2012 Thailand Public Holidays.

There will be fifteen (15) public holidays in Thailand in 2012. Public holidays in Thailand are observed both by public and private sector organizations. In addition to public holidays there are numerous Thailand holidays that are observed by specific people depending on their affiliations e.g. Religion or region one is coming from.

It is important to note that in Thailand, if any holiday is on a weekend, the following workday is observed as a non-working day.

Thailand public holidays in 2012 are;

1st -3rd January (Sunday ,Monday ,Tuesday) New Year’s Eve.

It’s a worldwide holiday. It celebrates the beginning of the western calendar year

7th March (Wednesday) Makha Bucha Day.

Commemorates the first sermon of the Buddha to his disciples.

6th April (Friday) Chakri Day.

Celebrates the founding of the Chakri dynasty by Rama the first. It also commemorates the founding of Bangkok, Thailand’s capital.

13th-15th April (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) Songkran Water Festival.

16th-17th April (Monday, Tuesday) Songkran festival (non-working day).

This holiday marks the traditional Thailand New Year. Most Thais take this time to be with their families back home. It is also celebrated as a water festival.

1st May (Tuesday) Labour Day.

It’s an international holiday that is also observed by Thailand.

5th May (Saturday) Coronation Day.

Commemorates the ascension and crowning of King Rama the 9th, the current king back in 1949.

7th May (Monday) Coronation Day (non-working day).

4th June (Monday)Visakha Bucha Day.

This is one of the holiest days in the Thai calendar as it commemorates the birthday and life of Gautama Buddha.

2nd August (Thursday) Asanha Bucha Day.

This day commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon.

3rd August (Friday) Buddhist Lent Day.

Marks the start of the lent period and monks retreat to temples.

12th August (Sunday) H.M the Queen’s Birthday.

13th August (Monday) H.M the Queen’s Birthday (non-working day).

Celebrates the birthday of the queen and serves as Thailand’s Mother’s Day holiday.

23th October (Tuesday) Chulalongkorn Day.

Observes the anniversary of Thais most revered king, Rama the fifth.

5th December (Wednesday) H.M the Kings Birthday.

Celebrates the birthday of the king.

10th December (Monday) Constitution day.

Celebrates the anniversary of the attainment of the country’s first constitution back in 1932.

31st December (Monday) New Year’s Eve.

The last day of the year according to the western calendar