Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Following today’s Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok, royal astrologers have predicted a bumper rice crop and abundant supplies of food. In a country where superstitions and old traditions still play a part in everyday life, the forecast is based on two royal oxen eating rice and hay out of seven food offerings.
Although the day isn’t [...]
Thailand Public Holiday: Coronation Day
May 5th is a holiday in Thailand as it marks the Coronation Day of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Known in Thai as Wan Chatramongkhol (Coronation Day), banks and government offices in Thailand are closed today.
The world’s longest reigning monarch, King Bhumibol actually came to the throne in 1946, but the coronation was delayed until May [...]
Stand Up for the King (Part 2)
I’ve written before about the Thai royal family and in particular the affection and devotion most Thais have for their king and queen. As Swiss man, Oliver Jufer found out, insulting the king is a criminal offence and as resident in Thailand for over a decade, Jufer knew the consequences of his actions. The offence [...]
Stand up for the King (part 1)
A Thai man faces possible criminal conviction for failing to stand up when the royal anthem was played at a cinema in Bangkok. In theory he could be found guilty of lese majeste under the Criminal Code, but it’s more likely that a lesser charge may be brought. Although the event happened last September, charges [...]
Chakri Day
Today is Chakri Day in Thailand and as it falls on a Sunday this year, tomorrow is a public holiday in lieu. April 6th marks the founding day of the royal Chakri Dynasty of which the present Thai monarch, Bhumibol Adulyadej, is the ninth king (Rama IX).
On Chakri Day, the king and other members of [...]
Haze and Smog in Chiang Mai and the North
In the last week or so, Chiang Mai and the north of Thailand have been experiencing the usual hazy weather they get at this time of the year. The haze and smog in Chiang Mai is nowhere near as bad as it was last year, but it is still enough of a problem for the [...]
Thailand Mourns Death of Princess
In the early hours of Wednesday January 2nd, Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana lost her battle with abdominal cancer. Aged 84, Princess Galyani was the older sister of Thailand’s current monarch, King Bhumibol. Born in London on May 6th 1923, Princess Galyani had spells living in Germany, Switzerland and the USA.
Tourists already in [...]