Official Holidays in Thailand - Songkhran

Thailand averages nearly one and half holidays per month probably making it a world leader in that category. Thais love holidays and long weekends, work hard and many don't get vacation time. They relish their holidays.

Official holidays include - Western New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Thai New Year is officially celebrated at "Songkhran" from April 13th to 15th. Actually, most Thais kind of stretch this out a little on either end. Many visitors enjoy the water throwing festivities associated with this holiday. Some visitors tire of getting drenched every time they venture outside. Traveling anywhere can be a problem because it is difficult to get tickets for anything and the roads are jammed with people heading to their homes for the holidays.

April 6 is Chakri Day, in honor of the Chakri Dynasty of Thailand
May 1 is National Labor Day and May 5 is Coronation Day
August 12 is Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday and National Mothers' Day
October 23 is Chulalongkorn Day in honor of the great former King
December 5 is His Majesty the King's birthday and National Fathers' Day
December 12 is Constitution Day

Lunar Holidays
These are associated with Buddhism and the exact date on the Gregorian calendar varies. Alcohol cannot be sold in bars or shops. The dates below are approximates.

End of February - Makha Bucha Day
End of May - Wisakha Bucha Day
End of July - Buddhist Lent Day

Celebrations, but not official holidays, include:

Loy Kratong, while not an official holiday is celebrated nationwide during the 12th lunar month (usually in November). All Thais make a kratong to place in a body of water. They release the kratong and make a wish or float their sins away.

There are also numerous provincial festivals. Probably the most famous one is the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket every October.

Christmas is not celebrated in Thailand, although you will see many of the trappings of Christmas in shops and departments stores. It is business as usual in all aspects of life. Thais do, however, often exchange gifts for Western New Year. Valentine's Day is not, of course, a holiday, but it has become popular of late. Halloween is starting to catch on in some quarters. No one pays much attention to Easter or Thanksgiving.

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	Thailand's Holidays Thailand averages nearly one and half holidays per month probably making it a world leader in that category. Thais love holidays and long weekends, work hard and many don't get vacation time. They relish their holidays. Official holidays include - Western New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Thai New Year is officially celebrated at "Songkhran" from April 13th to 15th. Actually, most Thais kind of stretch this out a little on either end. Many visitors enjoy the water throwing festivities associated with this holiday. Some visitors tire of getting drenched every time they venture outside. Traveling anywhere can be a problem because it is difficult to get tickets for anything and the roads are jammed with people heading to their homes for the holidays. April 6 is Chakri Day, in honor of the Chakri Dynasty of Thailand May 1 is National Labor Day and May 5 is Coronation Day August 12 is Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday and National Mothers' Day October 23 is Chulalongkorn Day in honor of the great former King December 5 is His Majesty the King's birthday and National Fathers' Day December 12 is Constitution Day Lunar Holidays These are associated with Buddhism and the exact date on the Gregorian calendar varies. Alcohol cannot be sold in bars or shops. The dates below are approximates. End of February - Makha Bucha Day End of May - Wisakha Bucha Day End of July - Buddhist Lent Day Celebrations, but not official holidays, include: Loy Kratong, while not an official holiday is celebrated nationwide during the 12th lunar month (usually in November). All Thais make a kratong to place in a body of water. They release the kratong and make a wish or float their sins away. There are also numerous provincial festivals. Probably the most famous one is the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket every October. Christmas is not celebrated in Thailand, although you will see many of the trappings of Christmas in shops and departments stores. It is business as usual in all aspects of life. Thais do, however, often exchange gifts for Western New Year. Valentine's Day is not, of course, a holiday, but it has become popular of late. Halloween is starting to catch on in some quarters. No one pays much attention to Easter or Thanksgiving.	Featured Accommodations Koh Chang Kacha Resort and Spa Had Sai Khao, Koh Chang: white sand beach ideal for sunbathing, swimming, playing, or just lazing around. Eastern Thai style Rooms/Villas. Restaurant: Thai, European, Fresh seafood, Vegetarian Food. Meeting room. Island activities include swimming, jungle trekking, elephant trekking, monkey show, waterfall trip, snorkeling, scuba diving, biking, fishing, and volleyball and football on the beach. Siam Residence Hotel Enjoy the quiet and peaceful Santi Beach, only 2km from Samui?s capitol, with 20 fully detached villas offering air con, separate living room and bedroom, marble bathroom with Jacuzzi/whirlpool, and shower. Sat-TV and Video, minibar, IDD telephone, hair dryer and private safe come standard. Open air restaurant directly on the beach. Snorkeling, diving, wind surfing, and tennis available.
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Holidays in Thailand

Thailand's Holidays