Thailand Holidays : National Public Holidays in Thailand

Usually in a year, there are 16 public holidays in Thailand which are adopted by the cabinet. If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the following Monday.

List of National Public Holidays in Thailand

New Year’s Day : 1 January

Thai name : Wan Khuen Pi Mai (วันขึ้นปีใหม่)

1 January is the official New Year’s Day of Thailand since 1941.

Makha Bucha Day : February or March (Full moon, 3rd lunar month)

Thai name : Wan Makha Bucha (วันมาฆบูชา)

Also known as Magha Puja, Makha Bucha Day is an important Buddhist holiday commemorating the Buddha’s teaching of Ovada Patimokkha.

Chakri Memorial Day : 6 April

Thai name : Wan Chakkri (วันจักรี)

Chakri Memorial Day commemorates the founding of the Chakri Dynasty by King Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I) in 1782.

Songkran Festival : 13–15 April

Thai name : Wan Songkran (วันสงกรานต์)

Songkran festival is the traditional Thai New Year’s Day and major long holiday of Thailand.

Royal Ploughing Ceremony : May (Date determined Bureau of the Royal Household)

Thai name : (Wan Phuetcha Mongkhon (วันพืชมงคล)

Officially known as Wan Phra Ratcha Phithi Phuetcha Monkhon Lae Charot Phra Nangkhan Raek Na Khwan (วันพระราชพิธีพืชมงคลจรดพระนังคัลแรกนาขวัญ), Royal Ploughing Ceremony is the Farmer’s Dayand an ancient rite observed in Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of harvest season.

Wan Wisakha Bucha : May (Full moon, 6th lunar month)

Thai name : Wan Wisakha Bucha (วันวิสาขบูชา)

Also known as Buddha Day, Visakha Bucha Day is one of important Buddhist holidays commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday : 28 July

Thai name : Wan Chaloem Phra Chonmaphansa Somdet Phra Chao Yu Hua Maha Wachiralongkon Bodinthrathepphayawarangkun (วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษาสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัวมหาวชิราลงกรณ บดินทรเทพยวรางกูร)

28 July commemorates the birthday of King Maha Vajiralongkorn in 1952.

Asanha Bucha Day : July (Full moon, 8th lunar month)

Thai name : Wan Asanha Bucha (วันอาสาฬหบูชา)

Asanha Bucha or Asalha Puja Day is also an important Buddhist holiday commemorating the Buddha’s first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta to five ascetics.

Buddhist Lent Day : July (First waning moon, 8th lunar month)

Thai name : Wan Khao Phansa (วันเข้าพรรษา)

Wan Khao Phansa is the beginning of the Buddhist lent period (3 lunar months during the rainy season).

Queen Sirikit’s Birthday : 12 August

Thai name : Wan Chaloem Phra Chonmaphansa Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borom Rachininat Nai Ratchakan Thi Kao (วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษาสมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถในรัชกาลที่ ๙)

Also observed as the National Mother’s Day, 12 August commemorates the birthday of Queen Sirikit in 1932.

Anniversary for the Passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej : 13 October

Thai name : Wan Khlai Wan Sawankot Phra Bat Somdet Phra Paramin Maha Phumiphon Adunyadet Borommanat Bophit (วันคล้ายวันสวรรคตพระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดช บรมนาถบพิตร)

13 October commemorates the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) in 2016.

King Chulalongkorn Day : 23 October

Thai name : Wan Piya Maharat (วันปิยมหาราช)

Wan Piya Maharat commemorates the passing of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1910.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Birthday Anniversary : 5 December

Thai name : Wan Klai Wan Chaloem Phra Chonmaphansa Phra Bat Somdet Phra Paramintra Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej (วันคล้ายวันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษาพระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมนินทรมหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดช)

Also observed as the National Father’s Day, 5 December commemorates the birthday anniversay of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) in 1927.