No move to axe May 5 holiday: Govt
THE government has dismissed a rumour that May 5, which is associated with the late King’s coronation, will no longer be a national holiday.
The rumour arose after a 2017 calendar that recently appeared on the social media failed to show May 5 as a national holiday. Some Thais expressed dismay at this apparent change in a tradition that marks reverance for the late monarch.
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away at the age of 89 on October 13, throwing the nation into deep mourning.
“There has been no change to the national holidays,” Government Spokesman Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday. “Any such change requires prior approval from the Cabinet. And the Cabinet has not done such a thing to date.”
He said rumour-mongers could cause confusion and damage the public interest.
Sansern revealed that authorities were now investigating to try and find the source of the rumour.
“They violated the Computer Crime Act. If you know any person who spreads the rumour, please immediately alert police,” he said.
Sansern urged people not to believe unverified information.
“Please follow news from the government,” he said.
