Thailand Holidays - 2003

New Year's Day is the first day of the year. On the modern Gregorian calendar, it is celebrated on January 1.

Makha Bucha is an important religious festival celebrated by Buddhists in Thailand on the full moon day of the third lunar month (this usually falls in February). Makha Bucha Day is for the veneration of Buddha and his teachings on the full moon day of the third lunar month.The spiritual aims of the day are: not to commit any kind of sins; do only good; purify one's mind.

Chakri Day commemorates the founding of the Chakri Dynasty in 1782 by King Rama I, known among Thais as Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great who assumed power on April 6. During the day, the nation pays respects to all of the Kings of the Dynasty.

The Songkran festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year's Day from 13 to 15 April. Families and friends gather to celebrate by visiting temples, sprinkling water on Buddha images in reverence, and sprinkling water on each other's hands as an act of wishing good luck. The word Songkran is from the Sanskrit meaning the beginning of a new Solar Year, but nowadays Thailand celebrates the New Year on 31 December.

International Labor Day is also celebrated as a national holidayin Thialand.

Commemorates the coronation of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1950. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned as Rama IX, the 9th king of the Chakri dynasty, on 5th May 1950.

Buddhist observance commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha.Also observed as National Tree Day. It falls on the full moon of the 6th lunar month.

Asalha Puja (known as Asanha Puja or Asarnha Bucha) is a buddhist festival which typically takes place in July, on the full moon of the eighth lunar month. It commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon in the Deer Park in Benares and the founding of the Buddhist sangha. The day is observed by donating offerings to temples and listening to sermons.

This day marks the beginning of the Buddhist ‘lent’ period, a time when monks are supposed to retreat to their temples while new life springs forth. Known as "Khao Phansa", the Buddhist Lent is a time devoted to study and meditation.

Commemorates the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen Sirikit in 1932; also observed as National Mother's Day (Wan Mae Haeng Chat).

Commemorates the passing of King Chulalongkorn in 1910. Piya Maharat is a nickname for the King, meaning the beloved great king.

Commemorates the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1927. Also observed as National Day and National Father's Day.

Commemorates the promulgation of the first permanent constitution in 1932.

Final day of the Gregorian year. The day before the Western New Year day is always marked a national holiday.