Thailand’s Cabinet approves 4-day weekend from 4-7 July 2020
The cabinet on Tuesday approved extra public holidays for Asarnha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent, making a 4-day weekend from July 4-7.
Speaking after the weekly cabinet meeting, Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome said the two extra religious holidays, on July 6 and 7, were proposed by the prime minister’s secretariat.
As Saturday July 4 is Asarnha Bucha Day and July 5 marks Buddhist Lent, the cabinet approved the two extra holidays to mark these two important days, Mr Itthiphol said.
However, most calendars show Buddhist Lent (Khao Phansa) on Monday.
Mr Ittiphol said that week’s regular cabinet meeting would be postponed until Wednesday, and the Tuesday cabinet meeting on July 28 would also be moved, to July 29.
July 28 is HM the King’s birthday.
Substitute days for the cancelled Songkran break have not yet been used, the minister said.
“Therefore, the 3-day Songkran holiday is still to come. The prime minister wants to see the evaluation of the Covid-19 situation first, and will consider other recovery projects.
“After this, the prime minister will give guidelines for use in considering additional public holidays, taking into consideration those recovery projects and use of a 400-billion-baht budget to stimulate the economy, especially domestic tourism,’’ Mr Itthiphol said.
Compensation days for Songkran may be scheduled in August or September, he said.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1939724/cabinet-approves-4-day-weekend-in-july
