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Public Holidays in Thailand 2022

Public Holidays in Thailand 2022

When are public holidays in Thailand and what are they?

Thailand is one of the top countries for holidays in the world! Read on for our comprehensive list of all public holidays in Thailand for 2022. Can you believe there are over 27 holidays?!! This information about Thai holidays can help you plan a trip or if you live here, book a family getaway over a long weekend!

Knowing public holidays can help you plan your trip to Thailand or your trip within Thailand. It’s important to know, especially if you need to deal with any visa issues when government offices are going to be closed. Equally important. is knowing when banks will be shut. It would b frustrating to be stranded without cash on your travels within Thailand.

During public holidays in Thailand, all government offices and banks will close, however, most schools and businesses will remain open. This includes shopping malls, movie theaters, and tourist attractions.

Another thing to be aware of is that over holidays in Thailand, especially long weekends, traffic surges. Thai people return to their home towns over big holidays such as Songkran and New Year and the roads are crammed with cars. These are also the least safe times of year to be on the road. and You should just be prepared to grit your teeth through traffic as these holidays brings about increased competition for travel and accommodation from Thais who use long weekends to get away from the big city.

There are also a few festivals that occur on some Thai holidays and Buddhist celebrations as well.

Find out what will be open or closed on each public holiday in Thailand and if any bans or special rules will be in place.

This year there are an additional 8 public holidays being added. Some are national holidays while others are regional. This means that only some parts of Thailand will get regional holidays while national public holidays affect the entire nation.

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General things to know about Thai public holidays

Public holidays in thailand

Thailand loves their holidays! As a large population of Buddhists, there are many observations of Buddhist holidays and each one is celebrated in a unique way. There are also quite a few government holidays and western influenced holidays as well.

It is common for the government to announce certain bans on certain celebratory days. The most common ban occurs on the sale of alcohol, where no establishment is supposed to sell alcohol. Rarely, although it has happened in the past, a curfew may be instated if the government feels the public’s safety is at risk.

Depending on the holiday, government offices and banks will be closed, while most other public or commercial establishments will remain open.  

There are also regional holidays, national holidays, and government holidays. This can help explain why some establishments get holidays and other don’t. For example, Royal Ploughing Day and a few of the Buddhist holidays are generally only given to government workers and some government schools.  The general rule is if it is deemed a national holiday, you should be given the day off, or a day off in lieu, no matter where you are in the country.

Public holidays in Thailand 2022

January 1st

January 1st

This is a nationwide recognized annual holiday. Expect the roads to be busy as most people head home to their villages to celebrate with family. All government offices including immigration, banks and schools will be closed. Malls and branded stores will remain open.
New Years Day
February 16th

February 16th

This is a very important Buddhist holiday and is observed nationwide. It is the day Buddha first ordained monks to pass his teachings into the world. All government offices including immigration, some banks and most schools will be closed. Malls and branded stores will remain open. There will be a ban on alcohol sales as well.
Makha Bucha Day
April 6th

April 6th

Chakri Day celebrates the Chakri dynasty, which still remains in power with Rama X. All government offices including immigration, some banks and some schools will be closed. Malls and branded stores will remain open. There will be a ban on alcohol sales as well.
Chakri Day
April 13th - 15th

April 13th - 15th

This is the original Thai New Year! It's an official government holiday; offices, schools and banks will be closed, although the closure dates will vary depending on where you are in Thailand. It's commonly known to visitors as the largest water play festival in the world, especially in Chiang Mai.
Songkran Festival
May 1st -2nd

May 1st -2nd

Not much happens on this day and in fact, most people have to go to work on labour day - oh the irony. Only banks and some private businesses may be closed.
Labour Day
May 4th

May 4th

On this day, King Rama X was officially crowned as the King of Thailand. The majority of businesses are open on this day, however some schools will be closed and all government offices will be as well, including immigration.
Coronation of King Vajiralongkorn
May 13th

May 13th

All government sectors will be closed on this day. No other establishments will be affected. In Bangkok, monks will bless the upcoming crops for the year at the Royal Palace.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
May 15th-16th

May 15th-16th

Temples will be filled with locals donating goods to the monks and setting birds, fish, or frogs free, back into the wild as a means to make amends. All government offices including immigration, some banks and most schools will be closed. Malls and branded stores will remain open. There will be a ban on alcohol sales as well.
Visakha Bucha Day
June 3rd

June 3rd

This is the new queen's (Queen Suthida) birthday. Her birthday does not replace the old queen's birthday and is NOT mother's day. The old mother's day date will remain as August 12th for now. All government offices including immigration, some banks and most schools will be closed. Malls and branded stores will remain open.
Queen Suthida's birthday
July 13th

July 13th

This is a very important Buddhist holiday, but only government offices will be closed. It's the day that young men or boys often become monks, and many locals partake in candlelit processions at temples in the night on the 24th. On Monday, All government offices including immigration, some banks and most schools will be closed. Malls and branded stores will remain open. There will be a ban on alcohol sales as well.
Asahna Bucha Day
July 14th - 15th

July 14th - 15th

This is also a very important Buddhist holiday and another NEW national holiday. Previously, it was just a government holiday but in 2021 the whole nation will get a day off. The 25th is the first day of Buddhist lent, and a substituted holiday will be given on the 26th making July 24th-26th a long weekend.
Khao Phansa Day (Start of Buddhist lent)
July 28th - 29th

July 28th - 29th

King Rama X's birthday. All government offices including immigration, some banks and most schools will be closed on Monday, the observed day, for this national holiday. Malls and branded stores will remain open. His actual birthday occurs on July 28th.
King Vajiralongkorn's Birthday
August 12th

August 12th

Celebrated together on this national holiday are Mother's Day and the queen mother's birthday! All government offices and public institutions will be closed. Malls and most other businesses will remain open as usual.
Mother's Day
October 13th - 14th

October 13th - 14th

All government offices and public institutions will be closed as the nation mourns the late King, Rama VI. Some banks and most schools will be closed. Malls and most other businesses will remain open.
Memorial Day for Late King Rama IX
October 23rd - 24th

October 23rd - 24th

This day former beloved King Chulalongkorn is memorialized by Thai people. You will see his image in many Thai homes and businesses. For this national holiday substituted on Monday 25th Oct, all government offices and public institutions will be closed. Some schools will also close, but most businesses remain open.
Chulalongkorn Memorial Day
December 5th

December 5th

King Rama X's birthday is still observed as the nation's Father's Day. All government offices, schools, and banks will be closed on this national holiday. Malls and most businesses remain open on this day. His actual birthday falls on December 5th, 2021 and merits will be made on that day with the substituted day off on Monday Dec 6th.
Father's Day (Late King's Birthday)
December 10th - 12th

December 10th - 12th

On this national holiday, all government offices will be closed. This is the day to celebrate the country's first constitution. Some banks and most schools will be closed.
Constitution Day
December 30th - 31st

December 30th - 31st

As a national holiday, many businesses, all government offices, banks and schools will be closed as people head out on the roads to get home to celebrate with family. New Years Day January 1st, 2021, is also a national holiday.
New Year's Eve

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