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Planning a trip to Thailand in 2026? Knowing the country’s public holidays helps UK travellers time their visit for the best atmosphere and avoid the busiest, priciest weeks. Thailand observes around 21 public holidays in 2026 — far more than the eight bank holidays we get in the UK — and many follow the lunar Buddhist calendar, so the dates shift each year. The headline event is Songkran, the Thai New Year water festival, which runs from Monday 13 to Wednesday 15 April 2026. Below you will find the full list, the long weekends worth planning around, and practical notes on what stays open when the country celebrates.
Public Holidays in Thailand 2026 — Full List
These are the national public holidays for 2026 (Buddhist Era 2569). Buddhist holy days follow the lunar calendar and can shift, while royal and national days are fixed. Where a holiday falls at the weekend, the government grants a substitute day (marked below).
| Date | Name (Thai) | Name (English) | Type | Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | วันขึ้นปีใหม่ | New Year’s Day | National | Thursday |
| 3 Mar | วันมาฆบูชา | Makha Bucha Day | Buddhist | Tuesday |
| 6 Apr | วันจักรี | Chakri Memorial Day | Royal | Monday |
| 13 Apr | วันสงกรานต์ | Songkran (Thai New Year) | National | Monday |
| 14 Apr | วันสงกรานต์ | Songkran | National | Tuesday |
| 15 Apr | วันสงกรานต์ | Songkran | National | Wednesday |
| 1 May | วันแรงงานแห่งชาติ | National Labour Day | National | Friday |
| 4 May | วันฉัตรมงคล | Coronation Day | Royal | Monday |
| 13 May* | วันพืชมงคล | Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day | Government offices only | Wednesday |
| 1 Jun | ชดเชยวันวิสาขบูชา | Visakha Bucha Day (in lieu of Sun 31 May) | Substitute / Buddhist | Monday |
| 3 Jun | วันเฉลิมฯ พระราชินี | HM Queen Suthida’s Birthday | Royal | Wednesday |
| 28 Jul | วันเฉลิมฯ ในหลวง ร.10 | HM King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday | Royal | Tuesday |
| 29 Jul | วันอาสาฬหบูชา | Asalha Bucha Day | Buddhist | Wednesday |
| 30 Jul | วันเข้าพรรษา | Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent Day) | Buddhist | Thursday |
| 12 Aug | วันแม่แห่งชาติ | HM Queen Sirikit’s Birthday / Mother’s Day | Royal / National | Wednesday |
| 13 Oct | วันคล้ายวันสวรรคต ร.9 | HM King Bhumibol Memorial Day | Royal | Tuesday |
| 23 Oct | วันปิยมหาราช | Chulalongkorn Memorial Day | Royal | Friday |
| 5 Dec | วันชาติ / วันพ่อแห่งชาติ | National Day / King Bhumibol’s Birthday / Father’s Day | National / Royal | Saturday |
| 7 Dec | ชดเชยวันชาติ | Substitute for National Day (Sat 5 Dec) | Substitute | Monday |
| 10 Dec | วันรัฐธรรมนูญ | Constitution Day | National | Thursday |
| 31 Dec | วันสิ้นปี | New Year’s Eve | National | Thursday |
*The Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day is a public holiday for government offices only (banks and the private sector stay open); the exact date is set annually by the Bureau of the Royal Household and is provisionally 13 May 2026. Financial institutions also observe an additional special bank holiday on Friday 2 January 2026.
Long Weekends in Thailand 2026
🎉 Best long weekends for a UK short break
Unlike UK bank holidays, which almost always land on a Monday, several Thai holidays create natural bridges:
- Songkran, 11–15 April: with the holiday running Monday to Wednesday, most Thais take the whole week off — effectively a five-day national break. This is the single busiest travel week of the year.
- Coronation Day weekend, 2–4 May: Monday 4 May follows the weekend for a tidy three-day break.
- Visakha Bucha, 30 May–1 June: the Monday 1 June substitute gives a three-day weekend.
- Asalha Bucha & Buddhist Lent, 29 July–2 August: Wednesday and Thursday holidays that many bridge into a long weekend.
- National Day, 5–7 December: Saturday’s holiday is observed on Monday 7 December, pairing with Constitution Day on 10 December for a holiday-heavy fortnight.
What’s Open and Closed on Public Holidays
Good news for visitors: Thailand’s tourism economy keeps running through most public holidays. Unlike much of Europe, where a bank holiday can shutter a town, Thailand’s shops, malls, markets, restaurants and attractions generally stay open — the celebrations are part of the appeal.
Banks and government offices close on public holidays, so sort out currency exchange and any official business beforehand. Shopping malls, convenience stores (7-Eleven), and street markets almost always trade as normal. Temples and major attractions stay open and are often at their most atmospheric on Buddhist holy days, though they can be crowded. Public transport — the Bangkok BTS Skytrain, MRT and airport links — runs on holiday or Sunday timetables, so allow extra time. Long-distance buses and trains sell out fast around Songkran and New Year.
💡 Travel tip: Alcohol sales are legally suspended nationwide on the main Buddhist holy days — Makha Bucha (3 March), Visakha Bucha (31 May/1 June), Asalha Bucha (29 July) and Khao Phansa (30 July). Bars and shops stop selling, and some venues close entirely. If you enjoy a drink with dinner, plan around these dates or buy in advance where permitted.
How Thailand’s Public Holidays Compare with UK Bank Holidays
The contrast is striking. The UK has just eight bank holidays a year (in England and Wales), all secular and clustered around Christmas, Easter and early-summer Mondays. Thailand has around 21, blending Buddhist holy days, royal birthdays and national anniversaries. See our full list of UK bank holidays for the home comparison, and our guide to long weekends in 2026 for planning breaks from home.
| Feature | United Kingdom | Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Number per year | 8 (England & Wales) | ~21 |
| Religious basis | Mostly secular | Several Buddhist holy days |
| Weekend substitute day | Yes (moved to Monday) | Yes (substitute granted) |
| Biggest holiday | Christmas | Songkran (Thai New Year) |
| Shops open? | Reduced hours | Usually open as normal |
Key Cultural Holidays Explained
Songkran (13–15 April) is Thailand’s most important festival and the traditional Thai New Year. Historically a gentle ritual of pouring scented water over the hands of elders and Buddha images to mark renewal, it has grown into a nationwide, good-natured water fight — expect super-soakers and buckets on every street in Chiang Mai, Bangkok’s Silom Road and beach towns. It is joyful but wet: protect your phone and passport in a waterproof pouch. Roads are at their most dangerous during the “seven dangerous days” of Songkran, so take extra care if travelling.
The Buddhist holy days — Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha and Asalha Bucha — are quieter, reflective occasions. In the evening, Thais bring flowers, incense and candles to their local temple for a wian tian candlelit procession three times around the main hall. Visitors are welcome to observe respectfully. These are alcohol-free days by law.
💭 Did you know? Thailand counts its years using the Buddhist Era (BE), which runs 543 years ahead of the Western calendar — so 2026 is the year 2569 in Thailand. You will see BE dates on official documents, temple signs and even some shop receipts.
Note that Loy Krathong and the Yi Peng lantern festival (around the November full moon — 24 November in 2026) are among Thailand’s most beautiful celebrations, but they are not public holidays, so banks and offices stay open.
Planning Your Trip Around Public Holidays
Timing makes a real difference. Songkran (mid-April) is unforgettable but the busiest and most expensive week to fly and stay — book flights and hotels months ahead, or deliberately avoid it if you would rather not be soaked. The New Year period (late December to early January) is Thailand’s other peak, coinciding with the UK winter-sun exodus. For lower prices, thinner crowds and reliable weather, the shoulder weeks either side of these holidays are ideal. If you want the festival atmosphere without the peak crush, Chiang Mai and the smaller islands are calmer than Bangkok during Songkran.
Because domestic flights, trains and buses fill up fast around every long weekend, lock in internal travel early. Compare fares from the UK on Skyscanner, and book skip-the-line entry for the Grand Palace, temples and day trips through Tiqets to save queueing on busy holiday dates. Many UK travellers route through the Gulf — see our guide to public holidays in the UAE if you are planning a Dubai stopover on the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Songkran in 2026?
Songkran, the Thai New Year, is a public holiday from Monday 13 to Wednesday 15 April 2026. Many Thais take the surrounding days off, making it effectively a week-long national break.
How many public holidays does Thailand have in 2026?
Thailand has around 21 national public holidays in 2026, including three Songkran days and two substitute days. Banks observe a slightly different list (including an extra bank holiday on 2 January), while government offices also close for the Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day.
Are shops open on public holidays in Thailand?
Yes. Shopping malls, convenience stores, markets and restaurants generally stay open as normal on public holidays. Banks and government offices close, and alcohol sales are suspended on the main Buddhist holy days.
What is the biggest holiday in Thailand?
Songkran, the Thai New Year water festival in April, is the biggest and most widely celebrated holiday, followed by the December New Year period.
Do banks close on public holidays?
Yes, Thai banks close on public holidays. Bank branches inside major shopping malls sometimes keep limited hours, but it is safest to handle currency exchange and transfers beforehand.
Is public transport reduced on holidays?
Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain and MRT typically run on a Sunday or holiday timetable with reduced frequency. Long-distance trains and buses sell out well ahead of Songkran and New Year, so book early.
Why are some holidays “alcohol-free”?
On the major Buddhist holy days — Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asalha Bucha and Khao Phansa — the sale of alcohol is prohibited nationwide by law, out of respect for the religious observance.
Do Thai public holidays fall on the same dates every year?
The royal and national days are fixed, but the Buddhist holy days follow the lunar calendar and shift each year. Always check the current year’s dates before you travel.
Sources & Last Verified
This guide was compiled and cross-checked against multiple sources:
- Bank of Thailand — Financial Institutions Holidays 2026
- Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Official Public Holidays 2026 (BE 2569)
- Cross-referenced with the Python
holidayslibrary and UK-facing calendars (timeanddate.com, officeholidays.com)
Last verified: 1 July 2026 · Author: Bank Holidays UK Editorial Team