Public Holidays in Thailand
National and royal holidays, alcohol-ban days and how they affect your trip.
Updated 2026-08-04
Thailand's calendar holds holidays in three groups: Buddhist observances tied to the lunar calendar, royal and national public holidays on fixed dates, and cultural festivals — above all the water-fight New Year of Songkran (13–15 April) and the floating-lantern festival of Loy Krathong (the November full moon). Most public holidays close government offices and banks and can affect transport, and a nationwide alcohol ban applies on major Buddhist holy days. Timing a trip around a festival can be memorable, but expect higher prices and bigger crowds.
The holiday calendar in Thailand
Thai holidays come in two timing types, and the difference matters for planning. Fixed-date holidays — mostly royal and national days — land on the same Gregorian date each year. Lunar-calendar holidays — chiefly the Buddhist holy days — shift from year to year with the phases of the moon, so the same festival can fall weeks apart in different years. Between the two, Thailand celebrates something almost every month, from temple observances to street festivals.
Public holidays and days off
On official public holidays, government offices and banks close, and many businesses and transport services run reduced timetables, so factor this into any admin, money-changing or long-distance travel plans. Tourist attractions, shops and restaurants generally stay open, and beaches and resorts carry on as normal — but roads, airports and popular sites get much busier around the big holidays and long weekends.
Key Thai public holidays through the year
Buddhist holidays and traditions
Buddhism shapes the heart of the Thai calendar, and several holy days (wan phra) mark key moments in the Buddha's life. The main ones are Makha Bucha (usually February or March), Visakha Bucha or Vesak (usually May), and Asalha Bucha (usually July), which is immediately followed by Khao Phansa, the start of the three-month Buddhist Lent. All fall on full-moon days set by the lunar calendar, so their Gregorian dates change every year — always check the current year's dates before relying on them.
On these days, Thais visit temples to make merit, offer food to monks and take part in candlelit processions (wian tian) at dusk, walking three times around the temple's main hall. Visitors are welcome to observe respectfully: dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, remove shoes before entering temple buildings, and keep quiet during ceremonies.
National and royal holidays
A second major strand of the calendar celebrates the monarchy and the nation, reflecting the deep respect Thais hold for the royal family. These include the birthdays of the current King (28 July) and Queen (3 June), Coronation Day (4 May), and days honouring past monarchs — Chakri Memorial Day (6 April) for the founding of the ruling dynasty, and Chulalongkorn Day (23 October) commemorating the revered King Rama V. Two royal birthdays double as family days: the late King Bhumibol's birthday on 5 December is National Father's Day, and the Queen Mother's birthday on 12 August is National Mother's Day.
On these occasions you'll see public buildings decorated, portraits of the royal family displayed and people wearing colours associated with the monarchy. It's a good moment to remember that Thailand takes respect for the monarchy very seriously — a courteous, low-key attitude is expected of everyone, visitors included.
Water festivals: Songkran and Loy Krathong
Thailand's two best-known festivals both centre on water, and either is worth planning a trip around. Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year on 13–15 April, brings nationwide water fights — locals and tourists dousing each other with water pistols and buckets to symbolise washing away the old year — alongside quieter temple rituals of pouring water over Buddha images and elders' hands. It's the biggest celebration of the year and falls in the hottest month, so the water is welcome.
Loy Krathong, on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (usually November), is the gentle counterpoint: people float small decorated rafts (krathong) bearing candles, incense and flowers onto rivers, lakes and the sea to give thanks to the water goddess and release the past year's misfortune. In the north, the parallel Yi Peng festival fills the sky with thousands of paper lanterns. On Phuket you can watch krathong being floated at beaches, lagoons and hotels across the island.
Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand (tourismthailand.org); Royal Thai Government public holiday announcements. Buddhist holy-day dates follow the lunar calendar and change each year — confirm current-year dates before travelling.