When planning your trip, you should be aware of the major national holidays
celebrated throughout the country. However, although businesses and
government offices are closed on public holidays, tourist attractions and
shops are almost never closed. The main impact on the tourist of these
holidays is the increased competition for travel and accommodation from
Thais who use long weekends to get away from the big city.
The list below
shows all of the public holidays as well as some of the more important
nationwide celebrations that aren't national holidays. Many of the most
important holidays on the Thai calendar are based on the lunar calendar and
therefore will occur on different days from year to year. The dates for
these holidays in 2009 are calculated estimates and may be subject to
correction. There are almost always
festivals
or other events arranged around these dates:
Thailand National Holidays | Thai Holidays to Remember
Holidays in Pattaya Jomtien
|
|
1 January
(Tuesday) |
New Year's Day
The beginning of the western new year is a national holiday in
Thailand, one of three "new year" holidays celebrated every
year.
National Holiday |
8 February
(Friday) |
Chinese New Year
The beginning of the Chinese lunar year is celebrated in the
Chinatowns of every city throughout Thailand. Some businesses
close for the day, but it is not a national holiday. |
21 February
(Thursday) |
Makha Bucha
Makha Bucha celebrates the Buddha's first sermon in to his
disciples.
National Holiday |
6 April
(Sunday) |
Chakri Day
Chakri Day commemorates the founding of the current dynasty,
Rama I.
National Holiday |
7 April
(Monday) |
Chakri Day (Substitution)
Some businesses may be closed. |
13 April
(Sunday) |
Songkran
Songkran is the traditional Thai new year, generally celebrated
as a water festival.
National Holiday |
14 April
(Monday) |
Songkran
Second day of this three-day holiday.
National Holiday |
15 April
(Tuesday) |
Songkran
Third of the three days of Songkran.
National Holiday |
1 May
(Thursday) |
Labor Day
International labor day is celebrated as a national holiday,
even though there isn't much ado about it
National Holiday |
5 MaY
(Monday) |
Coronation Day
Celebrates the day in 1949 when the current king was crowned.
National Holiday |
19 May
(Monday) |
Visakha Bucha
The holiest Buddhist holiday celebrates the birth, enlightenment
and entry into nirvana of the Buddha.
National Holiday |
18 July
(Friday) |
Buddhist Lent
This day marks the beginning of the Buddhist 'lent' period, a
time when monks are supposed to retreat to their temples while
new life springs forth.
National Holiday |
12 August
(Tuesday) |
Queen's Birthday
Her Majesty the Queen's birthday is a national holiday, also
serving as the country's Mothers Day as well.
National Holiday |
23 October
(Thursday) |
Chulalongkorn Day
Celebrates the birthday of one of Thailand's most revered kings.
National Holiday |
13 November
(Thursday) |
Loy Kratong
Not a national holiday, but an evening when Thais pay respect to
the goddess of the waters by floating candlelit offerings on any
and all waterways around the kingdom. |
5 December
(Friday) |
King's Birthday
His Majesty the King's birthday is celebrated throughout the
country and also serves as the nation's Fathers Day.
National Holiday |
10 December
(Wednesday) |
Constitution Day
December 10th celebrates the date in 1932 when the
country was granted its first constitution.
National Holiday |
31 December
(Wednesday) |
New Years Eve
The day before the western new year day is always a national
holiday.
National Holiday |
|
