Holidays & Festivals

Thailand has a large number of festivals and holidays. Exact dates for festivals may vary from year to year, either because of the lunay calendar, which is not synchronised with the solar calendar, or because local authorities decide to change festival dates. The Tourism Authority of Thailand publishes an up-to-date Major Events and Festivals Calendar each year. The following are just a few of the major holidays and festivals in Thailand:

New Year's Day (1 January)

Magha Puja Day (full moon, third lunar month) - A public holiday commemorating the gathering of the Lord Buddha's disciples that culminates with a candlelit walk around the main chapel of every temple across the country.

Chinese New Year (late January to early February) - A week of festivities and firework displays in the Chinese neighborhoods throughout Thailand.

Chakri Day (6 April) - A public holiday commemorating the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, King Rama I.

Songkran Festival (13-15 April) - Thai New Year. Water is splashed on everyone in a "gesture of good luck" for the New Year. Be prepared to get wet.

Labour Day (1 May)

Coronation Day (5 May) - A public holiday celebrating the coronation of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX)

Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day - Held in May when the rice-growing season begins.

Visakha Puja Day (full moon, sixth lunar moon) - A public holiday commemorating the birth, death and enlightenment of the Lord Buddha.

Asalha Puja Day (full moon, eight lunar month) - A public holiday marking the Lord Buddha's first sermon.

Khao Phansa (July) - A public holiday celebrating the beginning of Buddhist Lent.

H.M. the Queen's birthday or Mother's Day (12 August) - A public holiday celebrating the birth of Queen Sirikit of Thailand.

Ok Phansa (October) - End of Buddhist Lent.

Chulalongkorn Day (23 October) - A public holiday to commemorate the death of Kinh Chulalongkorn (King Rama V)

Loi Krathong Festival (full moon twelth lunar month) - This most charming of all Thai celebrations which usually falls in November.

H.M. the King's Birthday (5 December) - A public holiday the cerebrate H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday.

Constitution Day (10 December) - A public holiday to celebrate Thailand's democratic constitution.

New Year's Eve (31 December) - Celebrations across the country to ring in the new year.

Other Festivals:

1. Buffalo Raciong Festival

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