Thailand’s 4-day weekend comes with booze ban, limited access to Grand Palace

Photo: Esteban Chiner/ Flickr
Photo: Esteban Chiner/ Flickr

For those who can’t wait to rage it during the upcoming four-day weekend, it’s probably worth reminding you that the sale of alcohol will, as usual, be partially banned during the Buddhist holiday.

Friday marks Asanha Bucha Day, while Saturday is Buddhist Lent Day. That means a nationwide alcohol ban that will last from Friday at 12:01am to Saturday at midnight.

Most bars will be closed entirely on Friday and Saturday night (we’ll look the other way if your favorite watering hole is offering cheeky drinks behind closed doors), and if you’re out on Thursday night, last call will probably come earlier than usual.

As Saturday also marks King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 66th birthday, the Grand Palace will have limited access this week due to the celebration and merit-making ceremony, according to the Royal Household Bureau.

On Thursday, tourists may visit the popular attraction as usual but will not be able to enter the ordination hall. On Friday, the Grand Palace will only open from 8:30am to noon, as the ordination hall will be closed.

The palace is entirely closed on Saturday.



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