Officially known as King Phutthayotfa Chulalok the Great Day and Chakri Dynasty Memorial Day, the holiday commemorates the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty and the founding of Bangkok by King Phutthayotfa Chulalok in 1782.
To honour the holiday, all government offices are closed, including Phuket Immigration Office, the Employment Offices, the Land Transport Office and District Offices are all closed today.
All main bank branches are closed, but branches in shopping centres remain open.
All Royal Thai Police and Tourist Police stations remain open and some local consulates remain open to serve their respective citizens.
Unlike last year, alcohol sales in Phuket is allowed today.
“The sale of alcohol is permitted on Chakri Day. It is a Royal holiday, but not a Buddhist holiday,” Phuket Provincial Police Commander Col Teeraphol Thipjaroen told The Phuket News.
“I’m not sure what happened last year, maybe alcohol sales was banned as part of a campaign... Police sometimes ask people to refrain from drinking or selling alcohol on auspicious days, but the sale of alcohol is banned on only five days as required by law,” he added.
According to to an announcement by the Prime Minister’s Office on January 22, 2015, the sale of alcohol is prohibited on five specific religious days: Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha Day, Khao Pansa and Wan Org Pansa days. (See story here.)
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