01 : New Year's Day / วันขื้นปีใหม่
13 : Thai children Day / วันเด็กแห่งชาติ
16 : Teachers Day / วันครู
This day is an occasion for pupils to make merit for their teachers (ไหว้ครู). Teachers are highly worshipped in Thailand for their knowledge. Pupils do not dare to embarrass their teachers by asking questions.
18 : Thai Army Day / วันกองทัพไทย
During this day, Thai King visits the army and watches a military parade.
FEBRUARY
10 : Chinese New Year's Day / วันตรุษจีน
14 : Valentine's Day / วันวาเลนไทน์
24 : Makabucha day / วันมาฆาบูชา
As 24th February is a Saturday, Monday 26th February is given as a substitution public holiday.
MARCH
No public holidays in March this year.
APRIL
06 : Chakri day / วันที่ระลึกมหาจักรีบรมราชวงศ์
As 06th April is a Saturday, Monday 08th April is given as a substitution public holiday.
13-14-15 : Songkran / วันสงกรานต์
As 13rd April is a Saturday, Monday 16th April is given as a substitution public holiday.
MAY
01 : National Labour day / วันแรงงานแห่งชาติ
The first day of May is a public holiday commemorating the workers.
04 : Coronation day / วันฉัตรมงคล
As 04th May is a Saturday, Monday 06th May is given as a substitution public holiday.
10 : Royal Ploughing / วันพืชมงคล
The Royal ploughing is done every year by Brahminic priests. This event happens in the front of the Royal temple "WAT PHRA KAEW" (วัดพระแก้ว) on the big field called "SANAM LUANG" (สนามหลวง).
This ceremony symbolises the beginning of the sowing period. Brahminic priests bless seeds and make symbolic furrows using a plough pulled by buffalos. Once the ceremony is over, onlookers run to the furrows in order to get the blessed seeds. Those seeds are supposed to bring good harvests.
22 : Visakabucha day / วันวิสาขบูชา
This day is a Buddhist public holiday. This day commemorates the birth, the enlightment and the death (entry into the nirvana) of Buddha. Temples throughout the country are crowded with people listening to sermons about Dharma (Buddha's teaching). In the evening there is a candlelit procession around the main building of the temple (โบสถ์) containing the Buddha statues.
JUNE
03 : H.M. Queen Suthida's Birthday / วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสุทิดา พัชรสุธาพิมลลักษณ พระบรมราชินี
This is a public holiday to commemorate the current Thai Queen birthday.
JULY
01 : Bank day / วันยุดธนาคาร
This day is not a public holiday but banks are closed to observe the Mid Year Closing Day.
20 : Asalabucha day / วันอาสาฬหบูชา
This day is a Buddhist public holiday. It happens one day just before the Buddhist Lent day. This day commemorates the first sermon of Buddha to his five first disciples. One of them asked to become a monk. So this day is sacred because it deals with Buddha, Dharma and Sangha (Buddhist community). There are also candlelit processions.
21 : Buddhist Lent day / วันเข้าพรรษา
As 20th July is a Saturday, Monday 22nd July is given as a substitution public holiday.
28 : H.M. The King Birthday / วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา สมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัวมหาวชิราลงกรณ บดินทรเทพยวรางกูร
As 28th July is a Sunday, Monday 29th July is given as a substitution public holiday.
AUGUST
12 : Mother's day / วันแม่แห่งชาติ
18 : Thetsakan Sat Chin / เทศกาลสารทจีน
This day is celebrated by the Chinese community. The Hungry Ghost Festival is a major Buddhist and Taoist event. Hungry ghosts are the restless spirits of people who did not have a funeral. There is no one visiting their graves and they do not receive the gifts that Chinese people would take to their ancestors to pay respects. They miss out on food and spirit money.
SEPTEMBER
17 : Moon festival / วันไหว้พระจันทร์
24 : Mahidol Day / วันมหิดล
OCTOBER
02 : Thetsakan Sat Thai / เทศกาลสารทไทย
03 : Vegetarian festival / เทศกาลกินเจ
The vegetarian festival lasts until the 11st October included, so a total of nine days.
13 : Passing of H.M. King Rama IX / วันคล้ายวันสวรรคตพระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดช มหิตลาธิเบศรรามาธิบดี จักรีนฤบดินทร สยามินท
This is a public holiday to commemorate the H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, i.e. H.M. King Rama IX.
As 13rd October is a Sunday, Monday 14th October is given as a substitution public holiday.
17 : End of Buddhist Lent day / วันออกพรรษา or วันปวารณา
This day is a religious event. The three months rain retreat is over for monks. Monks are allowed to go out of temples. Robes offering ceremonies ("THOT KATHIN" - ทอดกฐิน) happen everywhere in Thailand. Thai people choose poor remote Buddhist temples and bring there clothes, food for the monks. "THOT KATHIN" ceremonies last one month.
23 : Chulalongkorn day / วันปิยมหาราช
NOVEMBER
15 : Loi Krathong day / วันลอยกระทง
DECEMBER
05 : Father's day / วันพ่อแห่งชาติ
This public holiday commemorates King Bhumibol's birthday (also known as King Rama IX).
10 : Constitution Day / วันพระราชทานรัฐธรรมบูญ
Since 1932 Thailand is a democracy. Before 1932, Thailand was called Siam and was under the total rule of the King. Now Thailand is a democracy. The king has still some power, but just a moral power over Thai people, who worship him for all its kindness and goodness. Thailand is similar to English system, i.e. a King with no real power, a government and no president. This public holiday is the day to commemorate the Thai constitution.