The announcement marks that Phuket Immigration will be closed this coming Saturday and Sunday (Apr 6-7), as is usual, but also closed on Monday, Apr 8, for the national public holiday to be observed for Chakri Memorial Day.
Chakri Memorial Day is observed on Apr 6 every year and celebrated as the founding day of the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty. Ceremonies are held in honour of King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great (Rama I) and the Chakri Royal Family.
His Majesty Maha Vajiralongkorn, the King of Thailand, is the 10th generation of the Chakri Dynasty, and is often referred to as Rama X.
Phuket Immigration also announced that its offices will be closed for five days over the Songkran holidays, from Apr 12-16.
The Cabinet in February declared Friday, Apr 12 a special government holiday, ensuring a five-day weekend for the Songkran festival.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said the decision was made two months before the festival so that people and businesses would have plenty of time to plan ahead. He said he would like the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to promote second-tier provinces for the long holiday, which will now run from Apr 12-16 inclusive.
Apr 13-15 are the conventional Songkran holidays. Apr 16 is a holiday in lieu of Apr 13, which is a Saturday.
The Cabinet secretariat said that apart from tourism promotion the extended holiday would help ease traffic congestion because it allowed people more flexibility in planning their trips.