There are dozens of festivals and events held in Thailand throughout the year. Some of these are celebrated nationwide whilst others are specific to certain regions. Listed below are some of the best-known Thai festivals to be held during 2012. At the time of writing, some of the event dates have not yet been finalised and may be subject to change. The events listed here are not public holidays unless stated.
Public holidays in Thailand, 2012 »
January 1 (Sunday) – New Year’s Day (public holiday)
January 2 (Monday) – substitution day for New Year’s Eve (public holiday)
January 3 (Tuesday) – substitution day holiday New Year’s Day (public holiday)
January 14 – Children’s Day
January 20-22 – Bo Sang Umbrella Festival, Chiang Mai province
January 23 – Chinese Lunar New Year
January 26-29 – Hua Hin Film Festival
All January (until March 14) – Royal Flora Expo, Chiang Mai
All January (until April 30) – Hat Yai Lantern Festival
February 3-5 – Chiang Mai Flower Festival
February 10-12 – Pattaya Bike Week
February 13-15 – Trang Underwater Wedding
February 24-25 – Phuket International Blues Rock Festival
March 7 (Wednesday) – Makha Bucha Day (public holiday)
March 17-24 – Thai Martial Arts Festival and Wai Khru ceremony, Ayutthaya
March – Pattaya International Music Festival
April 6 (Friday) – Chakri Day (public holiday)
April 6-8 – Phuket Bike Week
April 8-10 – Royal Funeral in Bangkok for HRH Princess Bejaratana (April 9 has been added as a public holiday)
April 13-15 (Friday-Sunday) – Songkran Festival (public holiday)
April 16 (Monday) – substitution day for Songkran (public holiday)
April – Chonburi Festival (including Pattaya)
May 1 (Tuesday) – Labour Day (public holiday)
May 5 (Saturday) – Coronation Day (public holiday)
May 7 (Monday) – substitution day for Coronation Day (public holiday)
May 10 (Thursday) – Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Bangkok
May – Rocket Festivals, Isaan
May – Inthakin City Pillar Festival, Chiang Mai
May 28 – June 2 – Koh Samui Yacht Regatta
June 4 (Monday) – Visakha Bucha Day (public holiday)
June – Hua Hin Jazz Festival
July 18-22 – Phuket Yachting Race Week
July – Candle Festival, Ubon Ratchathani
August 2 (Thursday) – Asahna Bucha Day (public holiday)
August 12 (Sunday) – H.M. Queen’s Birthday (public holiday)
August 13 (Monday) – substitution day for H.M. Queen’s Birthday (public holiday)
August – Por Tor Hungry Ghost Festival, Phuket
September – Vegetarian Festival, various locations in Thailand including Phuket, Trang, Krabi, Bangkok and Chiang Mai
September – King’s Cup Elephant Polo, Hua Hin
October 23 (Tuesday) – Chulalongkorn Day (Rama V Day) (public holiday)
October – Buffalo racing, Chonburi
October – Naga Fireballs, Nong Khai
November 17-18 – Elephant Round-up, Surin
November 25 – Monkey Banquet, Lopburi
November 28 – Loy Krathong
December 5 (Wednesday) – H.M. King’s Birthday (public holiday)
December 10 (Monday) – Constitution Day (public holiday)
December 31 (Monday) – New Year’s Eve (public holiday). New Year Countdown events held at various locations in Thailand including Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya.
December – King’s Cup Yachting Regatta, Phuket
