Thailand is the holiday hub of South East Asia. Many visitors from around the world goes to this land of smiles which offers a wide range of holiday experience for holiday goers. "The Land Of Smiles" has also many public holidays. Knowing them help you to plan your visit since during some of these holidays Thais will travel around and make everything, from plane tickets to hotel rooms, very expensive. Many of these holidays follow lunar calendar so their exact date will shift on the western calendar every year.
Below are the public holidays in Thailand and their dates in 2013.
New Year (Wan Khuen Pi Mai)
January 1st 2013
This almost global public holiday, observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar is a public holiday in Thailand.
Makha Bucha/Magha Puja
February 2nd 2013
Makha Bucha or Magha Puja is an important Buddhist festival celebrated in Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos on the full moon day of the third lunar month. This date usually falls in February of the modern western calendar. Makha Bucha Day is for the veneration of Buddha and his teachings on the full moon day of the third lunar month. On this day, Buddhists tend to go to the temple to perform merit-making activities.
In 2013, Makha Bucha falls on Sunday. In Thailand, if holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday they might be postponed to the following weekdays so expect a 3 days long weekend this year.
King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great Day (Wan Chakri)
April 6th 2013
Thais commemorate the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty and the founding of Bangkok by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke in 1782. Officially known as King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great Day and Chakri Dynasty Memorial Day.
In 2013, Wan Chakri is falls on Saturday so April 8th 2013 will be a 1 day holiday.
Thai New Year (Songkran)
April 13 - 16 2013
Prime holiday of the year, The Songkran Festival, is a major holiday period when many Thais return home for family reunions during this period. Although a nationwide holiday, the most famous Songkran Festival celebrations are in the northern city of Chiang Mai, where it continues for six days and even longer. The Festivaa is also a party for foreigners and one of the best times to to visit Thailand for immersion in its culture.
Labor Day (Wan Raeng Ngan Haeng Chat)
May 1st 2013
Labor Day is known as Wan Raeng Ngan Haeng Chat in Thailand and is a public holiday.
Coronation Day (Wan Chattra Mongkhon)
May 5th - 6th 2013
This holiday commemorates the coronation of the reigning King of Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1950.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day (Changing Dates)
May 11th 2013
Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient royal rite held in Cambodia and Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. Also observed as farmers day, each year's date is astrologically determined and announced by the Bureau of the Royal House Hold.
05/24/2013 Vesakh, Visakha Bucha
May 5th 2013
Also observed as National Tree Day, Vesak is a holy day which is traditionally observed not only in Thailand but by Buddhists in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, India, Nepal and the South East Asian countries of Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Sometimes informally called "Buddha's Birthday", it actually encompasses the birth, enlightenment (nirvāna), and death (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha.
Mid Year Day (Wan Yut Klang Pi Thanakhan)
July 1st 2013
Asanha Bucha, Asalha Puja, 1st Day of Lent
July 22nd 2013
Also known as Dhamma Day, Asanha Bucha is one of Theravada Buddhism’s most important festivals. This festive, commemorating the Buddha's first discourse (Buddha’s first sermon in which he set out to his five former associates the doctrine that had come to him following his enlightenment), the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, falls on full moon of 8th Thai lunar month. In 2013, the public holiday will be on July 22nd.
Vassa, Khao Phansa
July 23rd 2013
Buddhist observance marking the beginning of Vassa, also known as Buddhist Lent, is celebrated on the First waning moon, 8th Thai lunar month, which is July 23rd in 2013.
HM the Queen's Birthday, Mother's Day (Wan Chaloem Phra Chonmaphansa Somdet Phranang Chao Phra Boromma Rachininat)
August 12th 2013
This day is to commemorate the birthday of Queen Sirikit in 1932. It is also observed as National Mother's Day.
Chulalongkorn Day (Wan Piyamaharat)
October 10th 2013
This day commemorates the passing of King Chulalongkorn, one of the greatest kings of Siam, in 1910. Chulalongkorn managed to save Siam from being colonized and his reforms were dedicated to Siam’s insurance of survival in the midst of Western colonialism. For this reason Chulalongkorn earned the epithet Phra Piya Maharat (พระปิยมหาราช – The Great Beloved King).
Loi Krathong
November 18th 2013
Loi Krathong is probably the most beautiful and romantic festival in Thailand. Lotus-shaped receptacles (kratong) are decorated with flowers, candles and incense sticks and then floated (loi) in fresh water sources like rivers, lakes and ponds. At this day, people also release sky lanterns known in Thai as khom loi in large quantities to the sky.
HM the King's Birthday, Father's Day (Wan Chaloem Phra Chonmaphansa Phrabat Somdet Phra Chao Yuhua)
December 05th 2013
This day commemorates the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1927. It is also observed as National Day and National Father's Day.
Constitution Day (Wan Rattha Thammanun)
December 12th 2013
Commemorates the promulgation of the first permanent constitution in 1932
New Year's Eve (Wan Sin Pi)
December 31st 2013
Below are the public holidays in Thailand and their dates in 2013.
New Year (Wan Khuen Pi Mai)
January 1st 2013
This almost global public holiday, observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar is a public holiday in Thailand.
Makha Bucha/Magha Puja
February 2nd 2013
Makha Bucha or Magha Puja is an important Buddhist festival celebrated in Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos on the full moon day of the third lunar month. This date usually falls in February of the modern western calendar. Makha Bucha Day is for the veneration of Buddha and his teachings on the full moon day of the third lunar month. On this day, Buddhists tend to go to the temple to perform merit-making activities.
In 2013, Makha Bucha falls on Sunday. In Thailand, if holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday they might be postponed to the following weekdays so expect a 3 days long weekend this year.
King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great Day (Wan Chakri)
April 6th 2013
Thais commemorate the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty and the founding of Bangkok by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke in 1782. Officially known as King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great Day and Chakri Dynasty Memorial Day.
In 2013, Wan Chakri is falls on Saturday so April 8th 2013 will be a 1 day holiday.
Thai New Year (Songkran)
April 13 - 16 2013
Prime holiday of the year, The Songkran Festival, is a major holiday period when many Thais return home for family reunions during this period. Although a nationwide holiday, the most famous Songkran Festival celebrations are in the northern city of Chiang Mai, where it continues for six days and even longer. The Festivaa is also a party for foreigners and one of the best times to to visit Thailand for immersion in its culture.
Labor Day (Wan Raeng Ngan Haeng Chat)
May 1st 2013
Labor Day is known as Wan Raeng Ngan Haeng Chat in Thailand and is a public holiday.
Coronation Day (Wan Chattra Mongkhon)
May 5th - 6th 2013
This holiday commemorates the coronation of the reigning King of Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1950.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day (Changing Dates)
May 11th 2013
Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient royal rite held in Cambodia and Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. Also observed as farmers day, each year's date is astrologically determined and announced by the Bureau of the Royal House Hold.
05/24/2013 Vesakh, Visakha Bucha
May 5th 2013
Also observed as National Tree Day, Vesak is a holy day which is traditionally observed not only in Thailand but by Buddhists in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, India, Nepal and the South East Asian countries of Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Sometimes informally called "Buddha's Birthday", it actually encompasses the birth, enlightenment (nirvāna), and death (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha.
_1.jpg "Vesak Day in Thailand") |
| Vesak Day in Thailand |
July 1st 2013
Asanha Bucha, Asalha Puja, 1st Day of Lent
July 22nd 2013
Also known as Dhamma Day, Asanha Bucha is one of Theravada Buddhism’s most important festivals. This festive, commemorating the Buddha's first discourse (Buddha’s first sermon in which he set out to his five former associates the doctrine that had come to him following his enlightenment), the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, falls on full moon of 8th Thai lunar month. In 2013, the public holiday will be on July 22nd.
Vassa, Khao Phansa
July 23rd 2013
Buddhist observance marking the beginning of Vassa, also known as Buddhist Lent, is celebrated on the First waning moon, 8th Thai lunar month, which is July 23rd in 2013.
HM the Queen's Birthday, Mother's Day (Wan Chaloem Phra Chonmaphansa Somdet Phranang Chao Phra Boromma Rachininat)
August 12th 2013
This day is to commemorate the birthday of Queen Sirikit in 1932. It is also observed as National Mother's Day.
Chulalongkorn Day (Wan Piyamaharat)
October 10th 2013
This day commemorates the passing of King Chulalongkorn, one of the greatest kings of Siam, in 1910. Chulalongkorn managed to save Siam from being colonized and his reforms were dedicated to Siam’s insurance of survival in the midst of Western colonialism. For this reason Chulalongkorn earned the epithet Phra Piya Maharat (พระปิยมหาราช – The Great Beloved King).
Loi Krathong
November 18th 2013
Loi Krathong is probably the most beautiful and romantic festival in Thailand. Lotus-shaped receptacles (kratong) are decorated with flowers, candles and incense sticks and then floated (loi) in fresh water sources like rivers, lakes and ponds. At this day, people also release sky lanterns known in Thai as khom loi in large quantities to the sky.
HM the King's Birthday, Father's Day (Wan Chaloem Phra Chonmaphansa Phrabat Somdet Phra Chao Yuhua)
December 05th 2013
This day commemorates the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1927. It is also observed as National Day and National Father's Day.
Constitution Day (Wan Rattha Thammanun)
December 12th 2013
Commemorates the promulgation of the first permanent constitution in 1932
New Year's Eve (Wan Sin Pi)
December 31st 2013
Thanks for sharing Thailand Holidays 2013 Calendar.All person can easily get to all Thailand holidays information from your amazing post.
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