Bike for Dad Won’t be a Public Holiday, Cabinet Rules

[snoop1130]

Bike for Dad Won’t be a Public Holiday, Cabinet Rules
By: Sasiwan Mokkhasen


Cyclists pedal through a Bike for Dad dry run on Nov. 22 in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — Roads will close throughout the capital city and elsewhere for a nationwide cycling event honoring His Majesty the King, but the day won’t be made a public holiday, the junta cabinet decided today.

Despite some hopes that the Bike for Dad event would be cause to add another long weekend to December, a government spokesman today dismissed the idea, as he said officials believe the private sector will support the event, the second since an August cycling event honoring Queen Sirikit, by giving employees the day off.

Promotion for the event has saturated public and private channels, and labor officials Monday said they’ve asked the private sector to let employees join the cycling event without counting it as taking leave.

More than 500,000 registered cyclists are expected to join the ride dedicated to His Majesty the King, whose birthday was Saturday. Taking place at the same time across Thailand and in some major cities aboard, the Bangkok cyclists will be lead by Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn.

National police chief Chakthip Chaijinda today told reporters that police preparing the event’s security plan were confident there would be no incidents or attempts to disrupt the event.

Full Story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1449571013

-- Khaosod English 2015-12-08

[LivinLOS]

I dont think its Thai bashing to say.. What a total cluster <deleted> of epic epic proportions..

Come ride.. But we dont officially give you the day off.. but businesses are encouraged to give a day off.. but may still be open.. but probably not able to do any business..

[djjamie]

Australian Embassy are open, but the road it is on is closed off from 12 midday until 22:00 that night...So if you need to go there on Friday as I do make sure you go before lunch time or it will be a long walk.

[MaxLee]

And how are our dear car drivers gonna go to work now, when the roads are blocked???? Lol...

Edited December 8, 2015 by MaxLee

[tukkytuktuk]

On this auspicious day to honor His Majesty the King you'd think that this would be enough reason for a joyous 4 day holiday, but not for the Big P. Pm Prayuth shows everyone whose boss and calls Friday a normal working day, nothing to celebrate, get back to work slaves.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Great.. mother of all traffic jams to look forward to. Sounds festive.

[sjaak327]

Kind of an ad-hoc decision considering the event is in less than three days

[BigBadGeordie]

Ah, but, only a government spokesman dismissed the idea.

I am sure Uncle Too will come to the rescue and give us all a long weekend in order to bring us more "happy, clappy, nappy, happiness".

[LivinLOS]

Kind of an ad-hoc decision considering the event is in less than three days

Let me guess.. Your new here

[Bluespunk]

Where I work Thursday is going to be a holiday......... I'm guessing lot of people will be calling in sick Friday.

In my case from Samui........

Edited December 8, 2015 by Bluespunk

[BigBadGeordie]

Where I work Thursday is going to be a holiday......... I'm guessing lot of people will be calling in sick Friday.

And Thursday is a holiday for..............Constitution Day........

Not bad for a country without one.

I will never end being amazed NOT!

;-)

[tukkytuktuk]

I can think of 88 reasons to make Friday a national holiday, Prayuth can think of none. Zero.

[Briggsy]

Prayut's administration has some heavy hitting conglomerates backing it. Public holidays cost these companies.

[tukkytuktuk]

Prayut's administration has some heavy hitting conglomerates backing it. Public holidays cost these companies.

The tourism industry would welcome a 4 day break. Sad that some companies controlling the administration can't see that. I was going to go for a long weekend break myself but not now I have to go to work on Friday.

[tukkytuktuk]

Oh well see you at Xmas Pattaya and Koh Samet, until we meet again. I had my heart set on a white sands bungalow overlooking the sea with the girl of my dreams by my side. Wait for me honey! Won't be long, nearly 2 weeks to go.

[MESmith]

My kids school is closed. Refund please!!

[billd766]

My kids school is closed. Refund please!!

My son's school in Khampaeng Phet is closed as well. I think that most of them are up here.

[straycat911]

My school in silom is closed on friday

[madmitch]

If they had any nous at all they would have organised the event on the Thursday public holiday and none of this issue about whether or not a holiday should be declared would have happened.

[taony]

Or last Saturday. Or last Sunday. Or yesterday. Or this Saturday. Or this Sunday.

Edited December 8, 2015 by taony

[Eddy B]

Supposedly my school is open but a lot of the teachers are going to do the bike for dad. God knows what Friday will be like.

[kingalfred]

Not a public holiday but companies are"lent on" to have a holiday. All in aid of what? A bike ride in a city that in 5-10 years time will literally grind to a halt with volume of traffic and the only way to get around will be shanks pony and pushbike

[Wilsonandson]

My kids schools shut. He's so happy about it too. Look's like it's up to the school if they open or not. Cheap of the government to not make it a paid holiday for those employed. Bet the Thai teachers are forced to turn up and clean sh1t. Shame on you Prayut.

[saakura]

My company located on Sathorn finally succumbed to the relentless pressure piled on by the government 'highly encouraging' employers to allow their staff to pay respect to HM and 11th was declared as a holiday this afternoon.

[Kasset Tak]

21 teachers and administrators (including me) from the college where I work will join Bike for Dad so it's not an official holiday but still... Those students who are normally staying in the college dormitory was absent today (about 50% of the students) as they where only scheduled to study today and tomorrow this week, so for them it's 9 days to spend with their families. And last week most students attended Future Farmers of Thailand so no lessons last week either... So some of my students will basically have a total of 16 days off from school!

Edited December 8, 2015 by Kasset Tak

[nong38]

Bit late in the day to come out with this information, should have been decided ages ago, the Thais wont like it another pee up cancelled!

[rubl]

And how are our dear car drivers gonna go to work now, when the roads are blocked???? Lol...

I miay have mis-understood, but I got the impression that driving to work in the morning would be no problem, only getting back the same day

[CWMcMurray]

Anyone have a link on road closures?

I tried searching on line... Could

Only find articles advising "24 roads will be closed" but then they only name 3 of the roads in the article

They also mention "43 cross streets" will be closed... But no names or locations given ???

So I k ow I will be able To Drive to work, but have no idea if I can drive home or not??!

Or maybe just have to drive to work and if find out my road is closed ... Then just have to sit around the office until 10 pm?

Edited December 8, 2015 by CWMcMurray

[sjaak327]

Kind of an ad-hoc decision considering the event is in less than three days

Let me guess.. Your new here

nah, yet sometimes pointing out the obvious is fun.

[NongKhaiKid]

And how are our dear car drivers gonna go to work now, when the roads are blocked???? Lol...

A tailor made excuse on tap, " sorry K. Boss i can't get into work today, very traffic. "