Public holidays in Thailand
Public holidays in Thailand are controlled by the government. Most holidays are observed by both the public and private sectors.
Public holidays
| Date | Name | Local name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day | Thai: วันขึ้นปีใหม่ | Celebrates beginning of the solar and Gregorian year. From 1889–1941, this was held on 1 April. |
| Full moon, 3rd Thai lunar month (February)month b | Magha Puja | วันมาฆบูชา (Wan Makha Bucha) | Buddhist observance commemorating the Buddha's teaching of Ovada Patimokkha.[1] |
| 6 April | Chakri Memorial Day | วันจักรี (Wan Chakkri) | Commemorates the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty and the founding of Bangkok by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke in 1782. Officially known as King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great Day and Chakri Dynasty Memorial Day (วันพระบาทสมเด็จพระพุทธยอดฟ้าจุฬาโลกมหาราชและวันที่ระลึกมหาจักรีบรมราชวงศ์). |
| 13 April – 15 April | Songkran Festival | วันสงกรานต์ (Wan Songkran) | Traditional Thai new year, and prime holiday of the year; many people return home for family reunions during this period. The first day is known as วันมหาสงกรานต์ (Wan Maha Songkran), the second as วันเนา (Wan Nao), and the third as วันเถลิงศก (Wan Thaloeng Sok). The 14th is also observed as Family Day. |
| 5 May | Coronation Day | วันฉัตรมงคล (Wan Chattra Mongkhon) | Commemorates the coronation of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1950. |
| May, arbitrary date | Royal Ploughing Ceremony and Farmer's Day | วันพืชมงคล (Wan Phuetcha Mongkhon)a | Ceremony giving blessing to the country's farmers. Officially known as วันพระราชพิธีพืชมงคลจรดพระนังคัลแรกนาขวัญ (Wan Phra Ratcha Phithi Phuetcha Monkhon Lae Charot Phra Nangkhan Raek Na Khwan). Also observed as Farmer's Day. Each year's date is astrologically determined and announced by the Bureau of the Royal House Hold. Archived 2012-04-12 at the Wayback Machine |
| Full moon, 6th Thai lunar month (May)month b | Vesak | วันวิสาขบูชา (Wan Wisakha Bucha) | Buddhist observance commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. Also observed as National Tree Day. |
| Full moon, 8th Thai lunar month (July)month b | Asalha Puja | วันอาสาฬหบูชา (Wan Asanha Bucha) | Buddhist observance commemorating the Buddha's first discourse, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. |
| First waning moon, 8th Thai lunar month (July)month b | Beginning of Vassa | วันเข้าพรรษา (Wan Khao Phansa)a | Buddhist observance marking the beginning of Vassa, also known as Buddhist Lent. |
| 12 August | HM the Queen's Birthday | วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษาสมเด็จพระนางเจ้าฯ พระบรมราชินีนาถ (Wan Chaloem Phra Chonmaphansa Somdet Phranang Chao Phra Boromma Rachininat) | Commemorates the birthday of Queen Sirikit in 1932; also observed as National Mother's Day (วันแม่แห่งชาติ; Wan Mae Haeng Chat). |
| 23 October | Chulalongkorn Day | วันปิยมหาราช (Wan Piya Maharat) | Commemorates the passing of King Chulalongkorn in 1910. |
| 5 December | HM the King's Birthday | วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษาพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว (Wan Chaloem Phra Chonmaphansa Phrabat Somdet Phra Chao Yuhua) | Commemorates the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1927. Also observed as National Day and National Father's Day. |
| 10 December | Constitution Day | วันรัฐธรรมนูญ ( Wan Rattha Thammanun) | Commemorates the promulgation of the first permanent constitution in 1932. |
| 31 December | New Year's Eve | วันสิ้นปี (Wan Sin Pi) | Final day of the Gregorian year. |
National observances
These observances are controlled by the government, but are not observed as holidays.
| Date | Observance | Local name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Saturday of January | National Children's Day | วันเด็กแห่งชาติ (Wan Dek Haeng Chat) | Widely celebrated, especially by governmental agencies, with many activities for children. Observed on this day since 1965; was observed on the first Monday of October from 1955–1964. |
| 14 January | National Forest Conservation Day | วันอนุรักษ์ทรัพยากรป่าไม้ของชาติ (Wan Anurak Sappayakon Pa Mai Khong Chat) | Observance promoting the conservation of the nation's forests and the work against deforestation. |
| 16 January | Teachers' Day | วันครู (Wan Khru) | Honours teachers countrywide. Schools may observe this day as a holiday, especially those under the authority of the Office of the Basic Education Commission. Observed since 1957. |
| 18 January | Elephant Duel Day | วันยุทธหัตถี (Wan Yuttha Hatthi) | Commemorates King Naresuan's victorious elephant duel against the Burmese Uparaja, calculated to be in 1593. Observed on this date since 2007 (on 25 Jan, before that). Officially known as วันสมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช (King Naresuan the Great Day). |
| 18 January | Royal Thai Armed Forces Day | วันกองทัพไทย (Wan Kong Thap Thai) | changed from 25 January |
| 2 February | Inventor's Day | วันนักประดิษฐ์ (Wan Nak Pradit) | Commemorates the patent registration of King Bhumibol's Chai Phatthana paddle wheel aerator in 1993. Observed since 1995. |
| 3 February | Veterans' Day | วันทหารผ่านศึก (Wan Thahan Phan Suek) | Commemorates the founding of the War Veterans Organization of Thailand. Remembrance ceremonies are held at Victory Monument. |
| 24 February | National Artist Day | วันศิลปินแห่งชาติ (Wan Sinlapin Haeng Chat) | National Artists are honoured on this day, which commemorates King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai's birth. |
| 8 March | International Women's Day | วันสตรีสากล (Wan Sotri Sakon) | Commemorates women's rights. [1] Archived 2012-03-11 at the Wayback Machine |
| 31 March | King Nangklao Memorial Day | วันที่ระลึกพระบาทสมเด็จพระนั่งเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัวฯ (Wan Thi Raluek Phra Bat Somdet Phra Nangklao Chao Yuhua) | Commemorates the birthday of King Nangklao; observed since 1998. |
| 1 April | Civil Service Day | วันข้าราชการพลเรือน (Wan Kha Ratchakan Phonlaruean) | Commemorates the enactment of the first Civil Service Act in 1928; observed since 1979. |
| 2 April | Thai Heritage Conservation Day | วันอนุรักษ์มรดกไทย (Wan Anurak Moradok Thai) | Commemorates the birthday of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn; observed since 1995. |
| 30 April | Consumer Protection Day | วันคุ้มครองผู้บริโภค (Wan Khumkhrong Phu Borophok) | Observed since 1980. |
| 1 May | National Labour Day | วันแรงงานแห่งชาติ (Wan Raeng Ngan Haeng Chat) | Observed as a holiday by most of the private sector. |
| 26 June | Sunthorn Phu Day | วันสุนทรภู่ (Wan Sunthon Phu) | Commemorates the birth of Sunthorn Phu in 1786. |
| 29 July | National Thai Language Day | วันภาษาไทยแห่งชาติ (Wan Phasa Thai Haeng Chat) | |
| 18 August | National Science Day | วันวิทยาศาสตร์แห่งชาติ (Wan Witthayasat Haeng Chat) | Commemorates King Mongkut's prediction and observation of a total solar eclipse in 1868. |
| 20 September | National Youth Day | วันเยาวชนแห่งชาติ (Wan Yaowachon Haeng Chat) | Commemorates the birth dates of Kings Chulalongkorn and Ananda Mahidol. |
| 24 September | Mahidol Day | วันมหิดล (Wan Mahidon) | Commemorates the passing of Prince Father Mahidol Adulyadej, the "Father of Thai Modern Medicine". |
| 17 October | National Police Day | วันตำรวจ (Wan Tamruat) | |
| 21 October | National Nurses' Day | วันพยาบาลแห่งชาติ (Wan Phayaban Haeng Chat) | Commemorates the birth of Princess Srinagarindra the Princess Mother. |
| 25 November | Vajiravudh Day | วันวชิราวุธ (Wan Wachirawut) | Commemorates the passing of King Vajiravudh in 1925. |
| 1 December | Damrong Rajanubhab Day | วันดำรงราชานุภาพ (Wan Damrong Rachanuphap) | Commemorates the passing of Prince Damrong Rajanubhab. Observed since 2001. |
| 4 December | Thai Environment Day | วันสิ่งแวดล้อมไทย (Wan Singwaetlom Thai) | Observed since 1991. |
| 16 December | National Sports Day | วันกีฬาแห่งชาติ (Wan Kila Haeng Chat) | Commemorates King Bhumibol's gold medal in sailing at the 1967 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games. Observed since 1986. |
| 28 December | King Taksin Memorial Day | วันสมเด็จพระเจ้าตากสินมหาราช (Wan Somdet Phra Chao Taksin Maharat) | Commemorates the accession of King Taksin in 1768. |
Other observances
| Date | Observance | Local name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 February | National Agriculture Day | วันเกษตรแห่งชาติ (Wan Kaset Haeng Chat) | |
| 1st day of the Chinese calendar (February)month2 a | Chinese New Year | วันตรุษจีน (Wan Trut Chin) | Observed by Thai Chinese and parts of the private sector. Usually celebrated for three days, starting on the day before the Chinese New Year's Eve. |
| 14 February | Valentine's Day | วันวาเลนไทน์ (Wan Walenthai) | |
| 8th waning moon, 6th Thai lunar month (May–June)month2 a | Atthami Puja | วันอัฐมีบูชา (Wan Atthami Bucha) | Buddhist observance commemorating the Buddha's cremation. |
| 5th day, 5th Chinese lunar month | Duanwu Festival | วันไหว้ขนมจ้าง (Wan Wai Khanom Chang) | Chinese festival |
| 1 July | National Scout Day | วันลูกเสือแห่งชาติ (Wan Luk Suea Haeng Chat) | Commemorates the founding of scouting in Thailand by King Vajiravudh in 1911. |
| Mid-year Bank Holiday | วันหยุดกลางปีธนาคาร (Wan Yut Klang Pi Thanakhan) | In contrast with bank holidays in the United Kingdom, this holiday is observed only by banks. | |
| 15th day, 7th Chinese lunar month (August)month2 a | Ghost Festival | วันสารทจีน (Wan Sat Chin) | Known as Sat Chin to differentiate from Sat Thai (see below). |
| 15th day, 8th Chinese lunar month (September)month2 a | Moon Festival | วันไหว้พระจันทร์ (Wan Wai Phra Chan) | Chinese festival |
| 16 August | Defeat of Japan | Freedom Day | Largely ignored except by Seri Thai and friends |
| New moon, 10th Thai lunar month (September–October)month2 a | Sat Thai Day | วันสารทไทย (Wan Sat Thai) | Traditional mid-year festival, now celebrated mostly in Nakhon Si Thammarat |
| 1st–9th days, 9th Chinese lunar month (September–October)month2 a | Vegetarian Festival | เทศกาลกินเจ (Thetsakan Kin Che) | Usually corresponds with Sat Thai Day, depending on the differences between the Thai and Chinese lunar calendars. |
| Full moon, 11th Thai lunar month (October)month2 a | Pavarana | วันออกพรรษา (Wan Ok Phansa) | Marks the end of the three-month Vassa and the beginning of the Kathina period the following day. |
| Full moon, 12th Thai lunar month (November)month2 a | Loy Krathong | วันลอยกระทง (Wan Loi Krathong) | Observed as Yee Peng Lantern Festival Archived 2013-02-28 at the Wayback Machine (ญี่เปง) in Chiangmai; it is the 2nd lunar month, Duean Yi (เดือนญี่), of the old Lanna Kingdom calendar. |
| 25 December | Christmas | วันคริสต์มาส (Wan Khrit Mat) | Religious for Christians and widely observed commercially. |
- ^a Months in which the dates usually fall.
References
- ↑ The three-line Ovada-Patimokkha Gatha (Pali: "Patimokkha Exhortation Verse") (translated in Dhammayut Order in the United States of America, 1994) includes the Buddha's famous dictum: "Not doing any evil, doing what is skillful, purifying one's own mind, this is the Buddha's teaching." This verse is familiar to many Westerners because it is rehashed in the widely popular Dhammapada, chapter XIV, verses 183-85 (Thanissaro, 1997a).
Other websites
- Thai Calendar; for children.
- Thailand Holidays 2010 Archived 2011-01-20 at the Wayback Machine, Thailand Holidays 2011 Archived 2010-12-26 at the Wayback Machine
- Public Holidays and Bar Closures in Thailand Archived 2019-03-21 at the Wayback Machine;