Practically everything is considered to be an “auspicious occasions” here. Today in particular, since it’s Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday. Since the Queen is the mother of the country, it is celebrated as Mother’s Day, and is a national holiday. Like all Thai holidays, all bars are closed, and the sale of alcohol is prohibited.

Thus, there is nothing to do in Bangkok during a Thai holiday. So it was a good opportunity to go to Koh Samet, an island a mere four hours away, which everyone raves about.