Festivals and public holidays in Thailand, important dates in 2024

The main public holidays in Thailand in 2024, to get an idea of the days when government offices, banks and shops may be closed.

To find out about all the upcoming events by month (parties, festivals, exhibitions, sports events, etc.) see our Calendar of festivals in Thailand.

Note: In Thailand, there are two calendars, the Western Christian calendar and the Buddhist calendar, which begins 543 years earlier.

All public holidays 2024 in Thailand

1ᵉʳ January 2024: New Year - Bank holiday -

Just like at home and all over the world.

13 January 2024: Children's Day

And yes, in Thailand, children also have the right to a party (back home, it's Christmas).

Children's Day is celebrated on the second Saturday in January.

Open doors, shows and other activities are organised for the little ones, making it an opportunity for family outings.

See : National Children's Day in Thailand

16 January 2024: Teachers' Day

On Teachers' Day, pupils pay their respects to teachers by giving them flowers and making the "traditional "wai.

In some schools there are also performances.

See : Teachers' Day in Thailand

6 February: Muay Thai Day

Muay Thai Day is celebrated every year on 6 February.

The day pays tribute to King Sanphet 8ᵉ of the Ayutthaya era, who is considered the father of the nation's traditional martial art.

10 February 2024: Chinese New Year

Thais and the country's Chinese community celebrate Chinese New Year over 3 days.

During this period, China is highlighted in the big cities with lots of red decorations, vegetarian food stalls, lots of fireworks and the famous dragon dances.

See : Chinese New Year 2024 in Thailand

14 February 2023: Valentine's Day

Lovers' Day throughout the country.

In the Trang area, they hold underwater weddings every year on this occasion.

See our article :
Wedding underwater at 12 metres depth in Thailand

24 February 2024: Makha Bucha

Makha Busha is a festival commemorating the day when 1,250 disciples spontaneously gathered to hear the first sermon of Buddha defining the fundamental principles of the Buddhism.

See our article :
Makha Bucha day, an important Buddhist festival in Thailand

26 February Makha Bucha - Public holiday

As Makha Bucha falls on a Saturday, the public holiday has been moved to Monday 26 February.

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6 April 2023 Day of the Chakri

The anniversary of the coronation of the first king of the Chakri dynasty, of which the current king is the tenth representative, Rama X.

This day also commemorates the beginning of the Rattanakosin era with Bangkok as the capital of the kingdom.

On this occasion, a ceremony is held with the royal family in the temple Wat Phra Keo, à Bangkok.

See : 6 April Chakri Day

8 April Chakri Day - public holiday - France

As Chakri Day falls on a Saturday, the public holiday has been moved to Monday 8 February.

13 to 16 April 2023, Songkran: Thai New Year - Public holiday

Thai New Year is celebrated throughout the country from 13 to 16 April, with dates varying from province to province.

It is one of the most important festivals and the occasion for great water fights.

See our article : Songkran, the Thai New Year

1ᵉʳ May: Labour Day

Workers' Day as in many countries.

4 May: Day of the coronation of King Rama X

King Rama X was crowned on 4 May 2019.

See : 4 May: King Rama X's coronation day - public holiday

6 May: Day of the coronation of King Rama X - Public holiday - (in French)

As Coronation Day falls on a Saturday, the public holiday is moved to Monday 6 May.

1 May: Royal Labour Day ceremony - Public holiday

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony marks the official start of the rice transplanting season and aims to promote a good harvest.

This Brahmanical and Buddhist rite takes place every year in May, the date being fixed by the court astrologers.

See : Royal Labour ceremony in Thailand - public holiday

22 or 23 May: Visakha Bucha 2024 - Public holiday -

Visakha Bucha is the country's most important religious ceremony, commemorating Buddha's birth, awakening and death.

Religious ceremonies are held in all the country's temples.

See : Visakha Bucha, Buddhist festival

3 June: Queen Suthida's birthday

Birthday of the Queen of Thailand, wife of King Rama X.

See : 3 June: Queen Suthida's birthday

20 July: Asahna Bucha 2024 - Public holiday

On the full moon day in July, Asahna Bucha, a Buddhist religious festival celebrating the first sermon of Buddha, is celebrated.

It is one of the most important Buddhist festivals.

See : Asahna Bucha: Buddhist festival and public holiday

21 July: Khao Phansa 2024

Khao Phansa begins just after Asahara Bucha, which is the Buddhist Lent, a three-month retreat period for monks.

During this period, many young people became monks.

It's also a time when Thais make good resolutions, such as giving up drinking and smoking, going on a diet...

See :
Khao Phansa: Thailand's "Buddhist Lent

28 July: Birthday of HM King Vajiralongkorn

DM's birthday Rama X, King of Thailand.

See : Birthday of the King of Thailand: Maha Vajiralongkorn

29 July: Birthday of HM King Vajiralongkorn - Public holiday

As King Rama X's birthday falls on a Sunday, the public holiday has been moved to Monday 29 July.

12 August: Birthday of Queen Mother Sirikit and Mother's Day - Public holiday

Mother's Day in Thailand was timed to coincide with the birthday of Queen Siri kitmother of the current King of Thailand.

As the Queen was born on a Friday, the Thais dress in blue as a mark of respect.

For more information see :
12 August: Queen Sirikit's birthday and Mother's Day
and
In Thailand, there is a colour for each day of the week

13 October 2024, date of the death of HM King Bhumibol, Rama IX

Rama IX, the former King of Thailand died on Thursday 13 October 2016.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej is gone, Thailand mourns

14 October, date of the death of HM King Bhumibol - Public holiday

As 13 October falls on a Sunday, the public holiday has been moved to 14 October.

17 October: Ok Phansa 2024

It is the end of the Buddhist Lent, Khao Phansa.

On Ok Phansa day, Buddhists go to various temples to make offerings, including monastic vestments.

See : Ok Phansa, the end of Buddhist Lent in Thailand

23 October: Chulalongkorn Day

On the day of the death of Rama V, Chulalongkorn A king who is still loved and revered by the Thai people, he is considered to be the king who opened up the country to modernity.

15 November 2024: Loy Krathong

The end of the rainy season is celebrated on the full moon day in November.

It is one of the most beautiful festivals in the country, beauty contests are organized as well as the contest of the most beautiful krathong (small flowered raft), the stretches of water are illuminated by the candles of the rafts and the sky is illuminated by thousands of Thai lanterns.

See our article : Loy Kratong, the Festival of Lights

5 December: Birthday of King Rama IX and Father's Day - Public holiday

The birthday of the late King Rama IX.

It's also Father's Day, a bank holiday.

As the king was born on a Monday, the Thais wear a yellow garment to pay tribute to him (see here on colours).

See : Birthday of the late King Rama IX and Father's Day in Thailand: 5 December

10 December: Constitution Day - Public Holiday -

Commemorates Thailand's first constitution of 1932 which changed the country from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.

See : 10 December: Constitution Day in Thailand

25 December 2023 Christmas

In the villages, nothing happens on this occasion, but in the big cities and mainly in the shopping centres, Christmas is celebrated.

On this occasion, the supermarket employees are dressed in white and red caps and the song Jingle Bells is played on a loop.

31 December: New Year's Eve - Public holiday - France

New Year's Eve, celebrated in Thailand as elsewhere, even if in the countryside it is not an important holiday.