Chakri Memorial Day.

Chakri Memorial Day is a National Holiday in Thailand held annually on 6 April 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, schools and banks (except those in shopping malls) will be closed.

Officially known as 'King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great Day and Chakri Dynasty Memorial Day', Chakri Day commemorates the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty by Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) in 1782.

Chakri day commemorates the coronation of Rama I (who made Krung Thep (modern day Bankok) the capital of Siam) but it is also a day for the people of Thailand to recognise the contributions of all the kings in the dynasty.

It is celebrated by the King, accompanied by other members of the royal household, presiding over religious ceremonies and paying respect to his predecessors at the Royal Pantheon, which contains life-size statues of the first eight kings of the Chakri dynasty.

As this holiday always falls a few days before the three day Songkran festival, it is also an opportunity for many people to travel in preparation for the Songkran festivities