Thai Festivals & Holidays 2019/20
Thailand celebrates a whole host of different celebrations, festivals and public holidays.
On Thai public holidays banks, post offices etc. are closed but all transport and most tourism-related businesses still operate as normal.
Below is a guide to the Thailand Public Holidays in 2019.
October 2019
13th Sunday – This public holiday comemmorates the passing of the revered King Rama IX, Bhumibol Adalyadej
14th Monday – Public Holiday in Lieu
23rd Wednesday – Chulalongkorn Day
Public Holiday in remembrance of the revered Thai Monarch King Rama V.
November 2019
13th Wednesday – Loy Kratong
Thailand’s special annual Full Moon Festival.
(Read more about this atmospheric festival here)
December 2019
5th Thursday – Father’s Day
The celebration of the date of birth of the revered King Rama IX, Bhumibol Adalyadej also marks Father’s day in Thailand.
10th Tuesday – Constitution Day
Public holiday celebrating the signing of the first of Thailand’s many constitutions.
25th Wednesday – Christmas Day
Not a public holiday in this Buddhist nation but Christmas is certainly celebrated in all the nation’s shopping malls.
31st Tuesday – New Year’s Eve
Public holiday
January 2020
1st Wednesday – New Years Day
The Western New Year is the first of three New Year celebrations in Thailand and is a national holiday.
25th Saturday – Chinese New Year
Whilst widely celebrated by Thailand’s large Chinese community the Chinese lunar New Year is not a national holiday although lots of businesses close and watch out for sudden bursts of firecracker fire. This year, in case you were wondering, will be the year of the Rat.
February 2020
8th Saturday – Makha Bucha Day
Makha Bucha day is a Buddhist festival and national holiday that celebrates the first sermon given by the Buddha.
10th Monday – Public Holiday in lieu
March 2020
22nd-23rd Saturday/Sunday – Trat Memorial Day
Although they are not public holidays on these days the people of Trat province celebrate the return of Trat to Thai sovereignty by the French following negotiations overseen by King Rama V. If you find yourself in Trat Town on these days then head to the park in front of the city hall which is the focus of festivities to mark the anniversary.
April 2020
Monday 6th – Chakri Day
A public holiday that celebrates the founding of Thailand’s Chakri dynasty of Monarchy in 1782 by King Rama I.
Mon 8th – Public Holiday in Lieu
Mon, Tue, Wed 13-14-15 – Songkran Festival (Read more about the famous water festival here)
Thailand’s New Year is celebrated by the famous water festival. Get involved and you’ll have fun.
Tuesday 16th – Public holiday in Lieu
May 2020
Friday 1st – Labour Day
A holiday that is held in Thailand and many other countries to celebrate the economic and social contributions of the Kingdom’s workers – by giving them the day off.
Monday 4th – Coronation Day
Wednesday 6th – Visaka Bucha Day
This sacred Buddhist day marks three events; the birth, the enlightenment and the ascention of the Buddha.
June 2020
3rd Wednesday – The Birthday of her Royal Highness the Queen of Thailand.
This day serves as a Public Holiday to celebrate the Queen’s birthday and is also the day that Thais celebrate Mothers’ Day.
July 2020
4th Saturday – Asana Bucha Day
6th Monday – Holiday in lieu forAsana Bucha Day
7th Wednesday – Khao Pansa Day (Buddhist Lent)
These are Public Holidays celebrating the Buddhist Lent period when monks traditionally retreat to their temples in contemplation as new life grows and springs forth.
28th Tuesday – H.M. King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday
August 2020
12th Wednesday – The Birthday of H.M. Queen Sirikit.
This day serves as a Public Holiday to celebrate the Queen’s birthday and is also the day that Thais celebrate Mothers’ Day.
October 2020
13th Tuesday – This public holiday comemmorates the passing of the revered King Rama IX, Bhumibol Adalyadej
23rd Friday – Chulalongkorn Day
Public Holiday in remembrance of the revered Thai Monarch King Rama V.
November 2020
1st Sunday – Loy Kratong (not a public holiday)
Thailand’s special annual Full Moon Festival.
(Read more about this atmospheric festival here)
December 2020
5th Saturday – Father’s Day
7th Monday- Public holiday in lieu
The celebration of the date of birth of the revered King Rama IX, Bhumibol Adalyadej also marks Father’s day in Thailand.
10th Thursday – Constitution Day
Public holiday celebrating the signing of the first of Thailand’s many constitutions.
25th Friday – Christmas Day
Not a public holiday in this Buddhist nation but Christmas is certainly celebrated in all the nation’s shopping malls.
31st Thursday – New Year’s Eve
Public holiday
