Here are our key dates for Thailand’s holidays and observances for 2026.
January 16 (Friday) – Teachers’ Day: A day of appreciation for educators, with school ceremonies (not a public holiday).
- February 14 (Saturday) – Valentine’s Day: A day for love and gifts, especially celebrated in malls and restaurants.
- February 17 (Tuesday) – Chinese New Year: Observed in southern provinces with parades and festivities (regional holiday).
- March 3 (Tuesday) – Makha Bucha Day: A Buddhist public holiday marked by merit-making and alcohol ban.
- March 20 (Friday) – Eid al-Fitr: Regional holiday in southern provinces celebrating the end of Ramadan.
- April 6 (Monday) – Chakri Memorial Day: Commemorates the founding of the Chakri Dynasty.
- April 13–15 (Mon-Wed) – Songkran Festival: Thai New Year and the country’s biggest holiday with water fights, merit-making, and family reunions.
- May 1 (Friday) – National Labour Day: Holiday for private sector and bank employees.
- May 4 (Monday) – Coronation Day: Honours the coronation of King Vajiralongkorn.
- May 11 (Monday) – Royal Ploughing Ceremony: Government holiday marking the rice planting season.
- May 27 (Wednesday) – Eid al-Adha: Regional Islamic holiday (southern provinces).
- May 31 (Sunday) – Visakha Bucha Day: One of Buddhism’s most sacred days, with a national alcohol ban.
- June 1 (Monday) – Substitution for Visakha Bucha Day: Day off in lieu of May 31.
- June 3 (Wednesday) – H.M. Queen Suthida’s Birthday: Celebrated with royal ceremonies and public events.
- July 1 (Wednesday) – Mid-Year Bank Holiday: Banks closed; government/private offices remain open.
- July 28 (Tuesday) – King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday: National holiday.
- July 29 (Wednesday) – Asarnha Bucha Day: Commemorates Buddha’s first sermon; alcohol ban in effect.
- July 30 (Thursday) – Buddhist Lent Day (Khao Phansa): Government holiday with continued alcohol ban.
August 12 (Wednesday) – H.M. Queen Mother’s Birthday / Mother’s Day: National holiday with family celebrations and merit-making.
September 24 (Thursday) – Mahidol Day: Observance honouring Prince Mahidol, the father of modern Thai medicine.
- October 13 (Tuesday) – King Bhumibol Memorial Day: A day of remembrance for the late King.
- October 23 (Friday) – King Chulalongkorn Day: National holiday honouring King Rama V.
- October 26 (Monday) – End of Buddhist Lent (Ok Phansa): Observance day with alcohol ban.
- October 31 (Saturday) – Halloween: Celebrated in tourist areas with costumes and parties (not an official public holiday).
November 25 (Wednesday) – Loy Krathong/Yi Peng: Festival of Lights celebrated with floating offerings and lanterns (not a public holiday).
- December 5 (Saturday) – Father’s Day / King Bhumibol’s Birthday.
- December 7 (Monday) – Substitution for Father’s Day: National holiday.
- December 10 (Thursday) – Constitution Day: Marks Thailand’s shift to a constitutional monarchy.
- December 25 (Friday) – Christmas Day: Commercially celebrated, especially in tourist and expat areas.
- December 31 (Thursday) – New Year’s Eve: National holiday with countdown events and fireworks.
Source: The Thaiger