Below is the standard public holidays as well as celebrated/observed days (that may not fall on a national holiday) in Thailand. Some of the holidays follows the lunar calendar, which varies from one year to the other.
To view Buddhist Observation Days (Wan Phra), visit this page.
THAILAND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2024
JANUARY 2024 (มกราคม 2567)
New Year’s Day (1 January each year)
FEBRUARY 2024 (กุมภาพันธ์ 2567)
Magha Puja Day (Saturday, 24 February 2024)
A public holiday commemorating the gathering of Lord Buddha’s disciples that culminates with a candelit walk around the main hall of every temple in the country.
APRIL 2024 (เมษายน 2567)
Chakri Memorial Day (6 April each year)
Commemorating the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, King Rama I
Songkran Festival (Saturday 13 April 2024- Monday 15 April 2024)
Thai New Year. Water is splashed on everyone in a ‘gesture of good luck’ for the new year. In some places, colourful water based paints are also splashed- so don’t go out dressed in your expensive clothes.
MAY 2024 (พฤษภาคม 2567)
Labor Day (1 May each year)
It is a holiday for some organizations like banks but some offices do work on that day.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day (6 May 2024 tentative)
Held when the rice growing season begins
Visakha Puja Day/ Vesak Day/ Wesak Day (22 May 2024)
Commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Lord Buddha.
JUNE 2024 (มิถุนายน 2567)
Her Majesty Queen Suthida’s Birthday (3 June each year)
JULY 2024 (กรกฎาคม 2567)
Asalha Puja Day (Saturday, 20 July 2024)
The day the Buddha delivered the first sermon
Khao Phansa/ Buddhist Lent (Sunday, 21 July 2024- replacement off day on Monday)
Celebrate the beginning of Buddhist lent, or the rains retreat.
His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday (28 July each year)
AUGUST 2024 (สิงหาคม 2567)
H.M Queen’s birthday/ Mother’s Day (12 August each year)
Celebrating the birthday of Queen Sirikit of Thailand also known as Mother’s Day.
OCTOBER 2024 (ตุลาคม 2567)
His Majesty The Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej Memorial Day (13 October each year)
The day of the passing of King Bhumibol, Thailand’s beloved king.
Chulalongkorn Memorial Day (23 October each year)
Commemorate the passing away of King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V)
DECEMBER 2024 (ธันวาคม 2567)
King Bhumibol’s birthday (Father’s Day) (5 December each year)
The birthday of the late King Bhumibol which is also known as Father’s Day.
Constitution Day (10 December each year)
To celebrate the day of Thailand’s democratic constitution
New Year’s Eve (31 December each year)
NON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS (but celebrated/observed in some communities):
1.Chinese New Year (10 February 2024)
A week of festivities and fireworks display in the Chinese neighborhood throughout Thailand
2.Cheng Ming (Tomb sweeping day) (4 April 2024)
Chinese community visit the grave of their ancestors (view post from my other blog).
3. Attami Bucha Day (30 May 2024)
Also known as the Buddha’s Cremation Commemorative Day which falls on the 8th day after Visakha Bucha day.
4. Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival Day (18 August 2024)
(View paranormal stories from my other blog)
5. Mooncake Festival (17 September 2024)
Celebrated mainly by the Chinese Thai community.
6. Thai Ghost Festival (2 October 2024)
7. Vegetarian Festival (3 October- 11 October 2024)
During this time, vegetarian food is available as some would be observing vegetarian diet.
8. End of Buddhist Lent / Rains Retreat Day (17 October 2024- 15 November 2024)
After the Buddhist lent has been completed, Kathina ceremony would begin from the next day onwards. The date differs from one temple to another (nearby temples usually arrange on different weekends from each other). It is usually held on weekends to enable devotees to go and make offerings of requisities to the monks.
9. Halloween (31 October each year)
10. Loy Krathong (15 November 2024)
It is a celebration of lights, floats and releasing of laterns. Places like Chao Phraya river (Bangkok), Chiang Mai and Sukhothai would come alive with lights, floating laterns and river boat floats.
11. Christmas (25 December 2024)
Christmas is not a public holiday. But many retail outlets and shopping complex would have year end sale. There is a strong festive feel during that time, not to mention it is the best time of the year for clearance sales.
