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Monday, February 25 is Makha Bucha Day
Banks, offices will be closed
This year, Makha Bucha Day (Buddhist All Saints Day) falls on Monday,
February 25. Government offices, banks and many businesses will be
closed. It is also illegal to sell or distribute alcohol on important
religious holidays in Thailand.
This year, Makha Bucha Day (Buddhist All Saints Day) falls on Monday,
February 25. Government offices, banks and many businesses will be
closed.
This holy day commemorates the miraculous event when 1,250 disciples of
the Buddha, Gautama Sakayamuni, traveled to meet with the Buddha with no
prearranged agreement, at Weluwan Mahawiharn Temple in the area of
Rachakhryha, India.
Devout Buddhists are expected to turn out in the thousands at local
temples to conduct religious ceremonies.
Reminder: In 2009 the Prime Minister’s Office issued a no alcohol edict,
banning the sale of alcohol on important religious holidays.
The Notification of the Office of the Prime Minister RE: Determination
of Days of Prohibition of Alcoholic Beverage Sales (No. 2) B.E. 2552
(A.D. 2009), signed by then Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva,
specifically prohibits the sale of alcohol on Makha Bucha Day, Visakha
Bucha Day, Asalaha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent holidays.
On Monday, Feb. 25, it is against the law for businessmen to distribute
alcohol. This includes bars and restaurants, supermarkets, convenience
stores, department stores, and community retail stores. An amendment to
the decree exempts hotels from the ban.
Those caught breaking the law can face up to six months in jail and
fines up to 10,000 baht.
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