The Move Forward party has been advised to focus on addressing “bread-and-butter” issues, instead of advocating for a change of Thailand’s national day, from December 5th to June 24th, which is likely to create more friction among Thai people.
The advice was given by Srettha Thavisin, one of the Pheu Thai party’s three prime ministerial candidates and chief advisor to Paetongtarn Shinawatra, head of the Pheu Thai “Family”.
Move Forward MP Rangsiman Rome said recently that the party will push to change the Thai national day to June 24th.
June 24th, 1932 was the day when a group of mostly foreign-educated bureaucrats, military personnel and civilians, called Khana Ratsadon (People’s Party), staged a bloodless revolution to transform Thailand from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy, during the reign of King Prajadhipok.
In 1983, June 24th was designated as the country’s national day.
In 1963, Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, a military strongman, changed the day to December 5th, which falls on the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Commenting on Rangsiman’s statement, Srettha told reporters that December 5th is a good day, as Thailand is a democratic country with the King as the head of state.
He said a change of Thai national day would not help to improve the livelihoods of the people, but would tend to increase friction in society.
“The people did not choose us to do something which may cause conflict. We are democratically minded and are connected to the people.
