January 1 – New Year’s Day
It is a celebration of the brand new year. All schools, government offices, and banks are closed for business. The commercial establishments will remain open. All airports, land borders, and seaports will remain open.
February 10 – Makha Bucha
Makha Bucha is one of the 4 most important Theravada Buddhist holidays in Thailand. It is an occasion when Buddhists go to the temple to perform merit-making activities, such as almsgiving, meditation and listening to teachings. Although Makha Bucha is a national holiday, banks and commercial centers are open. No alcohol for sale, from midnight to midnight of the holy day, meaning you cannot buy alcohol from convenient stores and bars. Pubs and bars are closed.
April 6 – Chakri Memorial Day
It is the founding of the Chakri Dynasty which dates back to more than two centuries when the capital city Bangkok was initially established. The day is celebrated with enormous enthusiasm in the Royal family and all the government offices, banks and schools are declared closed. Other normal business open as usual and are unaffected by the celebrations
April 13, 14, 15 – Songkran
The Songkran Festival is a time when family and friends gather to pay gratitude to elders and visit temples for prayer and offering. Songkran literally means to pass or move into. The Songkran Festival is an amazing event in Thailand that is used to welcome the New Year. Water is an important element of Songkran, especially in more recent times when the throwing of water has become a huge part of the annual celebrations. If you’re visiting Thailand during this period, prepare to get splashed! Crowds of people roam around throwing buckets of water, using water pistols and just generally soaking anyone in the vicinity. Appreciation of family is another important aspect of the festival, with many Thai people making their way to their hometowns to spend time with older relatives. Buddhists also visit temples throughout Songkran where water is poured on Buddha images and on the hands of Buddhist monks as a mark of respect.
May 1 – Labor Day
It is an international day commemorating the international labor movement. Both public offices including Thai immigration and private sectors are closed for business. Commercial establishments and public transport are open as usual.
May 4 – Coronation Day
This public holiday commemorates the coronation of King Vajiralongkorn. The government offices including immigration, labor office and schools will be closed for business.
May 6 – Visakha Bucha
Visakha Bucha Day is one of the most important Buddhist holidays in the Thai calendar. It is important as it was the day of three important incidents that occurred during the life of Lord Buddha. The three significant separate events were: 1) The Buddha was born on this day. 2) The Buddha achieved “The Enlightenment” (nirvana) on the same day. 3) He passed away on this day at age 80 in India.
Celebrating Visakha Bucha day means making special efforts to bring happiness to the unfortunate like the aged, the handicapped and the sick. To this day, Buddhists will distribute gifts in cash and kind to various charitable homes throughout the country. The government offices and school will be closed but the banks and commercial centers will remain open. No alcohol for sale, from midnight to midnight of the holy day, meaning you cannot buy alcohol from convenient stores and bars. Pubs and bars are closed.
May 21 – Royal Ploughing Ceremony (Government Only)
This is a public holiday for government offices and schools. The private sector will remain open for business.
June 3 – The Queen’s Birthday
This day commemorates the birthday of the Queen of Thailand, Queen Suthida, who was born on this day in 1978. The government, private offices, banks, and schools will be closed but commercial centers will remain open.
July 6 – Asanha Bucha
Asanha Bucha Day is a public holiday in Thailand marking the day when the Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Benares in India over 2,500 years ago. Like many other Buddhist festivals and holidays, Asahna Bucha is a day when Thai Buddhists will make merit and visit the local temple. The banks and commercial centers will remain open. No alcohol for sale, from midnight to midnight of the holy day, meaning you cannot buy alcohol from convenient stores and bars. Pubs and bars are closed. However, if you really want to go out, hotel bars serve alcohol.
July 7 – Buddhist Lent (Government Only)
This is a public holiday for the government offices including immigration offices and schools. The private sector such as banks, commercial centers, and entertainment centers will remain open for business.
July 28 – King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday
This day commemorates the birthday of the King of Thailand, King Vajiralongkorn, who was born on this day in 1952.
August 12 – HM Queen Sirikit’s Birthday
The Queen of former King Bhumibol is honored with a public holiday on her birthday. The day is also called “Queen Mother’s Birthday” as Queen Sirikit is the mother of reigning king Vajiralongkorn. This day has become the Mother’s Day celebration in Thailand.
October 13 – King Bhumibol Adulyadej Memorial Day
This day commemorates the passing of King Bhumibol or Rama IX on October 13th, 2016. This national holiday in Thailand is held annually on 13 October. However, as the 13 falls on a weekend day, the holiday will be observed on the following Monday. It is a public holiday for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
October 23 – Chulalongkorn Day
Chulalongkorn Day, celebrated annually on 23 October and usually observed by all companies and organizations, commemorates the passing of King Chulalongkorn or Rama V, who died on this day in 1910. Known as the country’s modernizing monarchy, the abolition of slavery in Thailand is considered among his greatest achievements.
December 7 – King Rama IX Birthday
The former King Bhumibol or Rama IX is honored with a public holiday on his birthday. The former King’s birthday is actually December 5, but this year, the public holiday for both government and private sectors will be on December 7th. This also has become Father’s Day celebration in Thailand.
December 10 – Constitution Day
This holiday commemorates Thailand’s adoption of a constitutional monarchy in 1932. Constitution Day is traditionally celebrated across Thailand by displaying and paying respect to portraits of Thai kings past and present; it is also common for government offices to be lit up and for civilian and military parades to take place.
December 31 – New Year’s Eve
In preparation for the New Year celebrations both the government offices, schools and private offices will be closed for business. Commercial and entertainment centers, public transportation and airport will remain open. The Thai immigration at the airport, seaport, and land border will also be open as usual.
