Constitution Day

This national holiday in Thailand held annually on 10 December unless this is a weekend when the holiday will be observed on the following Monday. If you are visiting Thailand at this time, it is worth noting that all Government offices and banks (except those in shopping malls) will be closed.

This holiday commemorates Thailand's adoption of a constitutional monarchy in 1932. At the start of the 1930s, Thailand (then called Siam) was suffering from the effects of the great depression. The King at the time, Rama VII, was seen by many as lacking in the experience needed to run the country, so The People's Party was formed by a group of intellectuals and senior military personnel, who presented the king with the option to stay in power but have his power reduced, thus creating a constitutional monarchy. Under the new constitution, the king and monarchy remained in place with the king as head of state, head of the military and defender of all religions, much like our own Monarchy in the UK.

Since 1932, Thailand has had 18 constitutions or charters, but all have been a variation of a constitutional monarchy. This constant of the monarchy during times of great change reflects the respect and admiration that the Thai people have for their Monarchy.

Constitution Day is a day when the people of Thailand thank the monarchy for granting them the right to run their country and is celebrated by parades and fireworks.