Kortan’s cuisine: Easter brunch in Bangkok

Easter mass and brunch in Bangkok 2022.

Last Updated on June 8, 2023 by Ellen

Happy Easter!… from Bangkok, Thailand.

We’ve been here five days already and are settling in nicely. I finally feel like I’m getting over my post-Philippines funk.

And being Holy Week, I sought out the nearest Catholic Church.

Yes, there are Catholic churches in this overwhelmingly Buddhist nation.

In fact, an online check revealed there are 16 Catholic churches within the city of Bangkok.

Nationwide, Thai Catholics number only about 400,000 out of a Thai population of 70 million. That equates to slightly more than one-half of one percent of the total population.

Google maps quickly pinpointed three churches in the vicinity of our AirB&b rental apartment. The closest and most accessible by subway/rail was Holy Redeemer – located right next door to the U.S. embassy.

Holy Redeemer had masses every 90 minutes on Easter Sunday — half in English. I grabbed an air-conditioned cab and paid $1.75 for the 10-minute trip (subway return for $1) to the 11 a.m. service.

The mass was well attended but not completely full, maybe 250 people (about half appeared to be non-Thai), the same as on Good Friday. I sat in the covered outside overflow area at the rear. A constant balmy breeze was most welcome as the mid-day temperatures were over 95 Fahrenheit.

Honestly, I’m not a regular church attendee. But it IS Easter, I have much to be thankful for, and the world currently needs lots of prayers — so it felt right today.

Of course, the experience reminded me of past Easters in other foreign locations. Actually, it’s pretty cool to review the list below and remember the array of cultures and customs — which is exactly why we travel.

  • 2016 – Mahajual, Mexico
  • 2017 – Guatemala City, Guatemala
  • 2018 – Barcelona, Spain
  • 2019 – Nah Trang, Vietnam
  • 2020 – Malay, Aklan, Philippines
  • 2021 – Malay, Aklan, Philippines
  • 2022 – Bangkok, Thailand

After mass — Easter Brunch; somewhat of a personal tradition – but certainly NOT traditional.

Check out the video below to see what was on the menu – and where. Another Easter to remember for sure!

Of course, many people around the world may have enjoyed their first post-COVID Easter brunch today at $30, $40, $50 or more is likely what some have paid in these inflationary times.

My Bangkok brunch is a bargain; 50 baht ($1.50), which itself is up from about $1 when we were in Thailand three years ago.

But still, what better way to enjoy a blazing hot Easter afternoon than with a fresh, spicy, mango salad and cold beer on a plastic stool on a Bangkok backstreet.

As always, be thankful and generous, happy trails & more beer.

Life is NOW!

1 thought on “Kortan’s cuisine: Easter brunch in Bangkok”

  1. Great to see your mojo is back. It would be strange after so long embedded in a community, to hit the road again. May you both stay healthy to enjoy the rest of your lives and adventures.
    World here you come again?
    Amazing to see Bangkok streets empty… Blessings

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