Every first day of May (May 1) is celebrated in Thailand – as in many countries around the world – as National Labour Day. It is an official holiday for employees, and so many businesses will be closed for the day.
National Labour Day celebrates the inauguration of Socialist International in Paris in 1889 when socialist, communist and anarchist political groups and trade unions came together in an effort to form a bloc that would stand up for labourers.
In Thailand, National Labour Day has been celebrated since 1956 when it was declared a holiday by the government of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram.
The objective of this day is to recognise the employee’s duty and responsibility they show every day of the year.
Main bank branches, apart from those in shopping malls, will be closed. However, government offices will be open and functioning as normal.
All Royal Thai Police, Tourist Police stations, hospitals and shopping centres will remain open and some local consulates will remain open to serve their respective citizens.
There will be no ban on alcohol sales as this holiday is not a major Buddhist holiday.
The Class Act Media office will be closed on Wednesday, May 1 and will re-open on Thursday, May 2.