Phuket Immigration, government offices to close for May holidays

Phuket Immigration will close on Monday, May 4, for the Coronation Day substitution holiday and again on May 13 for Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day, according to an official notice. The office also confirmed it will close on June 1 for the Visakha Bucha Day substitution holiday, matching island-wide government office closures in Phuket.

Coronation Day marks the official crowning of King Maha Vajiralongkorn in 2019. This year’s observance falls on a Monday and is marked by ceremonies honoring the King and the Royal Family.

Royal Ploughing holiday shuts all government offices on May 13

All government offices will close on May 13 for Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day. The event, known in Thai as Raek Na Khwan or Phra Ratcha Phithi Charot Phra Nangkhan Raek Na Khwan, is a royal tradition tied to the start of the rice-growing season.

The ceremony is held as an annual marker for the agricultural calendar. The closure applies across government offices on the island.

June 1 closure follows Visakha Bucha substitution holiday

Government offices on the island will also close on June 1 for the Visakha Bucha Day substitution holiday. Visakha Bucha, one of Thailand’s most important Buddhist holy days, falls on the full moon of the sixth lunar month and this year will be observed on Sunday, May 31.

The holiday is one of five Buddhist religious days when alcohol sales are generally banned. The others are Makha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha Day, Khao Pansa and Wan Org Pansa.

All venues except registered bars and entertainment venues in tourism areas are barred from selling alcohol for 24 hours, from midnight to midnight on Sunday, May 31. Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum issued clarification last year on which venues may sell alcohol on major Buddhist holidays and which may not.

Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/government-offices-to-close-for-may-holidays-100080.php