Chakri Memorial Day

This public holiday commemorates the Chakri dynasty. The current King is the ninth King of the Chakri dynasty. A Royal ceremony is performed by the King to pay respect to King Rama I the Great, the founder of the Chakri Dynasty.

Songkran Festival

The "SONGKRAN" festival happens during the hot season in mid April. This festival happens in all Buddhist "THEREVADA" countries, i.e. Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Burma (Myanmar). Songkran is the ancient New Year's Day. Now the official New Year's Day happens on the 1 st January. But the most popular feast in Thailand is still "SONGKRAN" .

National Labor Day
(As 01 st May is a Sunday, Monday 02nd is given as a substitution public holiday.)

The first day of May is a public holiday commemorating the workers.

Coronation Day

This public holiday is a day to commemorate the coronation of current King Rama IX .

Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day

The Royal ploughing is done every year by Brahminic priests. This event happens in the front of the Royal temple "WAT PHRA KAEW" ( วันพระแก้ว ) on the big field called "SANAM LUANG" ( สนามหลวง ).

This ceremony symbolizes the beginning of the sowing period. Brahminic priests bless seeds and make symbolic furrows using a plough pulled by buffalos. Once the ceremony is over, onlookers run to the furrows in order to get the blessed seeds. Those seeds are supposed to bring good harvests.

This is a public holiday.

Visakha Bucha Day

This day is a Buddhist public holiday. This day commemorates the birth, the enlightenment and the death (entry into the nirvana) of Buddha. Temples throughout the country are crowded with people listening to sermons about Dharma (Buddha's teaching). In the evening there is a candlelit procession around the main building of the temple ( โบสถ์ ) containing the Buddha statues.

Bank Day

This day is not a public holiday but banks are closed to observe the Mid Year Closing Day.

Asarnha Bucha Day

This day is a Buddhist public holiday. It happens one day just before the Buddhist Lent day. This day commemorates the first sermon of Buddha to his five first disciples. One of them asked to become a monk. So this day is sacred because it deals with Buddha, Dharma and Sangha (Buddhist community). There are also candlelit processions.

Buddhist Lent Day

This day is a Buddhist public holiday. It is the beginning of the Buddhist rain retreat which lasts three months. During this period monks are not allowed to sleep outside their temple. Thai people buy big candles and offer them to temples.

Her Majesty The Queen's Birthday

This public holiday is Thailand Mother's Day. This day is the birthday of the current Thai Queen. On this day all the buildings of Thailand are covered up with images of H.M. The Queen.

Thetsakan Sat Chin

This day is celebrated by the Chinese community. The Hungry Ghost Festival is a major Buddhist and Taoist event. Hungry ghosts are the restless spirits of people who did not have a funeral. There is no one visiting their graves and they do not receive the gifts that Chinese people would take to their ancestors to pay respects. They miss out on food and spirit money.

Robes Offering Ceremony

Chulalongkorn Day

This is a public holiday day to commemorate the Rama V or Chulalongkorn 's wise reign over Thailand. Thanks to him, Thailand did not become a French or English colony even if Thailand lost his leadership over Laos, Cambodia and the northern provinces of Malaysia. During his reign, Thailand became a modern country.

End of Buddhist Lent Day

This day is a religious event. The three months rain retreat is over for monks. Monks are allowed to go out of temples. Robes offering ceremonies ( "THOT KATHIN" - ทอดกฐิน ) happen everywhere in Thailand. Thai people choose poor remote Buddhist temples and bring there clothes, food for the monks. The "THOT KATHIN" ceremonies last one month.

Loi Krathong Day

Loi Krathong is a religious event which happens every year on the full moon of the 12 th lunar month (first full moon day of November). All Thai people buy or make a "KRATHONG" . It is made of Styrofoam surrounded by banana leaves, with flowers and a candle in the middle. During the evening Thai people go to places where there is a river, a pound to launch their "KRATHONG" .

Trooping of the Colors

During this day, Thai Royal guards parade in front of the members of the royal family and pledge allegiance to H.M. the King. They are dressed in colorful uniforms, reminding the time when coloured flags served as rallying points during the battle.

His Majesty The King's Birthday

This public holiday is Thailand Father's day. This day is the birthday of the current Thai King, Rama IX . All the buildings of Thailand are covered up with symbols of the monarchy and the King.

Constitution Day
(A s 10 th December is a Saturday, Monday 12th is given as a substitution public holiday.)

Since 1932 Thailand is a democracy. Before 1932, Thailand was called Siam and was under the total rule of the King. Now Thailand is a democracy. The king has still some power, but just a moral power over Thai people, who worship him for all its kindness and goodness. Thailand is similar to English system, i.e. a King with no real power, a government and no president. This public holiday is the day to commemorate the Thai constitution.

Christmas Day

New Year's Eve

This public holiday is the last day of the year. The New Year holiday and "SONGKRAN" period have always high accident tolls. During New Year holiday 2002 , 501 people were killed in traffic accidents. Many were found to have been caused by reckless and drunk motorcyclists.