October holidays clarification

[Brunolem]

Since I will have to renew my visa later this month, I have to adjust my planning with the local calendar.

In order to do that, I just contacted the local immigration office who informed me that they will be closed for holidays on Monday 23rd, and on Thursday 26th.

I then contacted the Thai Consulate in Savannakhet where I was told that they would be closed on Monday 23rd, but open on Thursday 26th, even though I asked them to double check.

Monday 23rd is not an issue, it is an official holiday that comes back every year at the same date.

But what about Thursday 26th which is going to be the Royal Funeral day?

Does anyone know the official position regarding that day, and the Royal Funeral event in general?

Is it possible that administrations in the country would be closed while those abroad would remain open?

Any clarification would be appreciated.

[jeab1980]

Simple answer go the week before the week of the 16th. the 26th is indeed a public holiday in Thialand i would expect whoever you talked to was not Thai. I really can not imagine for one second any Thai Embassy or Consulate will be open on cremation day.

 

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, Brunolem said:

Is it possible that administrations in the country would be closed while those abroad would remain open?

It is very common for embassies and consulates not to be closed on some Thai holidays. They have to balance the number of local holidays with Thai holidays.

The embassy in Vientiane and the consulate in Vientiane are not the only ones that are going to be open on the 26th.

[ubonjoe]

48 minutes ago, jeab1980 said:

I really can not imagine for one second any Thai Embassy or Consulate will be open on cremation day.

They will be open on the 26th. See my previous post.

 

[jeab1980]

13 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

They will be open on the 26th. See my previous post.

 

Time will tell. I would still suggest go the week before.

[Brunolem]

As a matter of fact there are many holidays in Laos in October, starting with this week Friday 6th, then next week Friday 13th, then Monday 23rd, which may be the reason why they will be open on the 26th, as explained by ubonjoe above.

 

Anyway, as long as they are open on 24th and 25th, that will be enough time to get a visa.

 

Going the week before would make me lose 8 days of my extension of stay, which doesn't come for cheap...

[midas]

To add to the confusion the following article refers to the 26th as being a national holiday. Wouldn't that include for every ThaI everywhere?

Quote

The actual royal funeral ceremony for His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej will be held on October 26th at Sanam Luang, Bangkok which will also be a national holiday.

 

 

http://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/news/the-royal-cremation-notices-your-guide-to-an-october-in-mourning/

[kingstonkid]

For those that have not served in a dip post, this can be very confusing.

 

Just as the brit, aus and American embassies hire thai staff so do the Thais when they are in another country.

 

The deal is this each country or embassy has a set number of days that they can be closed for holidays.  They then look at a calendar and look at what are the most important days

 

Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter the countries birthday, for Brits the queens birthday are the main

 

They then look at the most important Holidays of the country and usually along with the senior staff of that country decide on what days will be holidays and what days staff will work.

 

While the Thai embassy may be open on the day of the cremation I can assure you that it would be foolish to go there that day.

 

Instead of doing any meaningful work I am sure that they will have a service to honour the King or be following along with a diplomatic protocol set out by the gov't.

 

When Princess Diana died there were numerous services and activities at the BHC but it technically was still open.

 

Bottom line they may be open but that does not mean they will be doing much in the way of visas that day.

[Brunolem]

I agree that going on the 26th may not be a good idea, but anyway my plan is to go on the 24th.

 

I just wanted to make sure that the Royal Funeral holiday was only the 26th, that is only one day.

 

[George FmplesdaCosteedback]

On 02/10/2017 at 8:07 PM, kingstonkid said:

For those that have not served in a dip post, this can be very confusing.

 

Just as the brit, aus and American embassies hire thai staff so do the Thais when they are in another country.

 

The deal is this each country or embassy has a set number of days that they can be closed for holidays.  They then look at a calendar and look at what are the most important days

 

Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter the countries birthday, for Brits the queens birthday are the main

 

They then look at the most important Holidays of the country and usually along with the senior staff of that country decide on what days will be holidays and what days staff will work.

 

While the Thai embassy may be open on the day of the cremation I can assure you that it would be foolish to go there that day.

 

Instead of doing any meaningful work I am sure that they will have a service to honour the King or be following along with a diplomatic protocol set out by the gov't.

 

When Princess Diana died there were numerous services and activities at the BHC but it technically was still open.

 

Bottom line they may be open but that does not mean they will be doing much in the way of visas that day.

Well, if you have been in the Diplomatic Service for the UK you would know the Queen's regular birthday (either of them) has never been a public holiday, only Jubilees have been.

 

 

[jeab1980]

On 02/10/2017 at 7:07 PM, Brunolem said:

As a matter of fact there are many holidays in Laos in October, starting with this week Friday 6th, then next week Friday 13th, then Monday 23rd, which may be the reason why they will be open on the 26th, as explained by ubonjoe above.

 

Anyway, as long as they are open on 24th and 25th, that will be enough time to get a visa.

 

Going the week before would make me lose 8 days of my extension of stay, which doesn't come for cheap...

8 days doesnt come cheap?. Makes no sense but your choice good luck.

[kingstonkid]

18 hours ago, George FmplesdaCosteedback said:

Well, if you have been in the Diplomatic Service for the UK you would know the Queen's regular birthday (either of them) has never been a public holiday, only Jubilees have been.

 

 

Not UK I am Canadian.