Public holidays

  • Thailand TravelHolidays and observances in Thailand in 2025

    Holidays and observances in Thailand in 2025

    As we get ready for the new year, it’s a great time to start planning ahead. The holidays and observances in Thailand for 2025 are a perfect opportunity to make sure you’re booking your time off or planning that trip you’ve been thinking about. Whether you’re staying in Thailand or heading elsewhere, it’s always handy to know which days are…

  • Thai LifeCelebrating Thailand’s Father’s Day

    Celebrating Thailand’s Father’s Day

    Thailand’s Father’s Day, celebrated on 5th December, is a heartfelt occasion that honours fatherhood and reflects the rich cultural traditions of the country. This day holds dual significance as it also commemorates the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose birthday is marked by the occasion. The day is a unique opportunity for families and communities to come together and for expats…

  • Thailand NewsThailand announces extra holiday to boost Songkran economy

    Thailand announces extra holiday to boost Songkran economy

    Thailand’s financial sector is set to benefit from an additional public holiday, as declared by the Royal Thai Government Gazette. The special holiday is part of a government initiative to facilitate travel flexibility and stimulate the tourism, service sectors, and the overall economy during the Songkran festival. This move aligns with the Cabinet’s decision from February 13, and marks a…

  • Thailand NewsThai government announces five-day weekend for Songkran holiday

    Thai government announces five-day weekend for Songkran holiday

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared Friday, April 12 a special government holiday, amplifying the Songkran celebrations with a five-day weekend. The decision made a full two months ahead of the festival, aims to provide ample time for both individuals and businesses to prepare for the festivities. The 61 year old Thai PM-cum-finance minister expressed his desire for the Ministry of Tourism…

  • Phuket NewsExtended Thai public holidays offer rare six-day break amidst King’s birthday

    Extended Thai public holidays offer rare six-day break amidst King’s birthday

    In the week ahead, residents and visitors in Phuket are encouraged to soak up a rare bounty of public holidays, set across five out of six consecutive days. Starting next Friday (July 28), the nation will unite to celebrate the 71st birthday of the King. Adding to the festive period, two significant Buddhist events, Asarnha Bucha Day and Khao Phansa…

  • Pattaya NewsUpcoming public holidays and impact on immigration office hours

    Upcoming public holidays and impact on immigration office hours

    Thailand is gearing up for three upcoming public holidays that will temporarily shut down government offices, including immigration departments. The first of these holidays, Coronation Day, falls on Thursday, May 4, and will be followed by a “bridge” continuation day on Friday, May 5. The Thai government announced these additional holidays last year as a means to boost domestic tourism…

  • Thailand NewsThailand among 25 countries with least paid leave days

    Thailand among 25 countries with least paid leave days

    Thailand is among a list of countries offering the least amount of days of paid leave and paid public holidays in the world, according to a new study by Resume.io. No East/Southeast Asian country whatsoever made it into the top 25 countries with the most amount of paid public holidays and paid annual leave days. Resume.io‘s study found out how…

  • Thailand NewsChakri Day 2022: All you need to know about Thailand’s public holiday

    Chakri Day 2022: All you need to know about Thailand’s public holiday

    Chakri Memorial Day is an annual public holiday that’s observed on April 6 in Thailand. Officially called “King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great Day” and “Chakri Dynasty Memorial Day”, the holiday commemorates the coronation of General Chao Phraya Chakri as Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, aka Rama I, establishing the Chakri Dynasty in 1782. One of King Rama I’s first significant…

  • Visa InformationDeadline to apply for “Covid” visa extension July 29; office closures

    Deadline to apply for “Covid” visa extension July 29; office closures

    The deadline to apply for a 60-day special “Covid” visa extension is July 29, but many should apply at least a week prior as Immigration offices will be closed for public holidays during the last week of the month. Immigration offices in expat-dense areas tend to get packed during the days leading up to the deadlines. The special visa extension…

  • EventsChakri Memorial Day – why is it a public holiday in Thailand?

    Chakri Memorial Day – why is it a public holiday in Thailand?

    April 6 is a prominent holiday for Thais as they commemorate Chakri Memorial Day which remembers King Rama 1, the Founder of the Chakri Dynasty, which continues to this date. The current King Maha Vajiralongkorn is Rama X, the tenth Thai King of the Chakri Dynasty. Officially known as ‘King Buddha YodfaChulaloke the Great Day and Chakri Dynasty Memorial Day’,…

  • Tourism NewsTourism operators pinning hopes on Songkran holiday

    Tourism operators pinning hopes on Songkran holiday

    Thai hotels and airlines are pinning their hopes on Songkran to revive a domestic tourism sector that has been dormant since the resurgence of Covid-19 late last year. According to a Bangkok Post report, Centara Hotels and Resorts are reporting an uptick in advance bookings for the holiday period. Chief exec Thirayuth Chirathivat says while forward bookings don’t come close…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s fusion of religious beliefs: Buddhism, Animism and Brahmanism

    Thailand’s fusion of religious beliefs: Buddhism, Animism and Brahmanism

    Thailand’s people are known for being devout Theravada, or orthodox, Buddhists. In fact, the country’s government is a theocracy in which many public holidays and ceremonies are officially recognised in its calendar of events. Schools close and government institutions shut down in order to give its residents the day off to celebrate and to take part in national Buddhist ceremonies. …

  • Tourism NewsThai government promises more long weekends in 2021, travel bubbles after April

    Thai government promises more long weekends in 2021, travel bubbles after April

    In a bid to further boost domestic tourism, the Thai government plans to create more holidays in 2021, as well as introducing travel bubbles after April. The Tourism and Sports Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, says every month in the coming year could have a long weekend, as homegrown tourists continue to be the main focus for at least the first quarter…

  • Tourism NewsPoll finds most Thais have no plans to travel during long weekends

    Poll finds most Thais have no plans to travel during long weekends

    Most Thai people plan to spend long weekends at home and have no travel plans, according to a Bangkok Poll survey. Nation Thailand reports that the survey carried out by Bangkok University shows that 54% of respondents have not made any travel plans for December. In terms of those who do plan to travel, Chiang Mai has proved the most…

  • Tourism NewsOver 5 million escape Bangkok by car and public transport as holiday begins

    Over 5 million escape Bangkok by car and public transport as holiday begins

    The Transport Ministry says just under 5.3 million Bangkok residents have left the capital as the long holiday gets underway. Anon Luangboriboon says the exodus began on Wednesday, a day before the holiday period began. The Bangkok Post reports that the figures include those travelling by car and public transport, with 2.25 million leaving by bus and van. Anon says…

  • Tourism NewsThai hotels concerned extra holidays may not benefit all

    Thai hotels concerned extra holidays may not benefit all

    As the Cabinet confirms two additional long weekends in November and December, the country’s hotels are concerned that not all operators will benefit. The extra holidays, running from November 19 to 22, and from December 10-13, are being introduced to further boost domestic tourism. Although they have been given a cautious welcome by hotel operators, the Thai Hotels Association points…