When planning your trip to Thailand, it is important to keep in mind the major national holidays throughout the country.

While shops and government offices remain closed on public holidays, tourist attractions and stores are open. However, be prepared for longer journeys into the interior of the country, as demand for accommodation increases during these holidays due to Thais taking advantage of the long weekends to escape the city. Bangkok, on the other hand, is significantly quieter and less crowded on these days.

Below is a list of all public holidays observed in Thailand. Some important holidays in the Thai calendar, such as Buddhist holidays, are based on the lunar calendar and therefore fall on different dates each year. The dates of these holidays vary annually and may be adjusted according to their lunar calendar position. If a public holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute holiday is observed on the following Monday. For example, the public holidays for 2025 are listed below:

National holidays

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New Year

As in other parts of the world, the beginning of the Western New Year is celebrated as a national holiday in Thailand. The new year symbolizes a fresh start, new opportunities, and conveys hope. The New Year holidays in Thailand typically last four days, from December 30th to January 2nd, as the government often designates the days before and after New Year's Eve as holidays for Thais to celebrate this special occasion.

Makha Bucha

February 12, 2025 (varies depending on the lunar calendar)

Makha Bucha, or Magha Puja (Sanskrit), falls on the full moon day of the third lunar month. It is an important religious holiday commemorating Buddha's first sermon to his disciples. This day is not only for worship but also serves as a reminder of reflection, self-discipline, and adherence to the Buddhist teachings of peace and compassion.

The Wian Thian, a candlelit procession in which pilgrims circle the ordination hall three times on the evening of Makha Bucha, often takes place in the temples. Other traditions include meditation, listening to religious discourses, and strictly observing the Five Precepts. Since this religious holiday always precedes the four-day Songkran festival, it offers many people an excellent opportunity to travel in advance of the festivities. Please note, however, that the sale of alcohol is prohibited on this and other religious holidays.

Chakri Day

Chakri Day is an important holiday commemorating the founding of the current dynasty by its first king, Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I), in 1782. It is therefore also known as "King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great's Day" and "Chakri Dynasty Commemoration Day." One of King Rama I's most important decisions was to make Bangkok, then called Krung Thep or "City of Angels," the capital of what was then Siam.

While the holiday primarily honors the coronation of King Rama I, it also offers Thais the opportunity to acknowledge and remember the merits of all the kings of the Chakri dynasty.

Songkran

Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year and the biggest national holiday, generally celebrated as a water festival. Famous for its huge water fights and blessing ceremonies, it has been celebrated for generations and is rich in culture and tradition. Water symbolizes purification and the forgiveness of sins a person may have accumulated during the past year. By washing them away, it allows people to prepare for a fresh start in the new year.

The celebrations begin every year on April 13th and usually last four days. However, locals living outside of Bangkok typically take the entire week off. During this time, many Thais who have moved to other cities return to be with their families. If you plan to travel to Thailand during this period, it's advisable to plan ahead and avoid the crowds. Public transport to rural areas is generally packed, while Bangkok is usually quieter than usual outside of the Songkran festivities. Accommodation can be fully booked – and often at higher prices than normal.

Labor Day

International Workers' Day is observed as a national holiday in Thailand, although it is not widely celebrated. It happens to coincide with May Day, which is celebrated in many countries around the world. Although Labor Day is a public holiday, government officials do not have the day off; only employees of state-owned and private companies are eligible. Its origins lie in the eight-hour movement of labor unions, which demanded eight hours of work, eight hours of leisure, and eight hours of rest per day. Occasionally, political demonstrations also take place on Labor Day in Thailand, where workers protest for fair working conditions, higher wages, and the protection of their rights.

Coronation Day

Coronation Day commemorates the day in 1949 when the current King Rama IX was crowned. May 4th is the anniversary of the coronation of the Thai monarch, King Maha Vajiralongkorn. This event marked Thailand's first coronation ceremony in nearly 70 years, following the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX). Vajiralongkorn, who had been Crown Prince since 1972, ascended the throne in 2016. However, his official coronation did not take place until May 4, 2019.

Visakha Bucha

May 11, 2025 (varies depending on the lunar calendar)

Visakha Bucha Day, also simply called Vesak Day, falls on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month and, like Makha Bucha Day, therefore always falls on the same date. As the second most important Buddhist holiday, many families begin the day by visiting a temple to offer food and other gifts to the monks. Throughout the day, worshippers have the opportunity to attend Buddhist teachings at temples across the country. In the evening, the special Wian Thian ceremony takes place, in which participants walk clockwise around the main temple building three times, carrying candles, incense, and flowers.

Queen Suthida's birthday

Her Majesty Queen Suthida's birthday was added to the list of national holidays in 2019 following the official coronation of King Vajiralongkorn.

Asanha Bucha

July 11, 2025 (varies depending on the lunar calendar)

Asanha Bucha Day is the third most important Buddhist holiday after Makha Bucha and Visakha Bucha, commemorating the Buddha's first sermon over 2,500 years ago. The exact date of Asanha Bucha Day varies annually, as it always falls on the full moon of the eighth lunar month, which usually occurs in July or August. As on other Buddhist holidays, worshippers visit temples on Asanha Bucha Day to accumulate merit. The sale of alcohol is prohibited, as is customary on other major religious holidays.

Buddhist Lent

The Buddhist Lenten season, called "Khao Phansa" in Thai, marks the beginning of the three-month fasting period. This time is also known as the "Rainy Season Retreat" because it falls during the rainy season. Monks are forbidden from leaving their temples during this time to prevent accidentally trampling farmers' crops and to avoid travel, which can be difficult due to the rainy weather. During this period, the monks dedicate themselves strictly to Buddhist teachings, abstain from certain activities, and teach novices.

For laypeople, it also marks a time when new life is created and an opportunity to dedicate themselves to religious practices such as meditation, listening to sermons, and following strict Buddhist teachings.

King Vajiralongkorn's birthday

The birthday of His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) was added to the list of national holidays following his official coronation in 2019.

Queen Mother Sirikit's birthday

Her Majesty Queen Mother Sirikit's birthday is celebrated as a national holiday and also serves as the country's Mother's Day.

Death anniversary of King Bhumibol

In honor of the late King Bhumibol (Rama IX), who died on October 13, 2016, a day was added to the list of national holidays to commemorate his death.

Chulalongkorn Commemoration Day

The Commemoration Day of King Chulalongkorn, also known in Thailand as "Wan Piya Maharaj," marks the death of King Chulalongkorn. The fifth king of the Chakri Dynasty, also known as King Rama V, implemented significant reforms in Thailand across various sectors, including education, the military, and the national railway system. Two of his greatest achievements were the abolition of slavery in Thailand through the Emancipation Act and the prevention of colonization by Western powers. King Rama V accomplished this through diplomatic negotiations with France and Great Britain, which had colonized Thailand's neighboring countries. He is deeply revered by the people for achieving all of this without the use of force. The king's reign, from 1868 to 1910, was a period of tremendous social and economic progress. His portrait, along with those of the late King Rama IX and the current King Rama X, is frequently displayed in private homes, businesses, and public halls throughout the country.

King Bhumibol's birthday

The birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol, also known as King Rama IX, is celebrated nationwide and is also considered Father's Day. Like his grandfather King Rama V, who significantly improved the country, King Bhumibol dedicated himself to improving the living conditions of the Thai people through numerous projects in agriculture and renewable energy. One of his most remarkable achievements was the development of the Khrong Kan Kaem Ling (โครงการแก้มลิง), the so-called monkey cheek water reservoirs. These serve to store water during periods of drought and prevent flooding. Among the other significant agricultural projects undertaken by His Majesty is Khrong Kan Klaeng Din (โครงการแกล้งดิน), which literally translates as "playing a trick on the soil." This involves transforming highly acidic soil into fertile, agriculturally suitable soil through repeated drying and flooding.

Constitution Day

Thailand's Constitution Day on December 10th is dedicated to celebrating the country's first permanent constitution, adopted in 1932. Prior to this, kings ruled Thailand with absolute power for over 800 years. The new constitution ushered Thailand into the modern era, transforming it into a constitutional monarchy.

New Year's Eve

The day before Western New Year's Day is always a national holiday.

Frequently asked questions about holidays in Thailand

How many Thai public holidays will there be in 2025?

In Thailand, there are approximately 35 national holidays and commemorative days in 2025, although not all of them are legal holidays. On 21 legal holidays, most businesses and all schools are closed. On national holidays such as Chinese New Year or Children's Day, however, only certain offices are closed, while the rest remain open as usual.

Is everything closed in Thailand on public holidays?

If it's just a seasonal or one-time holiday, things generally continue as normal in Thailand. While schools and many shops are closed on public holidays, the country doesn't come to a standstill. Thailand is a tourism-dependent country with a modern economy, so many tourist attractions remain open, as do shopping malls, restaurants, and most other places of interest to visitors.

Which holiday is the biggest in Thailand?

Songkran is by far the biggest holiday in Thailand, lasting several days. It encompasses the largest festivals, the most extensive celebrations, and holds immense significance for modern Thai culture. It can be compared to Christmas in the USA, with its long holiday, elaborate decorations and festivities, and its prominent place in the national consciousness.

Is it legal to buy alcohol on Thai holidays?

It depends on the specific holiday. On Buddhist holidays, the sale of alcohol in shops and restaurants is generally prohibited. However, the consumption of alcohol is not prohibited on these days, and not all Thai holidays are Buddhist. On other national holidays, alcohol is sold, but only at certain times of day (between 11:00 and 14:00 and between 17:00 and midnight), just like on any other day in Thailand.