Thailand Festivals and Events 2012

These are the major events and festivals in Thailand for 2011. The dates in bold are also public holidays.

1st January 2011 - New Year's Day
3rd January 2011 - Substitution Day for New Year *
8th January 2011 - Children's Day
16th January 2011 - Teacher's Day
3rd February 2011 - War Veterans' Day
3rd February 2011 - Chinese New Year Day
18th February 2011 - Makha Bucha Day *
24th February 2011 - National Artist 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. During the Songkran period, 13-14 April, you should book your travel in advance and also think about booking hotels too in some locations.

13 March 2011 - National Elephant Day
6th April 2011 - Chakri Memorial Day *
13-15 April 2011 - Songkran *

Most schools will go back after the long summer holiday towards the start of May. This is the beginning of the Thai school year.

1st May 2011 - National Labor Day
2nd May 2011 - Substitution Day for National Labor Day * ***
5th May 2011 - Coronation Day *
13th May 2011 - Royal Ploughing Ceremony **
16th May - Extra holiday approved by the Cabinet to make a 4 (5) day long weekend * **
17th May 2011 - Visakha Bucha Day * (long weekend)
26th June 2011 - Sunthon Phu Day
15th July 2011 - Asarnha Bucha Day * (long weekend)
16th July 2011 - Start of Buddhist Rains Retreat
29th July 2011 - Thai Language Day
12th August 2011 - Queen's Birthday and Mother's Day * (long weekend)
12th September 2011 - Chinese Mooncake Festival

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 and usually go back first week in November.

12th October 2011 - The end of the three month Buddhist Rains Retreat
13th October 2010 - Tak Bat Thewo
23rd October 2011 - Chulalongkorn Memorial Day  (long weekend)
24th October 2011 - Substitution Day for Chulalongkorn Day * (long weekend)

After the October holidays, Thai school usually go back in early November for the start of their second semester.

10th November 2011 - Loy Krathong
27th November 2011 - Monkey Party in Lopburi
5th December 2011 - King's Birthday and Father's Day * (long weekend)
10th December 2011 - Constitution Day
12th December 2011 - Substitution Day for Constitution Day * (long weekend)
31st December 2011 - 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.
** The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is a holiday for government workers only
*** This holiday is not applied to government agencies

Note: For financial institutions in Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, and Satun provinces, an extra holiday is given for the Eidilfitri Day (Ramadan Day) announced by the Sheikhul Islam Office if it does not fall on any of the holidays listed above or Saturday and Sunday.