Thailand Public Holidays 2009

5 December 2008

(Friday) King's Birthday

His Majesty the King's birthday is celebrated throughout the country and also serves as the nation's Fathers Day.

National Holiday

10 December 2008

(Wednesday) Constitution Day

December 10th celebrates the date in 1932 when the country was granted its first constitution.

National Holiday

31 December 2008

(Wednesday) New Years Eve

The day before the western new year day is always a national holiday.

National Holiday

1 January 2009

(Thursday) New Year's Day

The beginning of the western new year is a national holiday in Thaland, one of three "new year" holidays celebrated every year.

National Holiday

26 January 2009

(Monday) Chinese New Year

The beginning of the Chinese lunar year is celebrated in the Chinatowns of every city throughout Thailand. Some businesses close for the day, but it is not a national holiday.

9 February 2009

(Monday) Makha Bucha

Makha Bucha celebrates the Buddha's first sermon in to his disciples.

National Holiday

6 April 2009

(Monday) Chakri Day

Chakri Day commeorates the founding of the current dynasty, Rama I.

National Holiday

13 April 2009

(Monday) Songkran

Songkran is the traditional Thai new year, generally celebrated as a water festival.

National Holiday

14 April 2009

(Tuesday) Songkran

Second day of this three-day holiday.

National Holiday

15 April 2009

(Wednesday) Songkran

Third of the three days of Songkran.

National Holiday

1 May 2009

(Friday) Labor Day

International labor day is celebrated as a national holiday, even though there isn't much ado about it

National Holiday

5 May 2009

(Tuesday) Coronation Day

Celebrates the day in 1949 when the current king was crowned.

National Holiday

8 May 2009

(Friday) Visakha Bucha

The holiest Buddhist holiday celebrates the birth, enlightenment and entry into nirvana of the Buddha.

National Holiday

7 July 2009

(Tuesday) Buddhist Lent

This day marks the beginning of the Buddhist 'lent' period, a time when monks are supposed to retreat to their temples while new life springs forth.

National Holiday

12 August 2009

(Wednesday) Queen's Birthday

Her Majesty the Queen's birthday is a national holiday, also serving as the country's Mothers Day as well.

National Holiday

23 October 2009

(Friday) Chulalongkorn Day

Celebrates the birthday of one of Thailand's most revered kings.

National Holiday

2 November 2009

(Monday) Loy Kratong

Not a national holiday, but an evening when Thais pay respect to the goddess of the waters by floating candlelit offerings on any and all waterways around the kingdom.