Thailand has adopted the western calendar to divide the year into days, weeks and months, using Thai names for these units. Years are numbered according to the Buddhist era (BE) which commenced 543 years before the Christian era. Therefore 2007 AD is BE 2550 and 2008 is BE 2551. Thailand's national public holidays are linked to religious or agricultural traditions and follow the lunar calendar, therefore the dates for some of the holidays change each year. The following are national public holidays in Thailand:
| 01 January 2009 (Thursday) |
New Year's Day
The beginning of the western new year is a national holiday in Thaland, one of three "new year" holidays celebrated every year.
National Holiday |
| 09 February 2009 (Monday) |
Makha Bucha
Makha Bucha celebrates the Buddha's first sermon in to his disciples.
National Holiday |
| 06 April 2009 (Monday) |
Chakri Day
Chakri Day commeorates the founding of the current dynasty, Rama I.
National Holiday |
| 01 July 2009 (Wednesday) |
Bank's Mid-year Day
Bank Holiday |
| 13 April 2009 (Monday) |
Songkran
Songkran is the traditional Thai new year, generally celebrated as a water festival.
National Holiday |
| 14 April 2009 (Tuesday) |
Songkran
Second day of this three-day holiday.
National Holiday |
| 15 April 2009 (Wednesday) |
Songkran
Third of the three days of Songkran.
National Holiday |
| 01 May 2009 (Friday) |
Labour Day
International labour day is celebrated as a national holiday, even though there isn't much ado about it
National Holiday |
| 05 May 2009 (Tuesday) |
Coronation Day
Celebrates the day in 1949 when the current king was crowned.
National Holiday |
| 08 May 2009 (Friday) |
Visakha Bucha
The holiest Buddhist holiday celebrates the birth, enlightenment and entry into nirvana of the Buddha.
National Holiday |
| 12 August 2009 (Wednesday) |
Queen's Birthday
Her Majesty the Queen's birthday is a national holiday, also serving as the country's Mothers Day as well.
National Holiday |
| 07 July 2009 (Tuesday) |
Asarnha Bucha Day
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.
National Holiday |
| 08 August 2009 (Wednesday) |
Khao Phansa, Buddhist Lent
National Holiday |
| 23 October 2008 (Friday) |
Chulalongkorn Day
Celebrates the birthday of one of Thailand's most revered kings.
National Holiday |
05 December 2009 (Saturday) |
King's Birthday
His Majesty the King's birthday is celebrated throughout the country and also serves as the nation's Fathers Day.
National Holiday |
10 December 2009 (Thursday) |
Constitution Day
December 10th celebrates the date in 1932 when the country was granted its first constitution.
National Holiday |
31 December 2009 (Thursday) |
New Year's Eve
The day before the western new year day is always a national holiday.
National Holiday |
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