Chakri Day in Thailand – April 6

Written by Team Expique
Published: April 6, 2021

Chakri Day is an important public holiday in the Thai calendar, falling on April 6th each year. It celebrates Thailand’s Chakri dynasty, from which the current royal family hails.

But do you know the full background to Chakri Day and how it is celebrated in Bangkok?

Bangkok's Grand Palace, the seat of the Chakri dynasty - photo by Jorge Láscar

The Chakri dynasty was founded in 1782, when King Rama I came to the throne, following the death of King Taksin. The dynasty takes its name from Rama I, whose full name was King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke but who was bestowed the prestigious title of Chaophraya Chakri, reflecting his strength in battle. It’s also easy to spot the influence of the name for Bangkok’s Chaophraya river. Rama I moved the capital of Thailand, at the time known as Siam, across the river from Thonburi to Bangkok, where it stands today.

Since then there have been ten Thai kings in the Chakri dynasty, and the current head of state in Thailand is King Rama X (Maha Vajiralongkorn)

Other monarchs in Thailand’s Chakri dynasty have included King Chulalongkorn, or Rama V, who is credited with much of Thailand’s modernisation and whose death is marked each October on Chulalongkorn Day. Most recently King Bhumibol (Rama IX) reigned for 70 years until his death in 2016. King Bhumibol was considered the father of the nation to many of today’s Thai population ad his life is remembered on Fathers Day on December 5 each year.

Memorial Bridge in Bangkok - photo by dsin_travel

On Chakri Day each year in Bangkok, the current Thai royal family presides over a ceremony which honours the country’s previous monarchs. Thais often also place flowers on statues of King Rama I around the country. At the Grand Palace, this is also the one day of the year that the interior of the Phrasat Phra Debidorn building, also known as the Pantheon, is open to the building; it contains life-sized statues of the first eight kings of the Chakri dynasty. It is here that the current king pays respects to his predecessors, before proceeding to lay a wreath at the statue of King Rama I at Bangkok’s Memorial Bridge, close to the flower market and Wat Prayoon temple, both visited by our nighttime tuk-tuk tour.




Explore Thailand with Expique

At Expique our mission is to help people discover the real Bangkok (and beyond) and the local cultures. We do this through a combination of offering our own award winning tours and through producing informative content.

Our range of experiences in Bangkok including our award winning Bangkok Night Lights Tuk Tuk Tour and our foodie extravaganza Evening Food & Tuk Tuk Adventure.

Follow us on social media for all the latest news.

Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Pin us on Pinterest

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive monthly news and tips about exploring Bangkok.

Subscribe

* indicates required
Categories: Holidays & Festivals

Share this article:



About Expique

Expique is an award-winning food and tuk tuk tour operator and content creator based in Bangkok and content creator.

Take a TOUR in Bangkok

Expique runs award winning tours in Bangkok

Find out more

Experiences You May Like:

The best of Bangkok and Thonburi side, Tuk Tuk Tour to the landmarks of Bangkok
Bangkok By Day: Big Buddha,
Local Market, Adventure on canal, local life and Food
A Floating Market Boat Tour
Late Night Market Tour
Bangkok’s Midnight Markets
Thai breakfast food tour
A Local Bangkok Breakfast Tour

Talk to our team today to discuss exploring Bangkok

Contact Us. We'd love to hear from you.

Experience Bangkok
with Expique!