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© General Information
- Travelers' Net |
Public Holidays
The dates for some public holidays differ each year since they are calculated by the lunar
calendar. Although banks and government offices close on these days, shops remain open and
public transport is unaffected. Chinese New Year, which is not a national holiday, does
mean that many of the smaller shops close for two or three days, but department stores are
largely unaffected.
| wan keuhn (b)pee mai |
New Year's Day |
| wanjakgree |
April 6, Chakri Day, in memory of Rama I |
| song grarn |
April 13-15, Songkran, or the traditional Thai New Year |
| wan rairng ngarn |
May 1, Labour Day |
| wan chat mongkon |
May 5, Coronation Day, in memory of the coronation in 1946 of the present
King, Rama IX |
| wan chalerm prachanom pansar |
August 12, H.M. Queen's Birthday (Mother's Day) |
| wan (b)pee yamahar rart |
October 23, Chulalongkorn Day, in memory of King Rama V |
| wan chalerm prachanom pansar prabart somdeht pra jow yoo hua |
December 5, H.M. King's Birthday (National Day) |
| wan rat-ta-tam-ma-noon |
December 10, Constitution Day |
Movable Holidays
(marka boochar)
February, commemorating the day which the Buddha taught the key tenets of
Buddhism. Thais celebrate this with a wearn tearn ceremony in which people walk
round the temple chapel with lighted candles.
(wisarka boochar)
May, commemorating the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death with a wearn
tearn ceremony.
(arsarlaha boochar)
July, commemorating the first sermon of the Buddha.
(kow pansar)
Late July, the first day of Buddhist Lent and the time when Thai men
traditionally become ordained as monks.
(loi gratong)
The Festival of Lights. Praise is given to the Goddess of the Waters, mair
pra kongkar, in the form of banana leaf (or polystyrene) boats filled with flowers,
incense and candles.
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