About Festivals and Holidays in Thailand

  New Year's Day (January 1)

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

  Chinese New Year (late February - early March) - A week of celebration with fireworks can been seen in the Chinese neighborhoods.

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

  Songkran Festival (April 13 - 15) - Thai New Year. Be prepared to get wet, as water is splashed on everyone as a sign of "good luck" for the new year.

  Labor Day (May 1)

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

  Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day - This marks the beginning of the rice growing season.

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

  Asalha Puja Day (full moon on the eighth lunar month) - A public holiday that commemorates the Lord Buddha's first sermon.

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

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

  Vegetarian Festival (Early October) - A southern holiday celebrating vegetarian food and self-mortification.

  Ok Phansa (October) - The End of the Buddhist Rain Retreat.

  Chulalongkorn Day (October 23) - A public holiday to commemorate King Rama V.

  H. M. The King's Birthday / Father's Day (December 5) - A public holiday celebrating the birth of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

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

  New Year's Eve (December 31) - The celebration of the coming new year.