BANGKOK — Parties, festivals, and other forms of public entertainment may resume Nov. 14, a government spokeswoman announced Tuesday.
That’s the day the month-long ban on such events was imposed by the military government after the Oct. 13 death of King Bhumibol at 88.
Regime spokeswoman Taksada Sangchan confirmed that public festivities may resume in two weeks when the ban is lifted, but encouraged organizers to be respectful of the ongoing mourning period to be observed through October 2017.
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“All sectors can organize all the activities, but organizers must consider they are appropriate and in accordance with existing laws and regulations,” Col. Taksada said at a news conference.
Taksada said permitted events fall into nine categories:
1 .National events such as Songkran, Loy Krathong, Christmas and New Year’s Day
2. Provincial festivals such as Phi Ta Khon, Boon Bang Fai and Red Cross fairs
3. Street markets and other fairs that boost local economies
4. Upcountry cultural events such as Likay, Lam Tad and beauty contests
5. Entertainment events in nightclubs, pubs and bars
6. Private functions such as hotel conferences, seminars and banquets
7. Commercial music concerts
8. Spiritual events such as weddings, ordinations and the Kathin Festival
9. Sporting events and tournaments
State buildings will also return the national flag to full mast from Nov. 14 onwards, the colonel said.
However organizers of a number of upcoming events already canceled them prior to today’s announcement.
Sukhotai city government called off its Loy Krathong festival, stripping the event down to only floating krathong in the river. Bangkok was expected to follow suit.
February’s annual football match between Chulalongkorn and Thammasat universities has also been canceled.
