Holidays & Festivals
Thailand has a large number of festivals and holidays. Exact dates for festivals may vary from year to year, either because of the lunar calendar, which is not synchronised with the solar calendar, or because local authorities decide to change festival dates.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand publishes an up-to-date Major Events and Festivals Calendar each year which will be published below. The following are just a few of the major holidays and festivals in Thailand, many many more local and provincial events take place throughout Thailand during the course of a year:
New Years Day
(1st January)
Magha Puja Day
(Full moon, third lunar month)
A public holiday commemorating the gathering of the Lord Buddha's disciples that culminates with a candlelit walk around the main chapel of every temple across the country.
Chinese New Year
(Late January to early February)
A week of festivals and firework displays in the Chinese neighbourhoods throughout Thailand.
Chakri Day
(6th April)
A public holiday commemorating the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, King Rama I.
Songkran Festival
(13th - 15th April)
Thai New Year. Water is splashed on everyone in a gesture of "good luck" for the New Year. Be prepared to get wet.
Labour Day
(1st May)
A public holiday.
Coronation Day
(5th May)
A public holiday celebrating the coronation of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX).
Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day
(May)
Held in May when the rice-growing seasons begins.
Visakha Puja Day
(Full moon, sixth lunar month)
A public holiday commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Lord Buddha.
Asalha Puja Day
(Full moon, eighth lunar month)
A public holiday marking the Lord Buddha's first sermon.
Khao Phansa
(July)
A public holiday celebrating the beginning of Buddhist lent.
H.M. the Queen's Birthday / Mother's Day
(12th August)
A public holiday celebrating the birth of Queen Sirikit of Thailand.
Ok Phansa
(October)
End of Buddhist lent.
Chulalongkorn Day
(23rd Ocober)
A public holiday to commemorate the death of King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V).
Loi Kratong Festival
(Full moon, twelth lunar month)
This most charming of all Thai celebrations usually falls in November.
H.M. the King's Birthday
(5th December)
A public holiday to celebrate H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Birthday.
Constitution Day
(10th December)
A public holiday celebrating Thailand's democratic constitution.
New Year's Eve
(31st December)
Celebrations across the country to ring in the new year.
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