If you need to check out the Thailand Public Holiday in 2024, here is the key information for your upcoming Thailand trip.
Overview
There will be 16 main public holidays in Thailand in 2024 with 13 public holidays according to the Gregorian calendar and 3 holidays based on the Thai Lunar calendar (Traditional New Year, Buddhist Lent Day, and Makha Bucha).
| 1 Jan | Monday | New Year’s Day |
| 24 – 26 Feb | Saturday | Makha Bucha |
| 6 – 8 Apr | Saturday | Chakri Day |
| 13 – 16 Apr | Saturday | Songkran |
| 1 May | Wednesday | Labor Day |
| 4 – 6 May | Saturday | Coronation Day |
| 6 May | Monday | Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day |
| 3 Jun | Monday | Queen Suthida’s Birthday |
| 20 – 22 Jul | Saturday | Buddhist Lent Day |
| 28 – 29 Jul | Sunday | King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday |
| 12 Aug | Monday | The Queen’s Birthday |
| 13 – 14 Oct | Sunday | Anniversary of the Death of King Bhumibol |
| 23 Oct | Wednesday | Chulalongkorn Day |
| 5 Dec | Thursday | King Bhumibol’s Birthday/Father’s Day |
| 10 Dec | Tuesday | Constitution Day |
| 30 Dec | Monday | New Year Special Public Holiday |
| 31 Dec | Tuesday | New Year’s Eve |
*Note: Some holidays that fall on weekends will be compensated with a day off on the following working day.
Meaning of Each Holiday
- New Year’s Day: Beginning of the world’s new year
- Makha Bucha: A significant Buddhist festival celebrated a spontaneous assembly of 1,250 monks who gathered to listen to the teachings of Buddha.
- Chakri Day: Honors the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty in Thailand by King Rama I. It is a day of remembrance for the contributions of the Chakri monarchs.
- Songkran: Thailand’s traditional New Year festival celebrated in April. It is famous for its water fights and represents the cleansing of the old year and welcoming the new with good fortune.
- Labor Day: Global celebration of workers
- Coronation Day: Commemorates the crowning of King Vajiralongkorn in 2019
- Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day: This agricultural ceremony symbolizes the start of the rice-growing season. The ceremony involves the symbolic plowing of a field by royal oxen.
- Queen Suthida’s Birthday: Honoring the Thailand Queen Suthida, the birthday celebration on June 3rd is a time for expressing admiration and well-wishes for the Queen.
- Buddhist Lent Day: This is a three-month period of intensive meditation and reflection for monks.
- King vajiralongkorn’s Birthday: This day honors the reigning monarch, King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X)
- The Queen’s Birthday: This day honors the birthday of Queen Sirikit (mother of King Vajiralongkorn).
- Anniversary of the Death of King Bhumibol: commemorates the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (father of King Vajiralongkorn)
- Chulalongkorn Day: Commemorates the death of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). It is a day to recognize his modernization efforts and reforms.
- King Bhumibol’s Birthday/Father’s Day: The day is dedicated to celebrating the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and is also observed as Father’s Day in Thailand.
- Constitution Day: commemorating the adoption of Thailand’s first constitution in 1932
Activities Foreigners can Join
Songkran (Thai New Year)
Songkran is famous for its water fights. Locals and tourists alike participate in lively water battles on the streets. You can buy a water gun (pistol-style is best) or water balloons and join the friendly water fights.
Many public spaces host events such as parades, cultural performances, and fireworks displays. Furthermore, you can also visit temples to make merit and participate in religious ceremonies.
You can consider visiting major cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket to see intense activities and events. Smaller towns will offer a more traditional way of celebration.
Makha Bucha, Vesak, Asahna Bucha, and Buddhist Lent Day
During these special Buddhist days, temples will organize candlelit processions, religious ceremonies, and meditation events. Visitors can join in respectful observation.
Loi Krathong (15 August)
Loi Krathong is known for floating small decorated rafts (krathongs) on water. It carries the hopes and wishes for good luck as people release it onto the water. You can visit Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Sukhothai to indulge in this festival atmosphere.
In cities like Chiang Mai, there is the Yi Peng Lantern Festival with thousands of lanterns are released into the sky, which is also a famous worldwide festival in Thailand. Festivities often include traditional dance and music performances.
You can purchase your well-prepared Krathong made locally with the price of 0,5 – 3 USD from markets or vendors or make it yourself. Traditionally, krathongs are made from banana leaf stalks and decorated with flowers, candles, and incense.
Conclusion
We hope this guide will help you better understand Thailand’s public holidays to plan your trip and how you can also join to celebrate some special occasions with Thai people.
If you need assistance with your trip to Thailand and Indochina, feel free to leave your details in the Enquire section or drop us a message in the chat box. Our team is always available to provide support and guidance for your travel plans.
