Norway: Double celebrations

Norway designated May 17 as both its Constitution Day and National Day. The annual holiday is unique occasion in the country, as thousands of people dress in traditional national costumes and parade in the streets.

Young and old, Norwegian women can be seen in long dresses featuring red, white, black and green. Traditional clothing in Norway is made of thick wool and features vivid flowers and patterns.

Street parades in Norway are nothing without the sound brass bands, composed of primary and middle school students. National parades feature up and down the country. The main parade in the capital of Oslo starts at 10 am in the downtown area and winds up at the imperial palace.

Some local citizens follow the bands, pushing their baby carriages, waving their flags and offering their best wishes to the king’s family while passing the palace.

The king attends the celebration, wearing a black suit and black hat.

Thailand: A solemn occasion

Dec 10 marks Thailand’s Constitution Day. It is a day for members of the country’s royal family, government officials and statesmen to attend an activity to commemorate the 7th emperor. Thailand’s 7th emperor, Prajadhipok, was the country’s first constitutional monarch and helped draft a democratic constitution in 1932.

The delegation gathers at Parliament Square to lay wreaths at the statue monument of the 7th emperor.