THE MOURNING prohibition on nightlife, festivals, shows and TV soap operas will be lifted on November 14.
The government will not impose any limits on entertainment activities and festivals after the initial 30-day period for mourning the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, but event and concert organisers should be considerate given the mourning mood of the public, authorities said.
The monarch passed away peacefully in his 89th year on October 13, sparking a nationwide mourning period.
More than 1 million people have flocked to the Grand Palace where his body is lying at rest to show their love and respect for the monarch.
Colonel Taksada Sangkhachan, assistant government spokeswoman, said yesterday the government had resolved to allow the entertainment industry to resume activities because it was one of the drivers of the economy.
The Loy Krathong Festival, Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year are all impending nationwide celebrations.
If the ban continued, celebrations would be significantly affected, as would the Thai Red Cross fair, the Phi Ta Khon ghost festival as well as multiple concerts, parties, contests and sporting events.
After the weekly Cabinet meeting, Taksada said PM’s Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana, who had been assigned to the issue, had met with agencies on October 30 and agreed that entertainment could return to normal on November 14.
National flags will no longer fly at half mast on the same day.
Organisers should ensure that their events complied with laws, regulations, local culture and advice from provincial governors, authorities said.
TV stations could begin normal programming but should also emphasise content that educated the public about the country’s development, she added.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the government would ask for the cooperation of TV stations to limit boisterous and rude jokes after the first 30 days of mourning.
“We hope they will use polite words,” he said.
Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said City Hall would stage Loy Krathong ceremonies with Thai traditions on November 14.
“But there will be no accompanying festivities. There will be no fireworks nor firecrackers,” he said.
Suwanna Jungrungrueng, head of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Environment Department, said Lumpini Park, Vachirabenjatas Park, Phra Nakhon Park, Chatuchak Park, Saranrom Park and 14 other public parks in the capital would be open until midnight on November 14 to allow people to float their decorative krathong to mark the occasion.
Loy Krathong is typically one of Thailand’s most spectacular traditional festivals.