Thailand Coronation Day

Coronation Day or Wan Chattra Mongkol is a public holiday in Thailand to commemorate the anniversary of the coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej as Rama IX, the ninth king of Chakri dynasty. People in Thailand celebrate Coronation Day on 5 May every year.

When is Thailand Coronation Day 2013?
Thailand Coronation Day 2013 falls on Sunday, 5 May 2013. Since Coronation Day 2013 falls on Sunday, Monday will be observed as a substitute holiday.

Origin of Coronation Day
The first Coronation Day was celebrated on 6 April 1851 when King Mongkut was crowned as King Rama IV. Prior to that time, there was no special Coronation Day celebration since the coronation of the King was held by only high ranking officials. Noticing the importance of Coronation Day in the other countries, King Rama IV issued a royal announcement to hold a formal ceremony for his Coronation Day. To make it easier to understand, the day was named “Ceremony to Commemorate the Royal Regalia”. This tradition continues, and the date when King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s was crowned Rama IX of Thailand is observed as the current Coronation Day.

Coronation Day 2013 Celebration
The formal celebration of Coronation Day begins on 3 May when Buddhist monks hold a ceremony at Amarinda Vinichai Hall in the Grand Palace. Then, a high monk delivers sermons as well as reads scriptures dedicated to the ancestors of Chakri house .

On the next day, the official proclamation of Coronation Day is read by the Chief of Brahmin priests followed by the chanting ceremony from Buddhist monks. The main ceremony is organized on 5th of May when the King wears his full regalia, and the Buddhist monks have a feast. On this day, there are also 21-gun salutes from the Royal Thai Army and awards ceremony from the King to the most prominent citizens in their fields.

Vocabulary

1. Coronation Day = วันฉัตรมงคล /wan chà-mong-kon/

2. public holiday = วันหยุดราชการ /wan-yùt râat-chá-gaan/

3. celebrate = เฉลิมฉลอง /chà-lə̌əm chà-lɔ̌ɔng/

4. substitute holiday= วันหยุดชดเชย /wan-yùt chót-chəəi/

5. importance = ความสำคัญ /kwaam sǎm-kan/

6. ceremony = พิธี /pí-tii/

7. tradition = ประเพณี /bprà-pee-nii/

8. monk = พระ /prá/

9. regalia = เครื่องราชกกุธภัณฑ์ /krʉ̂ang-râat-chá-gà-gùt-tá-pan/

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Prae

Thai Language teacher