counter, mimicking others as if it were a high-stakes exam. I pressed the ketchup nozzle too hard—splat! The crimson mess covered my shirt like I’d just butchered the chicken myself.

Photo Credited:Pinterest Dee from Buymeacoffee.com

I ran back, mortified. My mum laughed, handed me tissues, and told me it was fine. It was my first crime in McDonald’s, but it wouldn’t ruin our day.

Then, as if by magic, a man in a red suit with a white beard approached us. He was slightly out of shape but unmistakable. "Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!" he said, handing me a gift. I passed it to my little sister, convinced this was the real Santa. After all, we were in the "rich side" at a Western restaurant—it had to be him. I followed him, trailing him around tables like a tiny stalker. To me, his presence was the greatest present of all!

Whatever your Christmas meal looks like, alone or with family, find a little magical something. That meal wasn’t just food—it was a portal to something extraordinary, a taste of a world far beyond ours yet so close in that moment.

Here is the aromatic Thai Roast Chicken for you to consider for Christmas.

Thai Roast Chicken

Serves: 2

Ingredients

1.5 kg Whole chicken, prepared and cleaned

1 bulb Garlic, peeled

20 g Coriander

¼ tsp Ground Turmeric

2 tbsp Rapeseed Oil

¾ tsp Sea Salt

½ tsp White pepper

½ tsp Sugar

1 pinch Ground Sea Salt and black pepper to season.

Method

-Blend the garlic, coriander, turmeric, oil, salt, white pepper, and sugar in an electric blender or pound in a pestle and mortar to form a rough paste.

-Using a sharp knife, carefully cut into the joints between the chicken's body and thighs to allow better marination.

-Rub the herb mixture all over the chicken, ensuring to get some under the skin if possible.

-Leave the chicken to marinate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight for enhanced flavour.

-Preheat the oven at then highest temperature of your oven settings for 10 minutes.

-Place the chicken in a baking tray and cover it with foil. Reduce the oven temperature to 190°C and bake for 45 minutes.

-Remove the foil, baste the chicken with its juices, and bake for another 30–40 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked.

-Season further with salt and pepper if required and rest before serving.