public holidays
and festivals
public holiday and festivals days
Here is a list of Public Holidays and main Festivals that are observed nationwide throughout the year. Tourist
attractions, shops, and shopping malls will be open as usual while all private and government offices are closed
including Embassies and Consulates.
1 Jan: New Year’s Day
Feb-Mar: Makha Bucha Day: Makha Bucha is an important Buddhist festival in Thailand that falls on the full
moon day of the fourth lunar month. It commemorates the Buddha’s teaching of Ovada Patimokkha.
6 Apr: Chakri Memorial Day: Chakri Memorial Day commemorates the founding of the Chakri Dynasty, the
dynasty of the reigning royal family, on 6 April 1782 by King Rama I.
Apr: Songkran. Songkran festival is the traditional Thai New Year celebration and the main holiday period of the
year. It is generally known as the water festival and many people return to their hometowns for family reunion.
During this period, most of the tourist attractions, businesses, government offices, small shops, and Embassies
and Consulates will be closed. Shopping malls are open as usual. A few days before and just after the Songkran
festival, all forms of transportation are heavily booked as well as majority of hotels and accommodation.
1 May: Labour Day: International Labour Day is celebrated as a national holiday.
May: Visakha Bucha: Buddhist holiday that falls on the full moon of the 6th lunar month. This is the holiest of
Buddhist holidays celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. It also observed as the
National Tree Day.
5 May: Coronation Day: Commemorating the coronation of the present King of Thailand, His Majesty King
Bhumibol Adulyadej, in 1950.
May: Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day: Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient royal ceremony to mark the
traditional beginning of the rice-growing season.
102