A number of places are scaling down New Year’s celebrations due to the condition of a key royal.
Several localities from Pattaya to Chiang Mai have said they would tone down celebrations or cancel them amid fears over the health of Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the eldest child of King Vajiralongkorn who suffered a major health emergency earlier this month.
In the coastal enclave of Pattaya, the authorities yesterday announced that they would cancel New Year’s Eve fireworks but allow live music and flea markets to be held.
The provincial authorities had already canceled Chonburi’s New Year’s Eve party and replaced it with a Buddhist alms-giving ceremony on New Year’s Day. It did not name the specific reason.
Royal Park Rajapruek, a botanical garden in Chiang Mai, announced a day after the Princess collapsed in central Thailand that it would postpone its New Year’s events, dubbed The Night of Flora Fest, originally set for Dec. 23 to Jan. 2, until further notice.
The palace has said that the princess lost consciousness during a military K-9 training exercise and is in a “stable” condition though she requires equipment to remain alive.
Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha has said there are no plans to cancel New Year’s festivities but encouraged people to pray for the princess’ health and recovery.
The Court of Justice office on Monday circulated a letter instructing its offices to pray rather than party for a speedy recovery of Princess Bajrakitiyabha. The Ministry of Education on Thursday followed suit.
Related
Thai monks told to pray for Princess Bajrakitiyabha
Princess Bajrakitiyabha, King’s eldest child, unconscious at hospital: palace
