For Thailand People, and Thais living all over the world, Chakri Day holds a special occasion on which they celebrate their very own Royal Foundation, the founding of Chakri Dynasty which dates back to more than two centuries when the capital city Bangkok was initially established.
The day falls on 6th April each year and is a marked public holiday. In case it falls on a wekkend the holiday is substituted by the following Monday. Following is a detailed account about what chakri day is and how it is celebrated.
Chakri Day Chronicle
The day is officially called Chakri Memorial Day or The King Yodfa Chulaloke the great day, it observes the founding and establishment of the great Chakri Dynasty in 1782 by Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke. He was also known as King Rama I and has declared Bangok, then called Krung Thep, capital of Siam (now Thailand). The day commemorates the coronation and contributions of King Rama I along with all the following Kings of the Royal family. So far 10 royal candidates have been coronated as the king and King Vajiralongkom (Rama X) currently sits on the throne, following sad demise of his father King Bhumibol Adulyadej in October 2016.
Rituals And Celebrations Of Chakri Day
The day is celebrated with enormous enthusiasm in the Royal family and all the government offices, banks and schools are declared close. Other normal business open as usual and are unaffected by the celebrations. The day falls three days before the national festival Songkran and thus sees many faces travelling in festivities preparation.
The main attraction of the day was the celebration in the Royal Family. The King along with other royal family members supervises the religious ceremonies that commemorate the contributions of the dynasty. The King pays a visit to Royal Pantheon to offer a wreath to King Rama I’s statue and pay his respects to his predecessors. The Pantheon houses life sizes statues of the previous kings of Chakri dynasty.