Thailand public holidays in the Year of the Rabbit 2023

Thailand conjures up images of mysterious temples, golden beaches with swaying palms, lovely elephants and of course, delicious food. Thailand has already eased travel restrictions and quarantine requirements to allow international tourists to enter the country. The country has a total of 16 national holidays. The list of public holidays in Thailand below will help you maximize your vacations in 2023.

All you need to know before you go: Thailand Entry Requirements For International Travellers

New Year's Day marks a new beginning, so those who live away from their families will travel home to their hometowns on New Year's Eve (December 31) to visit their loved ones. To celebrate, they'll hold musical concerts and parties, as well as set off fireworks.

It's also common for Thais to visit local temples to pay respects to the monks.

Makha Bucha Day is a Buddhist holiday that honors two important events: first, when 1,250 followers of Buddha visited him on this day, without planning, and second, when he reached Nirvana years later. In 2023, the holiday falls on March 6 (Monday).

This is a sacred day where Thais visit temples to take part in rites. They'll also meditate and refrain from drinking alcohol.

Chakri Day commemorates the founding of the Chakri royal dynasty in 1782. It's a day for Thais to reflect and remember all the Chakri kings they've had.

On Chakri Day, the royal family holds special services at the Royal Chapel and visits the Royal Pantheon to honor previous Chakri kings.

Songkran marks the start of Thai New Year and is probably the biggest holiday in Thailand. This holiday lasts 4 days, from April 13 to April 16.

Thais wash away the negativity from the previous year by pouring water. This comes in the form of street water fights, which stir up fun competition as people squirt each other with water guns and pelt one another with water balloons. Thais will also pour water over statues of Buddha.

Businesses are closed during Songkran. This allows people to go home and visit their loved ones.

Labor Day is a holiday that acknowledges and thanks the Thai people for their hard work. It's a day for workers to take a day off and relax. Do note that the off day is for private workers only, not government ones.

This holiday has roots in the labor union movement and in the struggle for workers rights internationally. In Thailand, it is an opportunity to recognize the contribution of workers to the nation’s economy.

Coronation Day honors the day that the reigning king was crowned. In 2016, King Vajiralongkorn rose to the throne after his father passed away.

Thais celebrate this day by visiting the Grand Palace, which is in Bangkok.

In Thailand, it's tradition to plant rice as a symbolic gesture. This is supposed to bring a good rice harvest later on.

Monks come and bless the ceremony, which is held in Sanam Luang. Sacred oxen plow the rice and are given food to eat. Astrologers then predict whether or not the harvest will be good or not based on what kind of food the oxen chose.

While government workers don't get a day off on Labor Day, they do for the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. Normal private sector employees still go to work.

Visakha Bucha celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. Devout Thais will go to the temple on this day for rituals and sermons.

Alcohol sales are prohibited during Visakha Bucha, so the majority of bars are closed on this day.

Every year, the people of Thailand celebrate their queen's birthday by decorating both public and private buildings. It's most festive in Bangkok, so travel there on this day if you want to see a spectacular display.

Asalha Bucha celebrates the Four Noble Truths by Buddha and is one of the most important holidays in Thailand.

For Asalha Bucha, Thais will go to the temple and leave gifts for the monks. They'll also hold processions around the temples with lit candles and incense. Some young men might even become monks on this momentous day.

This national holiday honors the king's birthday. Visit the temples to see some special events. Some release birds or turtles, as this is said to bring good luck.

This holiday is also known as National Mother's Day. This isn't the actual queen's birthday, but rather, the queen mother's.

Across the country, the flag of Thailand will fly across both public buildings and homes. On Ratchadamnern Avenue, Bangkok, you'll get to enjoy a festival.

This holiday doubles as Mother's Day for Thais. Children will give their mothers small gifts.

King Bhumibol was the father of King Vajiralongkorn. He ruled for 70 years and was so loved that he became known as the Father of the Nation.

Today, Thais honor his memory every year on October 13, the date he passed away in 2016.

King Chulalongkorn was a sovereign that brought about many revolutionary changes in the 20th century. Because of this, people today still honor and celebrate him on October 23, the day he passed.

Thais get a day off of work on this national holiday.

On King Bhumibol's Birthday, Thais will decorate their homes and public spaces with lights. They'll also hold candle lighting ceremonies and set off fireworks to honor the deceased king.

Like The Queen's Birthday, King Bhumibol's Birthday doubles as Thailand's Father's Day.

Most government offices and banks are closed on this holiday.

Constitution Day commemorates the day when the country adopted its first permanent constitution in 1932.

Because King Bhumibol's Birthday is just a few days before Constitution Day, it's not uncommon for Thais to take off the entire week to celebrate both holidays properly. They'll display pictures of various Thai kings, hold parades, and set off fireworks during the day.

All government offices and schools are closed on Constitution Day.

Notes: Chinese New Year, Christmas Day and End of Ramadan are observed in Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Satun provinces only.