The cabinet on Tuesday approved an extra public holiday on Jan 3, making it a four-day New Year weekend.
Government deputy spokesperson Thaksada Sangkhachan said on Tuesday that the cabinet approved Jan 3, a Tuesday, as an additional public holiday, in addition to Jan 2. This would mean the New Year holiday stretched from Saturday Dec 31 to Tuesday Jan 3.
The cabinet also confirmed that Dec 5 remains a public holiday this year as it is the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The Royal Household Bureau would still hold important activities as usual, Col Thaksada said.
She did not know if this practice would continue in future years.