Students from Pattaya School No. 9 in
traditional attire put on a classical Thai dance show to pay respect to
HM King Rama V.
Urasin Khantaraphan
Pattaya marked the fourth Local Administration Day by honoring
HM King Rama V, who began the move toward government decentralization,
with religious ceremonies, music and dance.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome led the March 18 event at city hall, offering
incense and flowers to honor the late king and introducing students from
Pattaya School No. 9 in traditional attire who put on a classical Thai
dance show.
The event also featured sales of government uniforms and Thai silk,
while foot massage was offered in Thappraya Hall.
Local Administration Day was launched by the Thai Cabinet in 2010 to
mark the date when Rama V created the rural sanitary district, Tha
Chalom, in 1906. That district later developed into the city of Samut
Sakhon. It was also the first step toward local government
administration, although true local rule would not take hold until the
government moved to decentralize its Bangkok operations in the 1990s.
Pattaya also sprung from the Naklua Sanitation District, which was
founded in 1958.
