Photo courtesy of Seward Johnson Atelier

The Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) would like to extend their harmonious greetings to the Kingdom of Thailand in commemoration of their National Day this December 5, 2023.

Photo courtesy of PEOPLE

The Kingdom of Thailand will celebrate a couple of holidays on December 5, marking the birthday of His Majesty late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was known as the longest reigning monarchy in Thailand. His birthday is observed as Father's Day, which is also a public holiday in Thailand. In addition, the United Nations General Assembly declared the same day as the “World Soil Day '' as a tribute to His late Majesty’s lifelong work on sustainable soil management, with this year’s theme: “Soil and Water: a source of life.”

Photo courtesy of United Nations

The history of Thailand National Day is rooted in the revision of their government form, in which the people of Thailand originally celebrated their national day every June 24. Later in 1960, the people of Thailand began celebrating their National Day every December 5 in remembrance of the change from absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.

Photo courtesy of World Expo 2020

Photo courtesy of Fan Club Thailand

The holiday is festive in its nature since Thais usually decorate their homes and public establishments with lights and colorful ornaments together with flags and portraits of late King Bhumibol. Candle lighting ceremonies and fireworks displays are usually done in the evening at cultural sites such as in the Grand Palace Complex, where people watch from the streets around Ratchadamnoen and Sanam Luang. Likewise, Thais celebrate their Father’s Day by giving gifts to their fathers and taking them to places where they go around.

References

  • Bunnag, N. (2023, July 9). National Day becomes Thailand’s latest political dividing point. Thai PBS World : The Latest Thai News in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in Both Thai and English. We Bring Thailand to the World. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/national-day-becomes-thailands-latest-political-dividing-point/
  • McDonald, V. (2021, November 30). Thailand’s National Day is Happening December 5 - Washingtonian. Washingtonian - The website that Washington lives by. https://www.washingtonian.com/2021/11/29/thailands-national-day-is-happening-december-5/
  • Shell. (2023, October 20). Thailand public holidays in the Year of the Rabbit 2023. TRIP.COM. https://www.trip.com/blog/thailand-public-holidays-in-the-year-of-the-rabbit/