Father’s Day in Thailand
Father’s Day is celebrated worldwide to recognize the contribution that fathers and father figures make to the lives of their children. This day celebrates fatherhood and male parenting.
Father’s Day in Thailand has a special significance. Celebrated on December 5, Father’s day in Thailand is used to commemorate the birthday of the current King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is considered as the ‘Father of the Nation’.
King’s birthday is a national holiday and is celebrated all over the country with great enthusiasm. The event is used by the loyal people of Thailand to express their reverence for their King.
Father’s Day Celebrations in Thailand –
• The Thais observe their Father’s Day by gifting their fathers and grandfathers with a Canna flower (Dok put ta ruk sa), which is considered to be a masculine flower.
• Thai people wear yellow on Father’s Day to show respect for the king. This is because yellow is the Color of the day for Monday, the day on which king Bhumibol Adulyadej was born.
• The Thais have their own unique way of celebrating the Father’s day. The schools organize special events to celebrate the day. Most of the schools put up morning shows, comprising of traditional dances and dramas and the dads are presented with flowers at the end of the event as a sign of honor and great reverence.
• A couple of weeks prior to the Father’s Day celebration, all roads, houses and shops are decorated with the elaborate displays of kings photographs and the national flag. Public buildings and lands are decorated with royal symbols and enormous golden framed photographs of the king. A guest book is placed on the entrance of every shop for the people to express their greetings to the king.
• On the day of his birthday, the King goes to the temple to make merit to the monks. This event is televised on national TV, so that everyone can see the King honoring his religion and being blessed by the monks for a long and healthy life.
• In the evening, free concerts are held to mark the event. Singers from all across the country perform here. With the onset of dusk, a huge candlelight ceremony takes place. All the people dressed in yellow holds a candle each to honor the king.
• The celebration usually ends with fireworks and singing of the Thai national anthem.