Chakri Day in Thailand
Each April 6th is the day of Chakri in Thailand and it is public holiday. This date was the moment of the crowning of the first king of the Chakri dynasty, Rama 1, founder of the royal city of Bangkok.
The Chakri dynasty is important in Thailand, it is the dynasty of the current King, Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Founded in 1782, the dynasty succeeded the Ayutthaya kings defeated by the Burmese and moved the capital of the Kingdom to Bangkok (to Thonburi to be exact).
The Chakri kings then took the name of Rama. The dynastic name of Thailand current King is Rama IX.
Rama 1 was crowned on April 6, 1782, and stayed king until 1809. He consolidated the kingdom and protected it from invasions.
It was during his reign that the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew which is hosting the Emerald Buddha were built.
On April 6, the day of Chakri, the royal family organizes a religious ceremony to pay tribute to its ancestors. A crown is placed at the foot of the statue of King Rama I at Memorial Bridge in front of a crowd among which are political, military and civilian personalities .
If banks and administragations are closed on Chakri Day, shops, transports, hotels, restaurants… operate normally.
