THAIS COMMEMORATE KING CHULALONGKORN'S DAY

People from all walks of life, mostly government units and private business sectors, joined wreath-laying ceremonies nationwide this morning to commemorate the death of King Rama V, or King Chulalongkorn the Great, 95 years ago.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Cabinet members will lay wreaths on the same occasion at the King’s equestrian statue at the Dusit Palace Plaza at 4 p.m. today, to be followed by a merit making ceremony at 5 p.m. at the Amarindra Vinichai Throne Hall in the Grand Palace, to be presided over by Their Majesties the King and Queen.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday called to the memory of the Thai people the benevolence of King Rama V, who was the founder of most of the present progress with the royal far-sightedness.

King Chulalongkorn, the grandfather of His Majesty King Bhumibol, died on October 23rd, 1910 at the age of 58, after having ruled the country for 42 years. His most remembered achievement is the abolition of slavery, which he had carried out in steps and came to a complete success in 1905 when he promulgated a law to free all slaves. A Penal Code was enacted in 1908 containing a provision punishing the crime of enslavement.

Other royal achievements included a grand-scale bureaucratic reform, establishment of educational system, the construction of numerous roads and bridges, and establishment of the railway system and the postal service.

Because of those numerous achievements beneficial to the Thai society, Thai people contributed money to the construction of the King’s equestrian statue at the Dusit Palace. The statue made by a French sculptor was unveiled by King Chulalongkorn himself in 1908.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันอาทิตย์ที่ 23 ตุลาคม 2548

Does this mean that the bars won't be selling alcohol today? I have a holiday tomorrow so it would be nice to go out for dinner and watch some football.

Does everyone have a holiday tomorrow ? .. i dont .. is it kinda risky step on the part of the company ??