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Thailand offers many benefits to its residents, and one of them is its sheer number of public holidays. The calendar typically has a luxurious 19 days planned throughout the year, though the cabinet may declare more as the year goes on.
Learn more about the most important public holidays in Thailand by reading the following sections:
An overview of Thailand’s holidays
Thailand offers its residents many opportunities to rest and relax. Throughout the year, a whole assortment of holidays affords you a day away from the office or school. Many of these stem from Buddhist traditions because of the religion’s influence on the country.
In addition, numerous observances and festivals are celebrated in the country but are not public holidays. For example, although Thai society recognizes Christmas, it is not an official day off.
During the official holidays, many state and government departments will shut down, including banks, the post office, and the immigration services. However, commercial entities like malls and restaurants will remain open.
Local expert
Jane Evans
Insider tips
It’s not permitted to sell alcohol during Buddhist holidays and national elections, so bars and some restaurants may close during those days.
Thai public holidays in 2024
While specific dates may vary yearly, Thailand’s holidays generally remain the same. This applies especially to those following the lunar calendar and some additional public holidays announced by the government.
| Date | Celebration |
| 1 January (Monday) | New Year’s Day (วันปีใหม่, Wan Bpee Mai) |
| 24 February (Saturday) Observed on Monday, 26 February, day off | Makha Bucha/Māgha Pūjā (มาฆบูชา, Makha Buchaa), honoring Buddha |
| 6 April (Saturday) Observed on Monday, 8 April, a day off | Chakri Memorial Day (วันจักรี, Wan Jakree), commemorating the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty by King Rama |
| 13–16 April (Saturday–Monday) | Songkran (สงกรานต์), celebrating Thai New Year |
| 1 May (Wednesday) | Labor Day (วันแรงงาน, Wan Reng Ngarn) |
| 4 May (Saturday) Observed on Monday, 6 May, day off | Coronation Day (วันฉัตรมงคล, Wan Chat Mongkon) |
| 22 May (Wednesday) | Chakri Memorial Day (วันจักรี, Wan Jakree), commemorating the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty by King Rama |
| 3 June (Monday) | Queen Suthida’s Birthday |
| 20 July (Saturday) Observed on Monday, 22 July, a day off | Buddhist Lent (เข้าพรรษา, Kow Pansaa) |
| 28 July (Sunday) Observed on Monday, 29 July, a day off | King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday (King Rama 10) |
| 12 August (Monday) | The Queen’s Birthday/Mother’s Day (วันแม่, Wan Mae) |
| 13 October (Sunday) Observed on Monday, 14 October, a day off | H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great (King Rama 9) Memorial Day |
| 23 October (Wednesday) | Chulalongkorn Day (วันปิยมหาราช, Wan Piyamararaj), commemorating King Chulalongkorn (King Rama 5) |
| 5 December (Thursday) | King Bhumibol’s Birthday (King Rama 9)/Father’s Day (วันพ่อ, Wan Por) |
| 10 December (Tuesday) | Constitution Day (วันรัฐธรรมนูญ, Wan Rattatamanoon) |
| 31 December (Tuesday) | New Year’s Eve |
Important dates in Thailand during 2024
While these are not official Thailand holidays, many people in the country will observe the traditions of these occasions.
| Date | Observance |
| 13 January (Saturday) | National Children’s Day (วันเด็กแห่งชาติ, Wan Dek Heng Chart) |
| 16 January (Tuesday) | Teacher’s Day (วันครู, Wan Kroo) |
| 10–12 February (Saturday-Monday) | Lunar New Year (ตรุษจีน, Drut Jeen) |
| 14 February (Wednesday) | Valentine’s Day (วันวาเลนไทน์, Wan Valentine) |
| 6 May (Monday) | Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day (วันพืชมงคล, Wan Peut Mongkon) |
| 31 October (Thursday) | Halloween (วันฮาโลวีน, Wạn ḥālowīn) |
| 15 November (Friday) | Loy Krathong (ลอยกระทง), the Festival of Lights |
| 24–25 December (Tuesday–Wednesday) | Christmas (คริสต์มาส, Khris̄t̒mās̄) |
Regional observances in Thailand in 2024
Thailand is a big country with different regions; some festivals and celebrations only happen in certain areas. Attending these is a great way to explore and assimilate into the local culture.
Here are some regional holidays you might want to take note of:
| Date | Festival/Observance | Region |
| 2–4 February (Friday-Sunday) | Chiang Mai Flower Festival | Chiang Mai |
| 10-12 May (Friday-Sunday) | Bun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival) | Isan/Isaan |
| Late June (Dates TBA, three days) | Phi Ta Khon (Ghost Festival) | Isan/Isaan |
| Beginning August (Dates TBA) | Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival | Isan/Isaan |
| 1-10 October (Starts on Tuesday) | Jay Festival/Phuket Vegetarian Festival/Nine Emperor Gods Festival | Phuket |
| October (Dates TBA, end of Buddhist Lest/Vassa, seven days) | Bang Fai Phaya (Naga Fireballs Festival) | Nong Kai |
| November (Dates TBC) | Yi Peng Lantern Festival | Northern Thailand/Chiang Mai |
| 24 November (Sunday) | Lopburi Monkey Festival | Lopburi |
Thai public holidays in 2025
| Date | Celebration |
| 1 January (Wednesday) | New Year’s Day |
| 12 February (Wednesday) | Makha Bucha/Māgha Pūjā (honoring Buddha) |
| 6 April (Sunday) Observed on Monday, 7 April, day off | Chakri Memorial Day (commemorates the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty by King Rama) |
| 13–16 April (Sunday–Wednesday) | Songkran (Thai New Year) |
| 1 May (Thursday) | Labor Day |
| 4 May (Sunday) Observed on Monday, 5 May, day off | Coronation Day |
| 11 May (Sunday) | Visakha Bucha (commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Lord Buddha, one of the most sacred religious observances) |
| 3 June (Tuesday) | Queen Suthida’s Birthday |
| 23 July (Wednesday) | Buddhist Lent |
| 28 July (Monday) | King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday |
| 12 August (Tuesday) | The Queen’s Birthday/Mother’s Day |
| 13 October (Monday) | H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great (King Rama 9) Memorial Day |
| 23 October (Thursday) | Chulalongkorn Day/Piyamararaj Day |
| 5 December (Friday) | King Bhumibol’s Birthday/Father’s Day |
| 10 December (Wednesday) | Constitution Day |
| 31 December (Sunday) | New Year’s Eve |
Important dates in Thailand during 2025
| Date | Observance |
| 11 January (Saturday) | National Children’s Day |
| 16 January (Thursday) | Teacher’s Day |
| 29–31 January (Wednesday–Friday) | Lunar New Year |
| 14 February (Friday) | Valentine’s Day |
| 17 May (Saturday) | Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day |
| 31 October (Friday) | Halloween |
| 6 November (Thursday) | Loy Krathong (Festival of Lights) |
| 24–25 December (Wednesday–Thursday) | Christmas |
Regional festival dates in Thailand in 2025
| Date | Festival/Observance | Region |
| February (Dates TBA) | Chiang Mai Flower Festival | Chiang Mai |
| May (Dates TBA) | Bun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival) | Isan/Isaan |
| June (Dates TBA, three days) | Phi Ta Khon (Ghost Festival) | Isan/Isaan |
| August (Dates TBA) | Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival | Isan/Isaan |
| 19–28 October (Starts on Sunday) | Jay Festival/Phuket Vegetarian Festival/Nine Emperor Gods Festival | Phuket |
| October (Dates TBA, end of Buddhist Lest/Vassa, seven days) | Bang Fai Phaya (Naga Fireballs Festival) | Nong Khai |
| November (Dates TBA, two days) | Yi Peng Lantern Festival | Northern Thailand/Chiang Mai |
| November (Dates TBA) | Lopburi Monkey Festival | Lopburi |
Thai school holidays
Unlike many countries, Thailand does not use the September to June academic calendar. Instead, public school students begin their year in May and end in March, affecting their school holidays.
If your child doesn’t speak any Thai, they may be more comfortable at an international school or private educational institution. These tend to follow the September to June calendar, so parents must remember that their school holidays may differ from the national set dates.
