December 2017

[frequent]

Any tourist hoping for a merry christmas 2017 in Thailand should take note of the dates mentioned in this story http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1208069/royal-funeral-planned-for-late-december

[arsenal]

A useful post frequent. Plenty of notice and the country will virtually close down for those five days.

[mahjongguy]

Those five days preceded by a weekend, followed by a weekend, followed by New Years Day.

Adds up to ten. Travelers and locals will definitely need to plan accordingly.

[fountainhall]

I doubt if it will impact tourists much, although the local TV channels will have saturation coverage and some Thais from outside Bangkok will come to the capital and probably book hotel rooms. I certainly don't see the country closing down!

Remember there was virtually no disruption during the last major cremation of the King's sister, Princess Galyani, which took place between 14 and 19 November 2008, I can't see there will much this time. Remember, too, that the cremation itself only covers one day - December 26. Events on the other days basically take place privately inside the Grand Palace Throne Hall. The only major disruption, apart from to traffic around Sanam Luang, is likely to be the closure of the Grand Palace complex to tourists. I certainly don't expect there will be 5 extra days of public holiday! One at most.

[Oliver]

Thanks; dates to avoid....even more so than Songkran!
By the way, do we know the dates of the coronation yet? that's another few days to avoid.

[arsenal]

The bars were told to close for three days during the Kings sisters" funeral. Most reopened by the second day and all ignored the third. However this is likely to be a whole new level. A once in a generation event that is likely to be fully milked.

[Steve1903]

Hmm, definitely won't be booking those dates.

[frequent]

Yet another reason for the junta to delay the election. The coronation will provide another.

[fountainhall]

Apologies! I was not considering the bars and booze when I read the OP and its attachment.

[BonTong]

In Chiang Mai, my recollections of the Sister's cremation in 2008 were the bars and many restaurants were shut for a full three days. A lot of restaurant and bar workers are from villages well outside the city. They take the opportunity to go home - even if owners wanted to open on the third day they'd have no staff!

Conversely, out in the villages life continues as normal on no booze/entertainment days. Most people drink at home so they just stock up and many shops ignore the ban anyway.

[Dalewood]

I wonder how many of the barboys will take the opportunity to visit relatives in the rural areas.

[alipatt]

As i am now going to live in Siem Reap from the end of this month could I respectfully suggest it as an alternate venue should international travelers not be able to Drink for a few days at the end of December.:clapping:

[colmx]

As i am now going to live in Siem Reap from the end of this month could I respectfully suggest it as an alternate venue should international travelers not be able to Drink for a few days at the end of December.:clapping:


Slightly off topic - but what made you want to live in SR Alipatt?
The dust and tuktuk touts there would drive me demented!

On teh other hand... Burger King in SR has the best looking bunch of boy workers I have ever seen! The HR manager must have worked as a mamasan in a past life!

[paperboy]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1210949/funeral-of-king-bhumibol-planned-for-late-october

plan all change

[gerefan2]

TiT.....
The whole country continues to look like a giant Benny Hill Sketch

[fountainhall]

. . . with Dick Emery and Tony Hancock lurking somewhere in the Civil Service and Morecambe and Wise as Junior Ministers!

[justaguy]

Ok is the junta sure this time ? End of october is definite ?

My next trip is in a few weeks, after that we plan to return as usual end of october until end of november. I guess this time I will plan on arriving in early november.

[fountainhall]

I don't think anyone is 100% certain! But end-October seems more likely than late-December. The latter period was mentioned by the King's sister Princess Srindhorn to a co-ordinating committee; the latter by a government spokesman. Between the two announcements it is likely that the TOT and other tourism-related bodies had pointed out to the relevant government departments that the Christmas/New Year period might deny the country a considerable quantity of tourist dollars, whereas late-October is a good time as it is on the cusp of the high season. But TIT!

[justaguy]

Will wait how it plays out. I usually book the plane sometime after I get back from Thailand, so somewhere in may, I guess they will know by then.