Thailand Festivals and Events 2012

1st January - New Year's Day *
10th January - Children's Day
16th January - Teacher's Day
26th January - Chinese New Year Day
3rd February - War Veterans' Day
9th February - Makha Bucha Day *
24th February - National Artist Day
13th March - National Elephant Day

April is the summer holidays for schools. These are generally from mid-March to early May. There will be a lot of families traveling during this period.

6th April - Chakri Memorial Day *
13th-15th April - Songkran *
1st May - National Labor Day *
5th May - Coronation Day *
11th May - Royal Ploughing Ceremony **
26th June - Sunthon Phu Day
7th July - Asarnha Buch Day *
8th July - Start of Buddhist Retreat *
29th July - Thai Language Day
12th August - Queen's Birthday and Mother's Day *

October marks the end of the Rains Retreat and there are many festivals like temple fairs, boat racing, buffalo racing etc. Schools are also on holiday this month for about 3 weeks.

3rd October - Rup Bua Festival, Samut Prakan (TBC)
3rd October - Buffalo Racing, Chonburi (TBC)
4th October - End of Buddhist Retreat
9th October - Phra Samut Chedi Temple Fair, Samut Prakan
23rd October - Chulalongkorn Memorial Day *
2nd November - Loy Krathong
5th December - King's Birthday and Father's Day *
7th December - Substitution Day for King's Birthday *
10th December - Constitution Day *
31st December - New Year's Day *

* These are public holidays - if it is a long weekend then it is advisable to book hotels and transport in advance.
** Holiday for government workers only