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Thailand's Public Holidays
1 January: New Year's Day. Thailand is blessed with two new years (well three including Chinese New Year). This is the official New Year bringing Thailand in line with the rest of the world, but the real Thai New Year, celebrated wildly, is 'Songkran ' in April.
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January/February: Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year falls on the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar. Every year it happens on a different day, but it is between January 19th and February 21st. It is an important festival day for Thailand's large Chinese population.
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Feb/March: Magha Bucha Day. Magha Puja is one of the most important Buddhist celebrations. It falls on the full moon of the third lunar month (about the last week of February or early March) of the year. It marks the day on which Buddha recited the 'Ovadha Patimokkha' or the 'Fundamental Teaching' to his followers.
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6 April: Chakri Day. Chakri Day marks the founding of the present Royal Dynasty ruling Thailand.
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13-15 April: Songkran (Thai New Year). This is like Christmas and New Year all rolled into one. The country comes to a standstill and everyone goes home to their own province where they generally take part in a nationwide orgy of water flinging and drinking that seems to go on for days. This is all to celebrate traditional Thai New Year. There are many ceremonies, both religious and traditional. There are also many parties. It is a time of family get together and is therefore very important in the Thai calendar. It is also a time of mass carnage on the roads. Many people die or are injured every year due to reckless drinking or the murderous flinging of water at moving vehicles.
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1 May: Labour Day. Thailand celebrates International Labour Day.
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5 May: Coronation Day. On this day Thai people celebrate the coronation of their beloved King, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It took place on 5 May 1950. His Majesty is the ninth King of the Chakri Dynasty.
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May/June: Visakha Bucha. A Buddhist holiday celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha. It falls on the 15th day of the waxing moon in the 6th lunar month.
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1 July: Mid Year Bank Holiday. A non governmental closing day.
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July: Khao Phansa Day (Buddhist Lent). The beginning of 'Phansa', or Buddhist lent when the rains come and monks retreat to the temple for three months. It starts on the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month.
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12 August: HM the Queen's Birthday.
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23 October: Chulalongkorn Day. This day celebrates King Rama V, King Chulalongkorn. He is a revered, almost worshipped, figure in Thailand. He both modernised Thailand and yet, maybe, saved it from colonisation or destruction at the end of the 19th Century.
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November: Loy Kratong. Although not an official holiday Loy Kratong is celebrated annually on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, Loy Kratong is one of Thailand's most elegant festivals until the drinking starts. Its origins lie in the Hindu 'pujas' of India where small boats of leaves and candles are floated out on water with a prayer. In Thailand little boats, or kratong, of banana leaves with some incense, candles and flowers are floated out on sea, lakes and rivers all over the country. People wear elegant traditional clothing. It is best seen in the ancient capital of Sukhothai or around the temples of Ayuthaya.
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5 December: HM The King's Birthday.
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10 December: Constitution Day. Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932 and this event is celebrated annually.
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31 December: New Year's Eve. Even though it is 95% Buddhist the whole Christmas period is a big festival in Thailand. It is mainly about shopping. New Year's Eve is an official holiday since Thailand uses the international calendar. |
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About The Author
Alex Smith maintains and manages the Cheap Thailand Travel website at http://www.cheapthaitravel.com - All of the materials on this site are the sole property and responsibility of Cheapthaitravel.com. This material may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission.
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Top Ten Attractions in Thailand
