Thailand has around 16 to 18 public holidays a year, and they matter more than the number suggests. Several are tied to the lunar calendar, so the dates move every year. Others fall on a weekend and are pushed to the next working day. This guide lists the 2026 and 2027 dates, explains what actually closes, and flags the holidays that cause real disruption for travelers. For the wider seasonal picture, see our best time to visit Thailand guide.
How Thai public holidays work
Three things shape the calendar:
- Fixed-date holidays such as New Year’s Day, Chakri Day and the King’s Birthday always fall on the same date.
- Buddhist holidays follow the lunar calendar (Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asalha Bucha), so the date shifts each year.
- Substitute days: when a holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday, the next working day is usually given as a day off. The government can also declare extra “bridging” holidays to create long weekends, sometimes announced only weeks ahead.
Banks follow the Bank of Thailand (BOT) calendar, which is close to, but not identical with, the government list. Both lists below were checked against published BOT and bank notices. Extra holidays can still be added at short notice, so check the BOT site if your plans depend on a specific day.
Public holidays 2026
A carved wax candle float at the Ubon Candle Festival parade.
Dates as published for financial institutions (Bangkok Bank / BOT), as of October 2026:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Thu 1 Jan | New Year’s Day |
| Fri 2 Jan | Special bank holiday |
| Tue 3 Mar | Makha Bucha Day |
| Mon 6 Apr | Chakri Memorial Day |
| Mon 13 - Wed 15 Apr | Songkran (Thai New Year) |
| Fri 1 May | National Labour Day |
| Mon 4 May | Coronation Day |
| Mon 1 Jun | Substitute for Visakha Bucha (Sun 31 May) |
| Tue 28 Jul | King’s Birthday |
| Wed 29 Jul | Asalha Bucha Day |
| Wed 12 Aug | Queen Sirikit’s Birthday / Mother’s Day |
| Tue 13 Oct | Anniversary of King Bhumibol’s passing |
| Fri 23 Oct | Chulalongkorn Day |
| Mon 7 Dec | Substitute for 5 Dec (King Bhumibol’s Birthday / Father’s Day) |
| Thu 10 Dec | Constitution Day |
| Thu 31 Dec | New Year’s Eve |
Government offices may observe a few more days, for example Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent) on 30 July and Queen Suthida’s Birthday on 3 June, which banks do not always close for. There was also a one-off special bank holiday in Bangkok on 16 October 2026 linked to the IMF-World Bank meetings, a reminder that extra days do appear.
Public holidays 2027
The BOT has published 18 bank holidays for 2027. Buddhist dates below come from that list:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Fri 1 Jan | New Year’s Day |
| Sun 21 Feb | Makha Bucha Day (Mon 22 Feb substitute) |
| Tue 6 Apr | Chakri Memorial Day |
| Tue 13 - Thu 15 Apr | Songkran |
| Sat 1 May | Labour Day (Mon 3 May substitute) |
| Tue 4 May | Coronation Day |
| Thu 20 May | Visakha Bucha Day |
| Thu 3 Jun | Queen Suthida’s Birthday |
| Sun 18 Jul | Asalha Bucha Day (Mon 19 Jul substitute) |
| Wed 28 Jul | King’s Birthday |
| Thu 12 Aug | Queen Sirikit’s Birthday / Mother’s Day |
| Wed 13 Oct | Anniversary of King Bhumibol’s passing |
| Sat 23 Oct | Chulalongkorn Day (Mon 25 Oct substitute) |
| Sun 5 Dec | King Bhumibol’s Birthday (Mon 6 Dec substitute) |
| Fri 10 Dec | Constitution Day |
| Fri 31 Dec | New Year’s Eve |
Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent) follows Asalha Bucha by one day, so expect it around 19 to 20 July 2027. Some calendars list slightly different Buddhist dates until the official announcement, so confirm closer to travel.
What is open and what is closed
Banks and government offices close on every holiday. Immigration offices, including the 90-day reporting and extension desks, also close, so check dates before any visa deadline. ATMs, online banking and most mall branches keep running.
Shops, malls and restaurants stay open on almost all holidays. Convenience stores, supermarkets and tourist-area restaurants operate as normal. Small family-run businesses in provincial towns often close for Songkran and sometimes for Lunar New Year.
Attractions mostly stay open and get busier. Temples and the Grand Palace in Bangkok continue to receive visitors, though dress rules are strictly applied on royal and Buddhist days. Government-run museums and some national parks may close or shorten hours.
Transport runs but fills up. Trains, buses, domestic flights and ferries sell out around long weekends. Bangkok taxis and ride-hailing become scarce on Songkran mornings. Public transport in the capital runs, but sometimes on reduced schedules.
Alcohol: sales have historically been restricted on major Buddhist days (Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asalha Bucha, Khao Phansa). Rules have eased in recent years, but enforcement still varies, so ask your hotel before planning a bar night. Elections and some royal days have also triggered bans.
The holidays that disrupt travel most
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep lit against the night sky above Chiang Mai.
- Songkran (13 to 15 April). The single biggest disruption. Water fights in cities, packed transport, price surges on rooms, and local shops closed. Many travelers love it, but you need to book months ahead and keep phones in waterproof pouches.
- New Year (31 December to 2 January). Domestic travel peaks and beach island rooms sell out. Our New Year’s Eve in Thailand guide covers where to go.
- Long weekends created by substitute days. In 2027, for example, Songkran, May and July all produce three or four day breaks. Thai families head to beaches and Chiang Mai, so expect full buses and trains.
- Buddhist holy days. Less about transport, more about alcohol rules and the atmosphere. Temples hold candle-lit processions that are worth seeing.
- Royal days (28 July, 12 August, 13 and 23 October, 5 December). Government closures and subdued entertainment. Wear modest clothes and expect black or yellow clothing in the crowds, following local etiquette.
Loy Krathong and Yi Peng are not public holidays but draw heavy crowds in Chiang Mai and Sukhothai, so book early; see our Yi Peng and Loy Krathong guide. Chinese New Year is also not a national holiday, but shops in Chinatown areas and in Phuket Town, Hat Yai and other Sino-Thai towns close for a few days.
Planning tips
- Book early for Songkran and New Year: trains and flights 6 to 8 weeks out, rooms by 3 months.
- Carry cash before any bank holiday, especially outside Bangkok.
- Do paperwork before holidays. Visa extensions, 90-day reports and banking take at least one working day.
- Use holidays to your advantage by visiting big sights on a holiday morning when many locals are travelling out of town. Bangkok is often calmer on Songkran-adjacent days.
- Join a guided tour when transport is tight: a Bangkok temples and city tour removes the logistics, or browse tours across Thailand.
Dates are published by the Bank of Thailand and the cabinet, and extra days can be added or moved. Re-check the official list a few weeks before you travel.