TRAVEL INFORMATION : PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
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The Thai Calendar
Thailand has adopted the western calendar to divide the year into days, weeks and months, using Thai names for these units. Years are numbered according to the Buddhist era (BE) which commenced 543 years before the Christian era. Therefore 2007 AD is BE 2550 and 2008 is BE 2551.
National public holidays Thailand's national public holidays are linked to religious or agricultural traditions and follow the lunar calendar, therefore the dates for some of the holidays change each year. For the precise dates of the lunar holidays and festival locations, check www.tourismthailand.org
The following are national public holidays in Thailand :
24 November 2007
(Saturday) 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 2007
(Wednesday) 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 2007
(Monday) Constitution Day
December 10th celebrates the date in 1932 when the country was granted its first constitution.
National Holiday
31 December 2007
(Monday) New Years Eve
The day before the western new year day is always a national holiday.
National Holiday
1 January 2008
(Tuesday) 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
8 February 2008
(Friday) 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.
21 February 2008
(Thursday) Makha Bucha
Makha Bucha celebrates the Buddha's first sermon in to his disciples.
National Holiday
6 April 2008
(Sunday) Chakri Day
Chakri Day commeorates the founding of the current dynasty, Rama I.
National Holiday
7 April 2008
(Monday) Chakri Day (Substitution)
Some businesses may be closed.
13 April 2008
(Sunday) Songkran
Songkran is the traditional Thai new year, generally celebrated as a water festival.
National Holiday
14 April 2008
(Monday) Songkran
Second day of this three-day holiday.
National Holiday
15 April 2008
(Tuesday) Songkran
Third of the three days of Songkran.
National Holiday
1 May 2008
(Thursday) Labor Day
International labor day is celebrated as a national holiday, even though there isn't much ado about it
National Holiday
5 May 2008
(Monday) Coronation Day
Celebrates the day in 1949 when the current king was crowned.
National Holiday
19 May 2008
(Monday) Visakha Bucha
The holiest Buddhist holiday celebrates the birth, enlightenment and entry into nirvana of the Buddha.
National Holiday
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
16 August 2008
(Saturday) 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
18 August 2008
(Monday) Buddhist Lent (Substitution)
Some businesses may be closed.
23 October 2008
(Thursday) Chulalongkorn Day
Celebrates the birthday of one of Thailand's most revered kings.
National Holiday
24 November 2008
(Monday)
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
