Thailand observes a rich calendar of public holidays that reflect the nation’s Buddhist heritage, royal traditions, and cultural celebrations. The country officially recognizes approximately 17-20 public holidays each year, with most government offices, banks, and many businesses closing on these dates. When a holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute day is typically observed on the following Monday.
An important consideration for visitors is that Thailand has designated “National No Alcohol Days” on Buddhist holidays—days when the sale of alcohol is prohibited nationwide, except in duty-free shops at international airports. Some recent changes have expanded exceptions to include certain hotels and nightlife venues in tourist areas, but the ban still applies to most restaurants, convenience stores, and supermarkets.
Note that the ban on alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm has been lifted.
| Holiday | Date | Alcohol Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 (Thursday) | No |
| New Year’s Day Holiday – Added by Cabinet to create a 5-day break. | January 2 (Friday) | No |
| Advanced voting – not a holiday, alcohol ban | January 31 (Saturday) | Yes – from 6pm to 6pm February 1 |
| Election day – not a holiday, alcohol ban | February 7 (Saturday) | Yes – from 6pm to 6pm February 8 |
| Chinese New Year | February 17 (Tuesday) | No (regional holiday only) |
| Makha Bucha Day | March 3 (Tuesday) | Yes – 24-hour ban |
| Chakri Day | April 6 (Monday) | No |
| Songkran Festival | April 13–15 (Mon–Wed) | No |
| Labour Day | May 1 (Friday) | No |
| Coronation Day | May 4 (Monday) | No |
| Royal Ploughing Ceremony | May 11 (Monday) | No (government holiday) |
| Visakha Bucha Day | May 31 (Sunday) | Yes – 24-hour ban |
| Visakha Bucha (substitute) | June 1 (Monday) | No |
| H.M. Queen Suthida’s Birthday | June 3 (Wednesday) | No |
| H.M. King’s Birthday | July 28 (Tuesday) | No |
| Asahna Bucha Day | July 29 (Wednesday) | Yes – 24-hour ban |
| Buddhist Lent (Khao Phansa) | July 30 (Thursday) | Yes – 24-hour ban |
| H.M. Queen Mother’s Birthday | August 12 (Wednesday) | No |
| Prince Mahidol Day | September 24 (Thursday) | No |
| Passing of King Bhumibol | October 13 (Tuesday) | No |
| Chulalongkorn Day | October 23 (Friday) | No |
| End of Buddhist Lent (Ok Phansa) | October 26 (Monday) | Yes – 24-hour ban |
| King Bhumibol’s Birthday | December 7 (Monday) | No |
| Constitution Day | December 10 (Thursday) | No |
| New Year’s Eve | December 31 (Thursday) | No |
Holiday Descriptions
New Year’s Day (January 1–2) – Thailand welcomes the new year with fireworks, celebrations, and family gatherings. Major cities like Bangkok host large countdown events. For 2026, January 2 has been added as a special holiday to create a five-day weekend.
Chinese New Year (February 17) – While not a national holiday, this is a regional holiday in southern provinces (Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, and Satun) with significant Chinese populations. Chinatowns across Thailand feature parades and festivities marking the Year of the Horse.
Makha Bucha Day (March 3) – One of Thailand’s most important Buddhist holidays, it commemorates the occasion when 1,250 disciples gathered spontaneously to hear the Buddha preach. Locals visit temples to make merit, listen to sermons, and participate in evening candlelit processions called Wian Thian.
Chakri Day (April 6) – This day honors the founding of the Chakri Dynasty in 1782 and commemorates King Rama I, who established Bangkok as Thailand’s capital. It is a day to pay respects to the royal family.
Songkran Festival (April 13–15) – Songkran marks the Thai New Year and blends tradition, family gatherings, and nationwide celebrations. This is Thailand’s most famous festival, marked by water fights, family gatherings, and temple visits. Many Thais return to their hometowns for water blessing ceremonies that symbolize cleansing and renewal.
Labour Day (May 1) – International Workers’ Day, observed as a holiday for the private sector and banks.
Coronation Day (May 4) – Commemorates the coronation of King Rama X (King Vajiralongkorn) in 2019.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony (May 11) – An ancient Brahmin ritual held at Sanam Luang in Bangkok, signaling the official start of the rice-planting season. Royal oxen are used to predict the year’s harvest.
Visakha Bucha Day (May 31) – The holiest day in the Buddhist calendar, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha, all of which occurred on the same day in different years. Temples are busy with ceremonies, and in the evening, you can see candlelit processions with monks.
H.M. Queen Suthida’s Birthday (June 3) – Celebrates the birthday of Queen Suthida, consort of King Rama X.
H.M. King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday (July 28) – A national holiday honoring the current king’s birthday, marked with royal ceremonies and decorations throughout the country.
Asahna Bucha Day (July 29) – Marks the Buddha’s first sermon to his five disciples at Deer Park, establishing the Buddhist Sangha (community of monks) and completing the Three Jewels of Buddhism.
Buddhist Lent / Khao Phansa (July 30) – The start of the three-month monks’ retreat during the rainy season. Monks remain in their temples for intensive meditation and study. This creates back-to-back alcohol ban days with Asahna Bucha.
H.M. Queen Mother’s Birthday / Mother’s Day (August 12) – Honors Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. This day also serves as Thailand’s national Mother’s Day, when Thais wear light blue (the Queen Mother’s color) and present jasmine flowers to their mothers.
Prince Mahidol Day (September 24) – Commemorates Prince Mahidol of Songkla, the father of the late King Bhumibol, known as the “Father of Modern Medicine and Public Health in Thailand.”
Passing of King Bhumibol (October 13) – A solemn day of remembrance for King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), who passed away on October 13, 2016, after reigning for 70 years.
Chulalongkorn Day (October 23) – Honors King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), who modernized Thailand in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, abolishing slavery and implementing major reforms.
End of Buddhist Lent / Ok Phansa (October 26) – Marks the conclusion of the three-month monks’ retreat. Alcohol sales are typically restricted on this day, though enforcement can vary by location.
King Bhumibol’s Birthday / Father’s Day (December 5/7) – Celebrates the birthday of the late King Bhumibol and serves as Thailand’s national Father’s Day. Since December 5 falls on a Saturday in 2026, the public holiday is observed on Monday, December 7.
Constitution Day (December 10) – Commemorates the adoption of Thailand’s first permanent constitution in 1932, which transitioned the country to a constitutional monarchy.
New Year’s Eve (December 31) – A national holiday featuring countdown events, fireworks, and celebrations, especially in Bangkok and major tourist areas.