Celebrating Christmas in a traditional mock-Tudor English country pub is nothing new, except when it is located on a tropical island in Southern Thailand.

For those westerners on Phuket who would prefer to celebrate in a more traditional Christmas style, there is a corner of the island which shall be forever England.

All the Yuletide festivities, turkey and trimmings, can be found at the Green Man Pub in Chalong, complete with Christmas Pantomime and Father Christmas. This is an ideal place to bring the children to ensure they don’t miss out on the type of Christmas they would normally enjoy back home.

The Only Real Pub in Phuket

The Green Man is the only Tudor-style English Pub in Asia and its upstairs, Carte Blanche restaurant, is listed as one of Keith Floyd’s top five restaurant’s of the world. The pub is hailed by the Phuket Island Guide as “a must see, the only real pub in Phuket” (Feb 2002.)

Its three floors of mock-Tudor architecture with wooden beams and old-world furnishings is based on photographs of medieval originals.

For Phuket’s expatriate population, the Green Man is well known for its hospitality and family atmosphere. It is one of the few truly child and pet friendly watering holes on the island. Whether a regular or a recent arrival just stepped-of the plane, everyone is made to feel welcome. The Green Man mantra is “consider us your local pub away from home”

The pub commemorates all English holidays and traditions such as Easter and Guy Fawkes night. Christmas and New Year are no exception.

Christmas Celebrations at The Green Man

At midnight on Christmas Eve everyone will celebrate by singing along with the carol singers, who have travelled up from Hat Yai, especially for the occasion. The 24th December is also Mafia night ,when patrons are encouraged to wear something black, Al Capone Style.

Free spaghetti and meatballs will be served up just before midnight, to see in Christmas Day. The pub's regular live band will be paying tribute to Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra and encouraging guests to Jitterbug and do the Charleston.

A traditional Turkey or a Fish dinner is available from the A La Carte menu, for those who prefer their Christmas Fayre on the evening of 24th.

There are continued festivities on Christmas Day, from opening to closing time. The two sittings of Christmas Dinner at noon and 7pm, include a ‘kidzs’ option. The free Christmas table, laden with goodies, such as gingerbread men, brandied fruits and European cookies is available all day, and Father Christmas will make a special guest appearance.

Perhaps the most well known Boxing Day event on the whole of Phuket is the pub's hilarious (oh-no-he-didn't, oh-yes-he-did) traditional Christmas pantomime. This year it's Mother Goose, performed by the Rawai Players, a local amateur dramatic group.

New Year's Eve Celebrations

For New Year there is a special ‘Old Year’s Night Menu’ and a celebrity fancy dress party to see in the New Year. 'Tina Turner' is also expected to make a special guest appearance.

For families vacationing in Thailand at this seasonal time, it is often difficult to provide the kids with a 'real' taste of Christmas. However, taking part in the celebrations at the Green Man will ensure a memorable experience for everyone.

Location

The Green Man is located in the peaceful, residential area of Chalong, approximately 5 kilometers from Kata, on the main Chalong-Kata road. A mini bus pick-up service is available by prior arrangement for those staying in hotels.

For more details of their Christmas programme and location map, visit the Green Man website.