Thai king's coronation day designated as Thailand's new holiday

BANGKOK, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Thai government on Tuesday declared May 4 a public holiday to honor King Maha Vajiralongkorn's formal coronation.

Assistant government spokesman Athisit Chaiyanuwat said the cabinet has approved the date as a new holiday. He said the change would give Thais a total of 19 official holidays.

The new holiday marks the day that His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn was crowned.

Thailand designated June 3, the birthday of newly-crowned Queen Suthida, as another new holiday last week.