The following is a list of public holidays in Thailand during 2008. (Click here for holiday dates in 2009). If you are travelling on these days or looking for accommodation it may be beneficial to book in advance. At the bottom of this official list, I’ve also included some other notable dates and festivals which, whilst celebrated by many, aren’t a public holiday (e.g. Loy Kratong).
February
Thursday, February 21st – Makha Bucha Day
April
Sunday, April 6th – Chakri Day
Monday, April 7th – Holiday in lieu of Chakri Day as official day falls on a Sunday.
Monday, April 14th – Wednesday, April 16th* – Songkran, Thai New Year Festival (Songkran starts in most places on Sunday 13th, but there are regional variations throughout the country. Festivities often begin earlier in the north, e.g. Chiang Mai, but are later in places like Pattaya and Rayong. The official public holiday however, is April 14th-16th).
*(Because April 13th falls on a Sunday, an extra day has been added in lieu. As such, Wednesday April 16th is also a holiday.)
May
Thursday, May 1st – Labour Day
Monday, May 5th – Coronation Day
Monday, May 19th – Visakha Puja Day
July
Tuesday, July 1st – Mid-Year Bank Holiday
Thursday, July 17th – Asanha Bucha Day
Friday, July 18th – Khao Phansa Day (Start of Buddhist Lent)
August
Tuesday, August 12th – Queen’s Birthday
October
Tuesday, October 14th – End of Buddhist Lent (Awk Phansa)
Thursday, October 23rd – Chulalongkorn Day (Rama V Day)
December
Friday, December 5th – King’s Birthday
Wednesday, December 10th – Constitution Day
Wednesday, December 31st – New Year’s Eve
(Thursday, January 1st, 2009 – New Year’s Day)
Other Notable Dates in 2008
Saturday, January 12th – Children’s Day
Wednesday, January 16th – Teachers’ Day
Friday, January 25th – Thai Army Day
Thursday, February 7th-Saturday 9th – Chinese New Year
Thursday, February 14th – Valentine’s Day
Friday, May 9th – Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Wednesday, November 12th – Loy Kratong
Thursday, December 25th – Christmas Day
