kids encyclopedia robot

Public holidays in Thailand facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

In Thailand, special days off called public holidays are decided by the government. Most people, whether they work for the government or for private companies, get to celebrate these days.

Thailand's Public Holidays

These are the main holidays that most people in Thailand get off from work or school.

New Year's Day

  • Date: 1 January
  • What it is: This day celebrates the start of a new year, both in the Thai solar calendar and the worldwide Gregorian calendar. For many years (1889–1941), Thailand used to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1st!

Magha Puja

  • Date: Full moon in February (3rd Thai lunar month)
  • What it is: This is an important Buddhist holiday. It remembers a special teaching given by the Buddha called Ovada Patimokkha.

Chakri Memorial Day

  • Date: 6 April
  • What it is: This day honors the start of the Chakri Dynasty (the royal family of Thailand) and the founding of Bangkok in 1782 by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke.

Songkran Festival (Thai New Year)

  • Date: 13 April – 15 April
  • What it is: This is the traditional Thai New Year and one of the biggest holidays of the year! Many people travel home to be with their families.
    • The first day is called Wan Maha Songkran.
    • The second day is Wan Nao.
    • The third day is Wan Thaloeng Sok.
    • April 14th is also celebrated as Family Day.

Coronation Day

Royal Ploughing Ceremony and Farmer's Day

  • Date: An arbitrary date in May, decided by astrology
  • What it is: This is a special ceremony to bless farmers and the country's crops. It's also known as Farmer's Day. The exact date changes each year and is announced by the Bureau of the Royal House Hold.

Vesak

  • Date: Full moon in May (6th Thai lunar month)
  • What it is: Another important Buddhist holiday. It celebrates three big events in the Buddha's life: his birth, when he became enlightened, and his passing away. It's also National Tree Day.

Asalha Puja

  • Date: Full moon in July (8th Thai lunar month)
  • What it is: This Buddhist holiday remembers the Buddha's very first teaching, called the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.

Beginning of Vassa (Buddhist Lent)

  • Date: First waning moon in July (8th Thai lunar month)
  • What it is: This Buddhist observance marks the start of Vassa, also known as Buddhist Lent. During this time, monks stay in one place for three months.

HM the Queen's Birthday

  • Date: 12 August
  • What it is: This day celebrates the birthday of Queen Sirikit, who was born in 1932. It's also celebrated as National Mother's Day.

Chulalongkorn Day

  • Date: 23 October
  • What it is: This day remembers the passing of King Chulalongkorn in 1910. He was a very important king who brought many changes to Thailand.

HM the King's Birthday

Constitution Day

  • Date: 10 December
  • What it is: This day celebrates when Thailand got its first permanent constitution in 1932. A constitution is like a rulebook for how the country is governed.

New Year's Eve

  • Date: 31 December
  • What it is: This is the last day of the Gregorian year, leading up to New Year's Day.
  • Some private companies might not observe all of these days as holidays.
  • The months listed are when these holidays usually happen.

National Observances in Thailand

These are special days recognized by the government, but they are not usually public holidays where everyone gets a day off.

National Children's Day

  • Date: 2nd Saturday of January
  • What it is: This day is widely celebrated, especially by government groups, with lots of fun activities for kids. It has been celebrated on this day since 1965.

National Forest Conservation Day

  • Date: 14 January
  • What it is: This day encourages people to protect Thailand's forests and work against deforestation (when forests are cut down).

Teachers' Day

  • Date: 16 January
  • What it is: This day honors teachers all across the country. Some schools might even close for this day. It has been observed since 1957.

Elephant Duel Day

  • Date: 18 January
  • What it is: This day remembers a famous elephant duel won by King Naresuan against a Burmese prince in 1593.

Royal Thai Armed Forces Day

  • Date: 18 January
  • What it is: This day honors Thailand's military forces.

Inventor's Day

  • Date: 2 February
  • What it is: This day celebrates inventors. It remembers when King Bhumibol's invention, a special paddle wheel aerator for water, was officially registered in 1993.

Veterans' Day

  • Date: 3 February
  • What it is: This day honors military veterans. Special ceremonies are held at Victory Monument.

National Artist Day

  • Date: 24 February
  • What it is: This day honors Thailand's National Artists. It also celebrates the birthday of King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai.

International Women's Day

  • Date: 8 March
  • What it is: This day celebrates women's rights around the world.

King Nangklao Memorial Day

  • Date: 31 March
  • What it is: This day remembers the birthday of King Nangklao. It has been observed since 1998.

Civil Service Day

  • Date: 1 April
  • What it is: This day celebrates the first law about civil service (people who work for the government) in 1928.

Thai Heritage Conservation Day

  • Date: 2 April
  • What it is: This day celebrates the birthday of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and focuses on protecting Thailand's heritage.

Consumer Protection Day

  • Date: 30 April
  • What it is: This day focuses on protecting the rights of people who buy goods and services.

National Labour Day

  • Date: 1 May
  • What it is: Most private companies observe this day as a holiday for workers.

Sunthorn Phu Day

  • Date: 26 June
  • What it is: This day celebrates the birth of the famous Thai poet Sunthorn Phu in 1786.

National Thai Language Day

  • Date: 29 July
  • What it is: This day celebrates the Thai language.

National Science Day

National Youth Day

  • Date: 20 September
  • What it is: This day celebrates young people and remembers the birthdays of Kings Chulalongkorn and Ananda Mahidol.

Mahidol Day

National Police Day

  • Date: 13 October
  • What it is: This day honors the police force.

National Nurses' Day

  • Date: 21 October
  • What it is: This day celebrates nurses and remembers the birth of Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother.

Vajiravudh Day

  • Date: 25 November
  • What it is: This day remembers the passing of King Vajiravudh in 1925.

Damrong Rajanubhab Day

Thai Environment Day

  • Date: 4 December
  • What it is: This day focuses on protecting Thailand's environment.

National Sports Day

  • Date: 16 December
  • What it is: This day celebrates sports and remembers King Bhumibol winning a gold medal in sailing at the 1967 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games.

King Taksin Memorial Day

  • Date: 28 December
  • What it is: This day remembers when King Taksin became king in 1768.

Other Special Days

These are other important days in Thailand, some of which are celebrated by certain groups or for specific reasons.

National Agriculture Day

  • Date: 2 February
  • What it is: This day focuses on agriculture and farming.

Chinese New Year

  • Date: 1st day of the Chinese calendar (February)
  • What it is: This is a big celebration for Thai Chinese people and some private businesses. It usually lasts for three days.

Valentine's Day

  • Date: 14 February
  • What it is: A day for celebrating love and friendship.

Atthami Puja

  • Date: 8th waning moon in May–June (6th Thai lunar month)
  • What it is: A Buddhist observance that remembers the Buddha's cremation.

Duanwu Festival

  • Date: 5th day, 5th Chinese lunar month
  • What it is: A Chinese festival.

National Scout Day

  • Date: 1 July
  • What it is: This day celebrates the founding of scouting in Thailand by King Vajiravudh in 1911.

Mid-year Bank Holiday

  • Date: 1 July
  • What it is: This holiday is only for banks, not for other businesses or schools.

Ghost Festival

  • Date: 15th day, 7th Chinese lunar month (August)
  • What it is: A Chinese festival, also known as Sat Chin.

Moon Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival)

  • Date: 15th day, 8th Chinese lunar month (September)
  • What it is: A Chinese festival where people often eat mooncakes.

Defeat of Japan (Freedom Day)

  • Date: 16 August
  • What it is: This day remembers the defeat of Japan in World War II, but it's not widely celebrated.

Sat Thai Day

  • Date: New moon in September–October (10th Thai lunar month)
  • What it is: A traditional mid-year festival, mostly celebrated in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Vegetarian Festival

  • Date: 1st–9th days, 9th Chinese lunar month (September–October)
  • What it is: A festival where people eat only vegetarian food for nine days.

Pavarana

  • Date: Full moon in October (11th Thai lunar month)
  • What it is: This marks the end of the three-month Vassa (Buddhist Lent).

Loy Krathong

  • Date: Full moon in November (12th Thai lunar month)
  • What it is: A beautiful festival where people float decorated baskets (krathongs) on water. In Chiangmai, it's also known as Yee Peng Lantern Festival.

Christmas

  • Date: 25 December
  • What it is: This is a religious holiday for Christians and is also widely celebrated for shopping and decorations.
  • The months listed are when these observances usually happen.
kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Public holidays in Thailand Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.