Long holiday weekend coming up

The island, along with the rest of Thailand, is heading for another long holiday weekend at the end of this week, with most businesses closed from Friday (May 1) to Tuesday (May 5).

May 5 celebrates the anniversary of the coronation of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1950.

His Majesty is the longest-reigning living monarch in the world, and the 24th longest-reigning monarch ever.

This Friday (May 1) is Labour Day. Thailand follows many countries in the world in marking May 1 as a holiday.

Originally a traditional European spring rite it was chosen for International Workers’ Day by the Second Socialist International in 1889 to commemorate labour riots in Chicago three years earlier.

During the riots a bomb was thrown at police, who opened fire. Four protesters were killed, along with seven police officers.

To make for a long holiday for people in Thailand, the cabinet in January approved May 4 as an extra public holiday to allow for a long weekend break from May 1 to May 5.

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said at that time that the government hopes that the extra holiday on May 4 will stimulate travel and spending, and boost the local tourism industry by 10 per cent.