There are at least fifteen public holidays in Thailand and most Thai workers will receive additional vacation time on top of this. The Thai calendar also includes many holidays and festivals which are not official holidays.
- Below is the complete calendar of Thai Holidays and Festivals for 2013
The majority of shops and entertainment venues may be open on public holidays but government buildings and offices tend to be closed. Department stores and tourist attractions can be particularly busy on public holidays so it is best for those averse to crowds to keep away.
During these times there is no access to non-emergency government services. Simple banking should not be a problem. Branches in shopping malls normally stay open, and all ATMs operate as usual. Foreign exchange booths normally also stay open. However, remember if planning to renew a visa, or send something from a post office, or use the main branch of a bank, not to go on these days.
Dates of Thai Holidays and Festivals
Many of the important Thai holidays will occur on the same date each year. The problem for foreigners is that some dates will follow the Gregorian calendar and some will follow the Thai lunar calendar. Most of the main Buddhist holidays will occur around the full moon of a particular lunar month. There are also some other festivals and holidays that are determined by astrologers or spirit doctors. To top it off, there are a few events which are determined by other calendars including the Chinese lunar calendar, which can diverge from the Thai lunar calendar.
Family Holidays in Thailand
Some holidays in Thailand, particularly the Buddhist religious holidays, are times when people return to their families and villages, making travel on these days difficult, though many shops and most restaurants stay open. The price of hotels will also usually increase on these days, and transportation on the days leading up to certain events can be sold out.
Changing Dates on the Thai Calendar
Some public holidays are celebrated on the same date every year, for example most of the holidays that celebrate the monarchy or the constitution. If these holidays fall on a weekend, the actual holiday is usually shifted to the following Monday. The religious holidays, on the other hand, are calculated according to the Thai lunar calendar. One holiday, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, is fixed in consultation with royal astrologers. It may be only a few months before the event when the exact date is determined. Occasionally, the government can grant extra holidays due to unforeseen circumstances. These can be determined with little advance notice.
Regional and Special Holidays in Thailand
Apart from the main public holidays, in Thailand there are religious holidays that are only observed by certain minority groups, such as Chinese New Year, Eid Al-Fitr and Christmas. Businesses owned my members of these religious groups can close on these days. There are also local celebrations that are only observed in certain Thai cities, such as Inthakin in Chiang Mai, the Vegetarian festival in Phuket and the Naga Fireball festival in Nong Khai.
School Calendar in Thailand
The school year in Thailand usually begins on the Monday nearest May 16, following a six week break. The year consists of two semesters or terms, broken by a short two week holiday in October. Individual principals have a certain amount of discretion over holiday dates. The above information refers to government nursery schools and kindergartens (anuban), primary schools (phratom) and secondary or high schools (mathayom). Colleges and universities may follow different schedules. It is always best to consult the individual institution.
The Thai Buddhist Calendar
The Thai people use the Thai lunar calendar to calculate religious holidays. For other purposes the Western Gregorian calendar is used. The only difference is that the number of each year is calculated from the death of the Buddha in 543 BC, so that 2012 is 2555. This is the system used by the government and in legal documents and is known as the Thai Solar Calendar.
Thailand Public Holidays 2012 (2555 Buddhist Calendar)
These are the main Thai public holidays for 2013 (2556 Buddhist Calendar). On all of these days, (except for Loy Krathong), one generally finds government offices, post offices, schools, and some banks closed. As mentioned, some of these holiday dates are provisional and may be changed nearer the time to be held.
Many Thai holidays are colorful celebrations that provide good opportunities to the traveler for picture taking as well as participating in the festivities. Enjoy.
January 2013 Thai Holidays
New Year’s Day 2013
Tuesday, January 1, 2013 is the first day of the new year according to the Gregorian calendar. Thailand has its traditional festival for their new year in April, but January 1 has also become a time to celebrate. Most people will enjoy this as a long weekend because New Year’s Eve (also a holiday) is on the Monday preceding.
Bor Sang Umbrella Festival
Mid-January, 2013 the Bor Sang Umbrella Festival is due to occur some point in mid-January 2013. This event takes place on Bor Sang Rd which is about 6km East of Chiang Mai.
February 2013 Thai Holidays
Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013 to Sunday, February 3, 2013 are the expected dates for this year’s Chiang Mai Flower Festival. Visitors to the event get to enjoy parades, Miss Chiang Mai Flower competition, exhibitions, and of course plenty of flowers.
Chinese New Year 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013 is the Chinese New Year, and this is celebrated in many parts of Thailand where there are Chinese communities. This festival always takes place on the first day of the first lunar month so it changes every year according to the Western Calendar.
March 2013 Thai Holidays
Phi Ta Khon – Ghost Festival
The Ghost Festival is a three day festival that takes place in Dan Sai in Loei province. The exact date of this festival is decided by spirit doctors, and it takes place in the sixth or seventh lunar month, that is at some time between March and July. The exact date for 2013 will be announced nearer the time. In 2012 this was held June 22-24.
Makha Bucha Day
Monday, March 11, 2013 is an important Buddhist holiday called Makha Bucha. It commemorates a sermon the Buddha gave to his most advanced students. This event is said to have happened when all of these followers just happened to end up in the same location as the same time. It is celebrated each year on the first full moon of the third lunar month.
April 2013 Thai Holidays
Chakri Day
Saturday, April 6, 2013 is Chakri Day. This is a public holiday that celebrates the current Royal dynasty.
Songkran – Water Festival (Thai New Year) 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013 to Wednesday, April 17, 2013 is arguably the best time of year to be in Thailand as this is the time of the Songkran festival. This is a time for water fights, parties, and spending time with family. Chiang Mai is a well-known venue for travelers to experience this, though the celebration is country-wide (actually throughout much of the Mekong region).
Dok Khoon Siang Khaen Flower Festival
The Dok Khoon Siang Khaen Flower Festival in Khon Kaen usually takes place around the same time as Songkran.
May 2013 Thai Holidays
Labor Day
Wednesday, May 1, 2013 is Labor Day. This is a public holiday in Thailand, but not much happens to commemorate this day other than most government and office workers will have the day off.
Coronation Day
Sunday, May 5, 2013 is Coronation Day. The fact that it occurs on a Sunday this year should mean that Monday, May 6, 2013 will be a substitution holiday.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
The actual date of the Royal Ploughing Ceremony is decided by astrologers near to the time, but it usually occurs at some point in May. This holiday is also a commemoration of Farmer’s Day.
Rocket Festival – Isaan
Friday-Sunday, May 10-12, 2013 is the Rocket Festival which takes place over the second weekend in May. This festival is celebrated in a number of locations in Isaan but one of the best places to visit would be Yasathon.
Inthakin City Pillar Festival
The Inthakin City Pillar Festival takes place over the course of 6 days in Chiang Mai each year. The date for the 2013 has yet to be given. It usually occurs at some point around the waning of moon of the sixth lunar month (around May 2013).
Visaka Bucha วันวิสาขบูชา
Friday, May 24, 2013 is the most important of all the Buddhist festivals in Thailand. Vikasa Bucha Day takes place on the full moon of the sixth lunar month, and it commemorates the day on which the Buddha was born, became enlightened, and died.
June 2013 Thai Holidays
Pu Sae Ya Sae Festival
Sunday, June 23, 2013 (expected date) is Pu Sae Ya Sae Festival in Chiang Mai which involves a ritual sacrifice and the consumption of raw buffalo flesh. This is not a good event for the squeamish or animal lovers.
July 2013 Thai Holidays
Asana Bucha วันอาสาฬหบูชา
Tuesday, July 30, 2013 is Asana Bucha, and this commemorates the day on which the Buddha gave his first sermon. This is held on the full moon of the 8th Thai lunar month.
Wan Khao Pansa วันเข้าพรรษา
Wednesday, July 31, 2013 the beginning of Buddhist lent. Wan Khao Pansa takes place at the first day of the waning moon of the eight Thai lunar month.
August 2013 Thai Holidays
H.M. The Queen’s Birthday
Monday, August 12, 2013 is the Queen’s birthday, and it is also Mother’s Day in Thailand. Most Thai people celebrate the occasion by spending time with their families.
Hungry Ghost Festival
Tuesday, August 21, 2013 is the Hungry Ghost Festival, which takes place on the full moon (fifteen day) of the seventh lunar month of the Chinese lunar calendar (usually in August). This festival is celebrated in the towns and cities of Phuket, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Chiang Rai, and most places with a Chinese community. In Phuket this is called Por Tor and is a unique celebration.
September 2013 Thai Holidays
Mid Autumn (Moon) Festival
Thursday, September 20, 2013 is the Mid Autumn Festival takes place on the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. The Mid-Autumn Festival is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, which is in September or early October in the Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated with Chinese communities across Thailand. Shops will sell special moon cakes to mark the occasion.
Prince Mahidol Day
Tuesday, September 24, 2013 commemorates the father of modern Thai medicine Prince Mahidol. It is not an official public holiday.
October 2013 Thai Holidays
Vegetarian Festival 2013
__ October 5-11, 2013__ the Thailand Vegetarian Festival 2013 takes place for nine days. (Some Thai people will hold the precepts for a total of 10 days.) This festival officially starts on October 5th, but some events begin a day or two before, and can continue a day after, depending on the temples and organizing committee involved. The date is calculated as the 15th day of the waning of the 10th month of the Thai lunar calendar.
The most extreme form of the vegetarian festival is in Phuket where it takes on a macabre aspect and has its own history and traditions. In general, throughout Thailand this is a spiritual festival with abstinence and purity as the central motif. While vegetarian food is widely available throughout Thailand, special menus and dishes are prepared and available for the nine-day festival in many restaurants throughout Thailand. Vegetarianism includes avoidance of certain vegetables such as garlic and onion which are seen to increase agitation. The festival has its roots in Chinese Taoist practices but has become Thai-ified and welcomed by the Thai Buddhist population who (to some degree) also embrace vegetarianism.
Wan Awk Pansa
Saturday, October 18, 2013 is Wan Awk Pansa also called which signals the end of Buddhist rains retreat. This falls on the full moon of the eleventh Thai lunar month.
Sunday, October 19, 2013 is Thod Kathin or Kathina which is held on the first day after the full moon of the eleventh Thai lunar month. This is celebrated by colorful processions and temple activities especially in parts of Northeastern Thailand and Laos. The presentation of Monks’ robes after the rains retreat is the central Buddhist activity.
Naga Fireball Festival
Friday-Saturday, October 18-19, 2013 the Naga Fireball Festival takes place in Nong Khai around the full money of the eleventh lunar month (October). This demonstration of what many believe is evidence for the paranormal goes on for two nights. The dates coincide with the day before and the day of the Buddhist holiday of Wan Awk Pansa, the end of the rains retreat.
Chulalongkorn Day
Wednesday, October 23, 2013 is Chulalongkorn Day, and this commemorates one of the most revered of past Thai rulers. King Chulalongkorn is credited with keeping Thailand free while most of the surrounding counties fell under the power of foreign control.
November 2013 Thai Holidays
Loy Krathong / Yee Peng 2013
Monday, November 18, 2013 is one of the most beautiful of all Thai festivals. Loy Krathong is not a public holiday, but it is a time for communities to come together in the evening to launch small candle lit craft (Krathong) in lakes and rivers and floating lanterns illuminate the sky at night. In Chiang Mai events usually begin two days before and extend one day after the holiday (Saturday, November 16 through Tuesday, November 18). It is not an official Thai government holiday but, especially in Northern Thailand, it is a major holiday. This is on the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the 12th lunar month of the Thai calendar (the second lunar month of the Northern Thai calendar, Yee Peng means second month in Kam Muang (the Northern Thai language).
Lopburi Sunflower Festival
The Lopburi Sunflower Festival can be found in Lopburi, Central Thailand and nearby Saraburi. This festival doesn’t have exact dates, and begins when the weather and the sunflowers announce the beginning. The sunflower fields are an attraction for many Thai visitors as well as foreign tourists beginning in November and can last until January or even February.
December 2013 Thai Holidays
H.M. The King’s Birthday
Thursday, December 5, 2013 is the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumipol. It is also Father’s Day in Thailand.
Constitution Day
Tuesday, December 10, 2013 marks the day in 1932 when Thailand become a constitutional monarchy.
Christmas Day
Wednesday, December 25, 2013 is not a public holiday in Thailand, but it is celebrated as in most of the world as a secular holiday with festive decorations in the shopping malls. Many of the restaurants and pubs in tourist areas will have traditional holiday food and events to mark the occasion.
New Year’s Eve
Tuesday, December 31,2013 is a public holiday in Thailand to mark the new year. As new year’s day is also a holiday, this is a two-day event. It is possible that Monday, December 30th will be considered a holiday as well (officially or unofficially) as it is a single day straddling two sets of two days off. This could easily turn into a five day weekend.
