Thai Coronation Day

Coronation Day (วันฉัตรมงคล, Wan Chatramongkhon) is a Thai national holiday observed on May 4th each year. It commemorates the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), who was officially crowned on May 4, 2019, in a grand three-day ceremony at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The holiday celebrates the continuity of the Thai monarchy and the bond between the King and the Thai people.

The coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn took place on May 4, 2019, making him the tenth monarch of the Chakri Dynasty. Although he ascended to the throne in October 2016 following the death of his father King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), the formal coronation was held over two years later, following Thai royal tradition and a period of national mourning. The elaborate ceremony included sacred bathing rituals, the anointing of the King, and the presentation of the royal regalia. King Vajiralongkorn was crowned with the Great Crown of Victory, a golden tiara weighing over 7 kilograms, and proclaimed himself protector of Buddhism and the Thai people.

On Coronation Day, government buildings and public spaces are decorated with royal yellow flags and portraits of the King. A televised ceremony is held, and citizens pay their respects to the monarchy. Many Thais wear yellow, the colour associated with the King's birth day (Monday). Buddhist merit-making ceremonies take place at temples throughout the country. The Grand Palace may hold special events, and Thai media broadcasts documentaries about the coronation and the royal family.