Next Friday, 5 Dec, is the National Holiday celebrating the King's Birthday. This will be my first big holiday in T''land so don't know what to expect as far as shop closings, govt offices, banks, parades down the main street to ThaPae Gate, fireworks at night...what happens and how could events affect me. What's your experience?

re

parades down the main street to ThaPae Gate,

in dec 12 the army police navy schools colleges unis etc had a huge parade with marching bands from the goveners house to thaphae gate and had a ceremony there

they then marched round the moat past chiang mai gate to a tribute show of the kings life in buak hard park

what they will do this year , where or when ? ive no idea

dave2

Bars are open selling of alcohol is legal.

There's a lot of drum practice and screaming into microphones in Huay Keow Rd. Maybe rehearsals?

parades down the main street to ThaPae Gate,......in dec 12 the army police navy schools colleges unis etc had a huge parade with marching bands from the goveners house to thaphae gate and had a ceremony there

they then marched round the moat past chiang mai gate to a tribute show of the kings life in buak hard park

I'm confused. December 5th is the date for the King's Bday.....and does anybody here actually know if they do any parades on that day (and, if so, when and where?).

December 10th is Constitution Day. As for what happened on December 12th last year, I have no clue and don't remember anything happening here then.

I'd note that Kad Suan Kaew (the old mall) is setting up a stage for their usual ceremonies for the King's Bday.

Bars are open selling of alcohol is legal.

Thanks, that's the really important info for me lol.

I don't think they do much for the King's birthday, but it seems to me that there is a ceremony at Thapae Gate early in the morning. I'm pretty sure that the King himself requested that there be no ban on alcohol sales on his birthday, but it has not stopped the police from enforcing a ban anyway, from time to time, in the past.

parades down the main street to ThaPae Gate,......in dec 12 the army police navy schools colleges unis etc had a huge parade with marching bands from the goveners house to thaphae gate and had a ceremony there

they then marched round the moat past chiang mai gate to a tribute show of the kings life in buak hard park

I'm confused. December 5th is the date for the King's Bday.....and does anybody here actually know if they do any parades on that day (and, if so, when and where?).

December 10th is Constitution Day. As for what happened on December 12th last year, I have no clue and don't remember anything happening here then.

I'd note that Kad Suan Kaew (the old mall) is setting up a stage for their usual ceremonies for the King's Bday.

I think he means the king's birthday in December 2012.

re

I think he means the king's birthday in December 2012.

i did

the stages and a few display frames have been put up at thaphae gate so theres something going to be happening there !

dave2

ps ... pics taken this morning !

I think he means the king's birthday in December 2012.

i did

Sorry, that does make sense now that I re-read it.

Just walked around the moat and the only other preparations I saw was the small stage (or maybe only a display area) erected at Kad Suan Kaew.

Just read that there's some music starting at JJ Market at 3PM and then a medium-sized parade that starts for Thaphae Gate at 4:20PM. I now remember seeing this last year and there were several banners honoring the king, a couple of elephants, a couple of bands, several groups of hilltribe people, various international groups, etc. Fairly nice.

Apparently, the local/official event starts at Thaphae Gate at 5:30 PM with some events, topped off by a mass sing-along of the national anthem at the usual time (6PM) and apparently some more unknown events (presentation of gifts to the king, speeches, dancing, and fireworks) thereafter.

Just read that there's some music starting at JJ Market at 3PM and then a medium-sized parade that starts for Thaphae Gate at 4:20PM. I now remember seeing this last year and there were several banners honoring the king, a couple of elephants, a couple of bands, several groups of hilltribe people, various international groups, etc. Fairly nice.

Apparently, the local/official event starts at Thaphae Gate at 5:30 PM with some events, topped off by a mass sing-along of the national anthem at the usual time (6PM) and apparently some more unknown events (presentation of gifts to the king, speeches, dancing, and fireworks) thereafter.

This event is actually going to be on Wednesday, 3 December and not on the actual King's Birthday for reasons I don't understand. Otherwise, the timetable is as CMBob described and foreigners are encouraged to participate to show their respect for the King. Events get underway Wednesday at 3 pm at JJ Market.

Just read that there's some music starting at JJ Market at 3PM and then a medium-sized parade that starts for Thaphae Gate at 4:20PM. I now remember seeing this last year and there were several banners honoring the king, a couple of elephants, a couple of bands, several groups of hilltribe people, various international groups, etc. Fairly nice.

Apparently, the local/official event starts at Thaphae Gate at 5:30 PM with some events, topped off by a mass sing-along of the national anthem at the usual time (6PM) and apparently some more unknown events (presentation of gifts to the king, speeches, dancing, and fireworks) thereafter.

This event is actually going to be on Wednesday, 3 December and not on the actual King's Birthday for reasons I don't understand. Otherwise, the timetable is as CMBob described and foreigners are encouraged to participate to show their respect for the King. Events get underway Wednesday at 3 pm at JJ Market.

Yep, sorry about that....didn't bother reading the date because I presumed it was on the actual date of the King's birthday. But just did again and can confirm it's Wednesday the 3rd (thanks, Nancy).

As far as holidays go, it's not a huge deal in Chiang Mai in terms of actual celebrations or fun.

It's mostly a day off for people working banks or offices, much like Constitution Day on the 10th.

And for children to do something nice for dad for Father's Day. (Though my kids will have to wait with that as I plan to give myself a present in Pattaya)

The next Thai holiday that will actually be a party and worth joining will be Songkran. (Unless you count New Years Eve)

re

Just read that there's some music starting at JJ Market at 3PM and then a medium-sized parade that starts for Thaphae Gate at 4:20PM.

it did

dave2

All of the main activities happened yesterday the 2nd. In Bangkok as well. There is usually not much in terms of activities on the King's birthday as the others pointed out.

I've heard rumours that the bars will be dry today - I'm hoping someone (who owns a bar?) can put this rumour to rest

I've heard rumours that the bars will be dry today - I'm hoping someone (who owns a bar?) can put this rumour to rest

NOT a rumor, FACT. Just confirmed.

I've heard rumours that the bars will be dry today - I'm hoping someone (who owns a bar?) can put this rumour to rest

NOT a rumor, FACT. Just confirmed.

Wife and I have a friend who works in one of the more popular bars on loi kroh. We went out to Tawang Daeng 3 nights ago. I asked her about possible closings....and she said yes...they would be closed.

However, I have also seen groups of farangs drinking in bars that paid off the police, for exclusion. That was not in CM, but Nana, Bk.

I am sure you will find a drink....somewhere.

Goodluck. Consider this a "Mission"

Report back.

There are places open today where you can get a drink, if you know where to go.

Was at Western House restaurant near Ruam Choc last night and they confirmed they will be open as normal with alcohol sales.

Maybe not now that it has been put on the Internet.

Was at Western House restaurant near Ruam Choc last night and they confirmed they will be open as normal with alcohol sales.

If they are a hotel AND have a hotel license as such, they are exempt.

I've heard rumours that the bars will be dry today - I'm hoping someone (who owns a bar?) can put this rumour to rest

NOT a rumor, FACT. Just confirmed.

So, the BiB go against the request of the Main Man?

Yes. Even the Bangkok police have announced that it's a celebration, and have advised business as usual.

However, Chiang Mai police apparently just see it as an opportunity to extract some money, and outpope the Pope.

So some places will be open, but most bars will just close and not have to deal with this BS.

Sad.

I've heard rumours that the bars will be dry today - I'm hoping someone (who owns a bar?) can put this rumour to rest

NOT a rumor, FACT. Just confirmed.

So, the BiB go against the request of the Main Man?

Always. Corruption rules..

I've heard rumours that the bars will be dry today - I'm hoping someone (who owns a bar?) can put this rumour to rest

NOT a rumor, FACT. Just confirmed.

So, the BiB go against the request of the Main Man?

Always. Corruption rules..

Seems very disrespectful to me. Just like all the rice farmers around me who every year seem to choose 5th December to torch their fields.....

Yes. Even the Bangkok police have announced that it's a celebration, and have advised business as usual.

However, Chiang Mai police apparently just see it as an opportunity to extract some money, and outpope the Pope.

So some places will be open, but most bars will just close and not have to deal with this BS.

Sad.

A friend of mine who runs a small bar told me that there is no law requiring bars to close and banning alcohol sells today, but the police made the rounds yesterday and "requested" that bars close. Clearly these requests are taken seriously.

As you so aptly put it, the BIB are trying to outpope the pope. I have no idea why.

Yes. Even the Bangkok police have announced that it's a celebration, and have advised business as usual.

However, Chiang Mai police apparently just see it as an opportunity to extract some money, and outpope the Pope.

So some places will be open, but most bars will just close and not have to deal with this BS.

Sad.

A friend of mine who runs a small bar told me that there is no law requiring bars to close and banning alcohol sells today, but the police made the rounds yesterday and "requested" that bars close. Clearly these requests are taken seriously.

As you so aptly put it, the BIB are trying to outpope the pope. I have no idea why.

2008 December 5 and August 12 were taken off the no alcohol sell list. Do a google search.

In Pattaya , business as usual , all the bars are open.