Thai Public Holidays
There are typically 16 public holidays in Thailand (Songkran counts as 3) though it is not uncommon for the government to declare new ones or extend existing ones adding more days. If a holiday falls on a weekend, the following workday is observed.
Although there are many observances and religious holidays the standard Thai holidays (official bank holidays) are as follows
Date | Thai Holiday | Thai Name | Description |
Jan 1 | New Years Day | วันขึ้นปีใหม่ (Wan Khuen Pi Mai) | Start of the new calendar year. |
Full moon, 3rd Thai lunar month (February) | Magha Puja | วันมาฆบูชา (Wan Makha Bucha) | Celbrates the Buddha's teaching of Ovada Patimokkha |
April 6 | Chakri Memorial Day | วันจักรี (Wan Chakkri) | Celebrates the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty and the founding of Bangkok |
April 13 - 15 | Songkran | วันสงกรานต์ (Wan Songkran) | This is the traditional Thai new year and has evolved to become a large celebration where people soak each other with water. |
May 5 | Coronation Day | วันฉัตรมงคล (Wan Chattra Mongkhon) | Commemorates the coronation of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1950 |
May (date announced each year) | Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day | วันพืชมงคล (Wan Phuetcha Mongkhon) | Celebrates the country's farmers |
Full moon, 6th Thai lunar month (May) | Vesak | วันวิสาขบูชา (Wan Wisakha Bucha) | Celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha |
Full moon, 8th Thai lunar month (July) | Asalha Puja | วันอาสาฬหบูชา (Wan Asanha Bucha) | Commemorates the Buddha's first discourse, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta |
First waning moon, 8th Thai lunar month (July) | Vassa | วันเข้าพรรษา (Wan Khao Phansa) | The beginning of Vassa (Buddhist Lent) |
August 12 | HM Queen Sirikit's Birthday | วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษาสมเด็จพระนางเจ้าฯ พระบรมราชินีนาถ (Wan Chaloem Phra Chonmaphansa Somdet Phranang Chao Phra Boromma Rachininat) | Birthday of HM Queen Sirikit and is also observed as Mother's Day |
October 23 | Chulalongkorn Day | วันปิยมหาราช (Wan Piya Maharat) | Observance for the passing of King Chulalongkorn |
December 5 | HM King Bhumibol's Birthday | วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษาพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว (Wan Chaloem Phra Chonmaphansa Phrabat Somdet Phra Chao Yuhua) | Birthday of HM King Bhumibol's and also observed as Father's Day |
December 10 | Constitution Day | วันรัฐธรรมนูญ ( Wan Rattha Thammanun) | Commemorates the fist Thai constitution (1932) |
December 31 | New Years Eve | วันสิ้นปี (Wan Sin Pi) | Last day of the calendar year |
Thai Public Holidays 2011
1 Jan - Sat, New Year's Day
3 Jan - Mon, New Year's Day. (Substitution)
3-5 Feb - Thu - Sat, Chinese New Year - Celebrated but not a national holiday.
18 Feb - Fri, Makha Bucha
6 Apr - Wed, Chakri Day
13-15 Apr - Wed - Fri, Songkran
1 May - Sun, Labor Day
2 May - Mon, Labor Day (Substition)
5 May - Thur, Coronation Day
17 May - Tue, Visakha Bucha
1 Jul - Fri, Banking Holiday
15 July - Fri, Asanha Bucha
16 July - Sat, Wan Khao Phansa Beginning of Buddhist Lent
12 Aug - Fri, HM Queen Sirikit's Birthday / Mother's Day
12 Oct - Wed, Wan Awk Phansa End of Buddhist Lent
13 Oct - Thur, Tak Bat Thewo
23 Oct - Sun, Chulalongkorn Day
24 Oct - Mon, Chulalongkorn Day (Substitution)
10 Nov - Thur, Loy Kratong Celebrated but not a national holiday
5 Dec - Mon, H.M. The King's Birthday / Father's Day
10 Dec - Sat, Constitution Day
12 Dec - Mon, Constitution Day (Substitution)
31 Dec - Sat, New Years Eve
2 Jan (2012) - Mon, New Years Day (Substitution)
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