Royal Thai Government Gazette

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The Royal Thai Government Gazette or Royal Gazette for short (RG; Thai ราชกิจจานุเบกษา Ratcha Kitcha Nubeksa ) is an official publication point for official announcements of the Thai government.

Early history

The Royal Gazette was first published by King Mongkut (Rama IV) on March 15, 1858 , to inform government officials and the public of news in the country. As early as 1839, King Phra Nang Klao (Rama III) had 9,000 copies of a law against the trade and smoking of opium printed. Otherwise, royal scribes had to hand out all decrees.

King Mongkut (Rama IV) had a printing press set up in the palace to publish the Royal Gazette and to disseminate official government statements. It is considered certain that the first texts of the Royal Gazette came from the pen of the king in the early years, because the publications were interrupted for about 18 months when Rama IV did not have time to write.

In May 1874, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) began to publish the Gazette weekly, with a serial number being introduced to identify the various editions. The publication was interrupted again in 1879, and it was not until 1882 - for the centenary of the capital Bangkok  - that publication with the Royal Gazette Special was continued. Since 1884 it has been published again on a weekly basis.

In 1889 the content was adapted more to Western standards. Government announcements, orders from the king, laws and guidelines for ministries and officials also appeared in the Gazette.

The subscription price was eight baht per year for self-collectors and ten baht per year for delivery by messenger.

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