Thailand Public Holidays
 A parade that forms part of the Loy Kratong celebrations in Chiang Mai. |
When planning your trip, you should be aware of the major national holidays celebrated throughout the country. However, although businesses and government offices are closed on public holidays, tourist attractions and shops are almost never closed. The main impact on the tourist of these holidays is the increased competition for travel and accommodation from Thais who use long weekends to get away from the big city.
The list below shows all of the public holidays as well as some of the more important nationwide celebrations that aren't national holidays. Many of the most important holidays on the Thai calendar are based on the lunar calendar and therefore will occur on different days from year to year. The dates for these holidays in 2009 are calculated estimates and may be subject to correction. There are almost always festivals or other events arranged around these dates:
| 12 August 2008 (Tuesday) |
Queen's Birthday Her Majesty the Queen's birthday is a national holiday, also serving as the country's Mothers Day as well. National Holiday |
| 23 October 2008 (Thursday) |
Chulalongkorn Day Celebrates the birthday of one of Thailand's most revered kings. National Holiday |
| 13 November 2008 (Thursday) |
Loy Kratong Not a national holiday, but an evening when Thais pay respect to the goddess of the waters by floating candlelit offerings on any and all waterways around the kingdom. |
| 5 December 2008 (Friday) |
King's Birthday His Majesty the King's birthday is celebrated throughout the country and also serves as the nation's Fathers Day. National Holiday |
| 10 December 2008 (Wednesday) |
Constitution Day December 10th celebrates the date in 1932 when the country was granted its first constitution. National Holiday |
| 31 December 2008 (Wednesday) |
New Years Eve The day before the western new year day is always a national holiday. National Holiday |
| 1 January 2009 (Thursday) |
New Year's Day The beginning of the western new year is a national holiday in Thaland, one of three "new year" holidays celebrated every year. National Holiday |
| 26 January 2009 (Monday) |
Chinese New Year The beginning of the Chinese lunar year is celebrated in the Chinatowns of every city throughout Thailand. Some businesses close for the day, but it is not a national holiday. |
| 9 February 2009 (Monday) |
Makha Bucha Makha Bucha celebrates the Buddha's first sermon in to his disciples. National Holiday |
| 6 April 2009 (Monday) |
Chakri Day Chakri Day commeorates the founding of the current dynasty, Rama I. National Holiday |
| 13 April 2009 (Monday) |
Songkran Songkran is the traditional Thai new year, generally celebrated as a water festival. National Holiday |
| 14 April 2009 (Tuesday) |
Songkran Second day of this three-day holiday. National Holiday |
| 15 April 2009 (Wednesday) |
Songkran Third of the three days of Songkran. National Holiday |
| 1 May 2009 (Friday) |
Labor Day International labor day is celebrated as a national holiday, even though there isn't much ado about it National Holiday |
| 5 May 2009 (Tuesday) |
Coronation Day Celebrates the day in 1949 when the current king was crowned. National Holiday |
| 8 May 2009 (Friday) |
Visakha Bucha The holiest Buddhist holiday celebrates the birth, enlightenment and entry into nirvana of the Buddha. National Holiday |
| 7 July 2009 (Tuesday) |
Buddhist Lent This day marks the beginning of the Buddhist 'lent' period, a time when monks are supposed to retreat to their temples while new life springs forth. National Holiday |
