Translation:Announcement Promulgating the Use of the First Day of January as the New Year's Day

by the Council of Regency for Ananda Mahidol

Seal of the Royal Command

Announcement
Promulgating the Use of the First Day of January as the New Year's Day

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In the name of Somdet Phra Chaoyuhua Ananda Mahidol^[1]
The Council of Regency
(According to the Announcement of the President of the House of
People's Representatives dated 4 August 2480 Buddhist Era)^[2]

Aditya Dibabha^[3]
Gen Phitchayenyothin^[4]

Whereas, according to the Thai customary practice since antiquity, the first day of the waning moon of the first month was [originally] observed as the New Year's Day, which was in line with the tradition of the holy religion of Buddhism that observes the season of winter as the beginning of a year, [but] this custom was later changed in accordance with the Brahman tradition which uses the first day of the waxing moon of the fifth month as the New Year's Day, [and] after the public sector [turned] to favour the use of the solar calendar, the first day of April has, from 2432 Buddhist Era onwards, been observed as the years' starting day;

However, in all the civilised countries, including the great countries in this Far East, using the first day of January as the year's starting day is favoured; [and] the use of the first day of January so favoured is irrelevant to any religious creed, customary practice, or politics of any nation or country, but it is a calculation by means of astronomical science and its use has been favoured for over two thousand years; now that Thailand has [turned to] favour the solar calendar in the same manner as [other] countries, it is highly appropriate [for Her] to use the first day of January as the year's starting day like all the [other] countries, because the first day of January is proximate to the first day of the waning moon of the first month under the Thai [customary practice] and marks the cold season as the beginning of a year [and] the use of the first day of January as the New Year's Day would [also] be agreeable to the ancient customary practice of the Thais, be compatible with the tradition of the excellent religion of Buddhism, and be on a par with all the civilised countries;

And [whereas His Majesty has] issued a great royal command allowing the enactment of the Calendar Years Act, 2483 Buddhist Era, by and with the advice and consent of the House of People's Representatives, and [the act] was published in the Government Gazette on^[5] the 17th day of September 2483 Buddhist Era, and that act has become operative since the 17th day of December 2483 Buddhist Era, which means that the State has already used the first day of January as the New Year's Day;

Therefore, [His Majesty hereby] issues with His pleasure a great royal command instructing senior and junior members of the royal household, [members of] the clergy, and all of [His] subjects to favour and observe the first day of January as the New Year's Day so that it become national customary practice from this time onwards. And may the new year which [shall] begin on this 1st day of January 2484 Buddhist Era be the dawn of [all] lives, [may it] bring the Thai Nation to prosperity and [enable Her to] advance to enormous success, [and may it] lead all [His Majesty's] subjects to general comfort and content, in very deed!

Announced on the 24th day of December 2483 Buddhist Era [1940], being the 7th year of the present reign.

Countersignatory:
Phibunsongkhram^[6]
Prime Minister

Notes

1. King Ananda Mahidol (1925–1946 CE), who was still a minor then. Somdet Phra Chaoyuhua (Thai: สมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว), which literally translates "His Divine Majesty the Lord Over the Heads", is a title for a king not yet formally crowned.
2. On 4 August, the year 2480 BE corresponded to 1937 CE.
3. The signature of Prince Aditya Dibabha (1900–1946 CE), member of the Council of Regency.
4. The signature of General Chaophraya Phitchayenyothin (Um Phitchayenyothin) (1872–1942 CE), member of the Council of Regency.
5. Originally, "since".
6. The signature of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram (1897–1964 CE).

Bibliography

• "Prakat Hai Chai Wan Thi Nueng Makarakhom Pen Wan Khuen Pi Mai" [Announcement Promulgating the Use of the First Day of January as the New Year's Day]. Royal Thai Government Gazette (in Thai) 58 (0A): 31–33. 1941-01-01.