Thai holiday breaks in May

BANGKOK Thailand’s commercial sector, banks and government offices enjoy another weekend breaks starting with Coronation Day, 5 May that is  followed by a special holiday, 6 May,  leading into the weekend.

Long-weekend breaks are life-savers for hotels throughout the country and usually there is a spike in travel to neighbouring countries most of it on low-cost airlines.

The 5 May holiday marks the coronation day of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, who is the world’s longest reigning monarch.

Coronation Day is known in Thai as Wan Chatramongkhol. It involves religious and civil ceremonies.

HM the King came to the throne in June 1946, following the death of his elder brother. As he was only 18 at the time, the new monarch returned to Switzerland to complete his studies before returning to Thailand for the official coronation 5 May, 1950.

The coronation anniversary started with making merit or a “tham boon” ceremony 3 May to honour HM the King’s ancestors. Later on the same day, another ceremony was performed, to present flags of honour to distinguished military units.

On 4 May, Buddhist ceremonies  were held in temples around the country.

On 5 May, His Majesty the King, or his selected representative,  conducts a merit making ceremony, presenting offerings to Buddhist monks, and leads a “Wien Thien” ceremony, (walking three times around the courtyard of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha).

In the evening HM the King conducts another sacred ceremony: changing the yellow robe on the Emerald Buddha, the guardian symbol protecting the Thai people.

Reception halls and rooms in the Royal Palace are open to the public on Coronation Day. There are usually big crowds throughout the day at both the temple and palace, as residents and visitors take the opportunity to enter the palace halls and view Royal project exhibitions.

TTR Weekly’s business day news posts resume  Monday 9 May.