Countryaah.com

Thailand Public Holidays

by · Published · Updated

Thailand Public Holidays

Searching for the national holidays in Thailand? All public holidays in Thailand are treated like Sundays. This means that most of the Thailand employees have a day off and all schools are closed on these office holidays. If you are planning a trip to Thailand and want to know what the national and regional holidays are, check the details in the tables below.

Holidays in Thailand

Thailand is known for its rich cultural traditions, and its public holidays reflect a blend of Buddhist religious events, royal celebrations, and national festivals. Understanding these holidays is important for anyone visiting or doing business in Thailand.

Religious Holidays

According to proexchangerates.com, Buddhism is the dominant religion in Thailand, and many public holidays are deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions. These holidays often involve visits to temples, merit-making, and various religious ceremonies.

Makha Bucha Day

  • Date: Varies (February or March, based on the lunar calendar)
  • Significance: Commemorates the day when 1,250 disciples spontaneously gathered to hear Buddha’s teachings without any prior invitation.
  • Traditions:
    • Monks lead candlelight processions known as wian tian around the main chapel of temples.
    • People offer food, flowers, and incense to monks and make merit by giving donations.

Visakha Bucha Day

  • Date: Varies (May or June, based on the lunar calendar)
  • Significance: Celebrates three important events in the Buddha’s life: his birth, enlightenment, and death.
  • Traditions:
    • People visit temples to pray and participate in religious rituals.
    • Public parades, candlelight vigils, and wian tian processions are held in honor of Buddha.

Asahna Bucha Day

  • Date: Varies (July, based on the lunar calendar)
  • Significance: Marks the day when Buddha delivered his first sermon, setting in motion the ‘Wheel of Dharma’.
  • Traditions:
    • People visit temples for prayers and offerings.
    • A candle procession is held in some regions, where people donate large candles to temples to use during the rainy season.

Khao Phansa Day (Buddhist Lent)

  • Date: The day after Asahna Bucha (July or August)
  • Significance: Marks the beginning of the three-month Buddhist Lent, during which monks retreat to monasteries for intensive meditation and study.
  • Traditions:
    • Monks remain within their monasteries, and many Buddhists abstain from alcohol and make merit.
    • Candle festivals, like those in Ubon Ratchathani, are popular to celebrate the occasion.

Royal and National Holidays

Thailand has several holidays that celebrate the royal family and the nation’s sovereignty. The monarchy plays an important role in Thai culture, and these holidays often feature grand ceremonies and public festivities.

Chakri Memorial Day

  • Date: April 6
  • Significance: Honors King Rama I, the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, and commemorates the establishment of Bangkok as the capital of Thailand.
  • Traditions:
    • Wreath-laying ceremonies are held at the royal statues of King Rama I.
    • Government offices and schools are closed, though it’s not an official holiday for the private sector.

Coronation Day

  • Date: May 4
  • Significance: Commemorates the coronation of the current king, King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X).
  • Traditions:
    • The king leads a public oath ceremony for military and government officials.
    • Ceremonies are held across the country, with monks praying for the prosperity of the kingdom.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday

  • Date: July 28
  • Significance: Celebrates the birthday of the current king, King Vajiralongkorn.
  • Traditions:
    • Public events and ceremonies are organized to show respect to the king.
    • Thai citizens often wear yellow as a symbol of loyalty and respect to the monarchy.

Queen Sirikit’s Birthday (Mother’s Day)

  • Date: August 12
  • Significance: Marks the birthday of Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and is celebrated as Mother’s Day in Thailand.
  • Traditions:
    • The day is marked by family gatherings and offerings of jasmine flowers, a symbol of motherhood in Thailand.
    • Public buildings are decorated with the queen’s portrait and lit up with lights.

King Bhumibol Memorial Day

  • Date: October 13
  • Significance: Marks the death anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), Thailand’s beloved former king.
  • Traditions:
    • People participate in remembrance ceremonies across the country.
    • Government officials lay wreaths and flowers at statues of King Bhumibol.

Chulalongkorn Day

  • Date: October 23
  • Significance: Honors King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), one of Thailand’s most revered kings, known for his modernization reforms and the abolition of slavery.
  • Traditions:
    • Wreaths are laid at statues of King Chulalongkorn, especially at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok.
    • Many Thai people reflect on the progress made during his reign, and public schools and government offices are closed.

National Holidays

These holidays celebrate significant events in Thailand’s history, including its independence and the change of political systems. They are observed nationwide with various ceremonies and festivities.

New Year’s Day

  • Date: January 1
  • Significance: A global celebration of the New Year, widely observed in Thailand.
  • Traditions:
    • People visit temples to make merit for the coming year.
    • Fireworks, concerts, and countdown events are organized in major cities.

Songkran (Thai New Year)

  • Date: April 13–15
  • Significance: Marks the traditional Thai New Year, a time of water blessings and celebration.
  • Traditions:
    • People pour water over Buddha statues, monks, and elders to show respect and seek blessings.
    • Public water fights have become popular in modern times, particularly in Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
    • Family reunions and visits to temples are also common during this period.

National Labor Day

  • Date: May 1
  • Significance: Celebrates the contributions of workers to the country.
  • Traditions:
    • Labor unions organize rallies and events to raise awareness about workers’ rights.
    • It is a public holiday for the private sector, while government offices remain open.

Constitution Day

  • Date: December 10
  • Significance: Marks the adoption of the first permanent constitution of Thailand in 1932, which transitioned the country from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.
  • Traditions:
    • Official ceremonies are held at the National Assembly and various government institutions.
    • Government offices and schools are closed, and flags are flown across the nation.

Cultural and Regional Holidays

In addition to religious, royal, and national holidays, Thailand also has holidays that celebrate regional traditions and other significant cultural events.

Loy Krathong

  • Date: Varies (November, based on the lunar calendar)
  • Significance: Celebrates the festival of lights, where Thais float small, decorated baskets called krathongs on rivers and waterways to pay respect to the water goddess.
  • Traditions:
    • People gather near rivers to release their krathongs, which symbolize letting go of past misfortunes.
    • Fireworks, traditional music, and dance performances are part of the celebration.

Father’s Day

  • Date: December 5
  • Significance: Commemorates the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and is also celebrated as Father’s Day.
  • Traditions:
    • Families honor their fathers by offering garlands of marigolds, the flower symbolizing fatherhood.
    • Ceremonies are held nationwide to celebrate the life and contributions of King Bhumibol.

Chinese New Year

  • Date: Varies (January or February, based on the lunar calendar)
  • Significance: Celebrated by the Thai-Chinese community, the Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the lunar new year.
  • Traditions:
    • People wear red clothing, offer food to ancestors, and give red envelopes (containing money) to children.
    • Lion dances and dragon processions are held in Chinatown districts, especially in Bangkok.

Observance and Public Participation

Government and Business Closures

  • On major national holidays, government offices, banks, and public schools are closed.
  • Many businesses, particularly in the retail and tourism sectors, remain open on public holidays.

Public Participation

  • Thais observe religious holidays by visiting temples, while royal holidays often involve ceremonies organized by local governments.
  • Cultural festivals, such as Songkran and Loy Krathong, are celebrated with public events, street performances, and large gatherings.

Tourism Impact

  • Thailand’s public holidays provide unique experiences for tourists, especially during cultural festivals like Songkran and Loy Krathong.
  • Some holidays, like the Chinese New Year, may be more widely celebrated in specific regions, such as Bangkok’s Chinatown.

Thailand Public Holidays

Read more: