Everything You Need To Know About The King's Birthday In December

If you ever take a gander at Thailand’s jam-packed calendar, you will find that almost every other day Thai people are celebrating something. From full moons to vegetarian food, Thais are always finding reasons to pay tribute and party. The king’s birthday is no exception, and this year’s celebrations might play out differently due to the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej this past October. Here is everything you need to know about the late king’s birthday.
History
The holiday celebrating the king’s birthday in Thailand is held annually on December 5, which is the late king’s birthday. The holiday is also observed as Thailand’s National Father’s Day and National Day. This year, the holiday falls on a Monday. Since 1946, King Bhumibol Adulyadej ruled in Thailand. The day is usually a picturesque event in cities across the country, with buildings and schools decorated with photographs of the king.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
Those who have visited Thailand might have noticed that Thais oftentimes wear similar colors to one another; this is no fashion mishap. Depending on the day of the week, many Thai people will wear a particular color in hopes of having good luck in accordance to Thai astrology. On Monday, Thai people wear yellow. This is also King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s color because he was born on a Monday. It is for this reason that the color yellow overtakes the streets of Thailand on Father’s Day, specifically the Grand Palace, where people will decorate the grounds with marigolds in his name.

When the king passed away, hundreds of people gathered outside of the hospital he was at in Bangkok wearing bright yellow attire, praying and hoping for a speedy recovery. Sadly, this was not the outcome.

Past Celebrations
The king’s birthday is one of the most celebrated holidays of the entire year. In previous years, Thai people have gone to great lengths to decorate and celebrate this national holiday. Homes, buildings and public places are decorated with lights, and many Thai people will take part in a candle lighting tradition. This ceremony pays tribute to the king, and Thais across the country come together with their families to honor King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

However, this year might be different. Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej diedat the age of 88 on October 13, 2016. He was the world’s longest-reigning monarch and was in power for 70 years. The death of the king came as a great loss for the people of Thailand, many of whom were born during his era and have not known any other ruler. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is set to become the new king of Thailand on December 1, 2016, according to a BBC article.

What does this mean for the holiday? Immediately after the passing of the king, the country went into a state of mourning that is scheduled to last for an entire year. There was also a strict month-long ban against large parties and celebrations.

Sanam Luang has been a popular destination for Thais across the country to congregate for this holiday. Sanam Luang is the green space and park located just north of the Grand Palace. Many Thais will bike in honor of the king. Some of the events are more ceremonious and are in the form of actual races, while other Thais simply strap on a helmet and pay their respects while riding their bikes, especially around the Chitralada Palace area. No information has been released as to whether or not the same amount of festivities will take place this year in honor of Thailand’s National Father’s Day and National Day. There are a few reasons to believe, however, that some processions and celebrations will be taking place this year. The last holiday Thailand celebrated was Loy Krathong, and there were still plenty of Thais and foreigners alike participating and having a good holiday.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.