About Thailand Public Holidays
Thailand observes 16 official national holidays (วันหยุดราชการ) per year, declared by the Council of Ministers. Thailand's holiday calendar is unlike any other in Southeast Asia — it uniquely blends Buddhist auspicious days, Royal Family commemorations, and national civic celebrations. Understanding the mix of lunar Buddhist days and fixed royal holidays is key to planning your calendar in Thailand.
The most important Thai holiday is Songkran (สงกรานต์), the traditional Thai New Year celebrated from 13 to 15 April. Since 2023, Songkran has been officially extended to three consecutive public holidays. The festival is world-famous for its water-splashing celebrations and draws millions of tourists to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya. Travel during Songkran is extremely busy — book accommodation and transport well in advance.
Several holidays honour the Thai Royal Family. King Vajiralongkorn's birthday (28 July) and Queen Sirikit's birthday (12 August, also Mother's Day) are official holidays. Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday (5 December) is observed as Father's Day. These royal holidays are observed solemnly and some commercial activities may be restricted.
Buddhist lunar holidays — Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha, and Khao Phansa — follow the lunar calendar and shift each year. Thailand's substitute rule: if a holiday falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday is the substitute day off; if it falls on Sunday, the following Monday is substituted.
2026 Public Holidays
| Date | Day | Holiday (English) | Thai Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day | วันขึ้นปีใหม่ |
| 13–15 Apr 2026 | Mon–Wed | Songkran Festival | วันสงกรานต์ |
| 1 May 2026 | Friday | National Labour Day | วันแรงงานแห่งชาติ Long Weekend |
| 5 May 2026 | Tuesday | Coronation Day | วันฉัตรมงคล |
| 31 May 2026 | Sunday | Visakha Bucha Day | วันวิสาขบูชา |
| 3 Jun 2026 | Wednesday | H.M. Queen Suthida's Birthday | วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา |
| 28 Jul 2026 | Tuesday | H.M. King Vajiralongkorn's Birthday | วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา รัชกาลที่ ๑๐ |
| 12 Aug 2026 | Wednesday | H.M. Queen Sirikit's Birthday (Mother's Day) | วันแม่แห่งชาติ |
| 23 Oct 2026 | Friday | Chulalongkorn Day | วันปิยมหาราช Long Weekend |
| 5 Dec 2026 | Saturday | H.M. King Bhumibol's Birthday (Father's Day) | วันพ่อแห่งชาติ |
| 10 Dec 2026 | Thursday | Constitution Day | วันรัฐธรรมนูญ |
| 31 Dec 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Eve | วันสิ้นปี |
2027 Public Holidays
⚠️ Tentative — 2027 dates are estimated. Buddhist lunar holidays may shift by ±1 day. Official calendar expected late 2026.
| Date | Day | Holiday (English) | Thai Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | Friday | New Year's Day | วันขึ้นปีใหม่ |
| ~17 Feb 2027 | Wednesday | Makha Bucha Day | วันมาฆบูชา (Tentative) |
| 6 Apr 2027 | Tuesday | Chakri Memorial Day | วันจักรี |
| 13–15 Apr 2027 | Tue–Thu | Songkran Festival (Thai New Year) | วันสงกรานต์ 3-Day Break |
| 1 May 2027 | Saturday | National Labour Day | วันแรงงานแห่งชาติ |
| 5 May 2027 | Wednesday | Coronation Day | วันฉัตรมงคล |
| ~20 May 2027 | Thursday | Visakha Bucha Day | วันวิสาขบูชา (Tentative) |
| 3 Jun 2027 | Thursday | H.M. Queen Suthida's Birthday | วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา |
| ~30 Jun 2027 | Wednesday | Asarnha Bucha Day | วันอาสาฬหบูชา (Tentative) |
| ~1 Jul 2027 | Thursday | Buddhist Lent Day (Khao Phansa) | วันเข้าพรรษา (Tentative) |
| 28 Jul 2027 | Wednesday | H.M. King Vajiralongkorn's Birthday | วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา รัชกาลที่ ๑๐ |
| 12 Aug 2027 | Thursday | H.M. Queen Sirikit's Birthday (Mother's Day) | วันแม่แห่งชาติ |
| 23 Oct 2027 | Saturday | Chulalongkorn Day | วันปิยมหาราช |
| 5 Dec 2027 | Sunday | H.M. King Bhumibol's Birthday (Father's Day) | วันพ่อแห่งชาติ |
| 10 Dec 2027 | Friday | Constitution Day | วันรัฐธรรมนูญ Long Weekend |
| 31 Dec 2027 | Friday | New Year's Eve | วันสิ้นปี Long Weekend |
📌 Important Notes
- Lunar Buddhist holidays (Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha) may vary ±1 day based on the lunar calendar.
- When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is typically a day off. When it falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is substituted.
- Songkran has been extended to 3 official days since 2023.
- Source: Office of the Prime Minister, Thailand
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public holidays does Thailand have in 2026?
Thailand has 16 official national holidays in 2026. Since Songkran spans 3 consecutive days (13–15 April), the actual days off is higher than the number of distinct holidays. The government may also declare additional one-off holidays for special royal or national events.
When is Songkran 2026 in Thailand?
Songkran 2026 falls on Monday 13 April to Wednesday 15 April. This 3-day official holiday marks the traditional Thai New Year and is celebrated with water-splashing festivities across the country. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya are the most popular destinations. Combined with the preceding weekend, Songkran 2026 gives a 5-day break.
What is Visakha Bucha Day in Thailand?
Visakha Bucha Day (วันวิสาขบูชา) commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Lord Buddha — all said to have occurred on the same full moon day. In 2026, it falls on Sunday 31 May. It is one of Thailand's most important Buddhist holidays, observed with candlelit processions (wian thian) at temples nationwide. Alcohol sales are prohibited on this day.
What is Thailand's substitute holiday rule?
In Thailand, if a public holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is typically observed as a substitute day off. If it falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is the substitute. This ensures workers always receive their full holiday entitlement regardless of what day of the week the holiday falls on.
Do Thailand's Buddhist holidays change dates every year?
Yes. Buddhist lunar holidays — Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha, and Khao Phansa — are calculated based on the lunar calendar and shift to a different Gregorian date each year. The Thai government announces the official dates for each year's Buddhist holidays through the cabinet. Fixed holidays like Songkran, Coronation Day, and Constitution Day remain on the same calendar date every year.