When planning your trip, you should be aware of the major national holidays celebrated throughout the country, although businesses and government offices are closed on public holidays, tourist attractions and shops almost never close, the main impact on the public holidays is the increased competition for travel and accommodation from Thais who use the long weekends to get away from the big city.

It's also worth noting, Thai people love to party many of their celebrations go on for two or three days after the official date, take Songkran (Thai New Year) different districts of a city will hold the main event on different days turning the three days celebrations into six or seven days.

The list below shows all of the public holidays as well as some of the more important nationwide celebrations that are not national holidays, most of Thailands public holidays and celebrations are based on the lunar calendar, therefore they will occur on different days from year to year.

*Please Note:

Most of the important holidays on the Thai calendar are based on the lunar calendar therefore will occur on different days from year to year, dates for these holidays in 2008 are calculated estimates and may be subject to correction.

1st January 2008: New Years Day.

The beginning of the western new year is a national holiday in Thailand, one of three (new year) holidays celebrated every year.

8th February 2008* Chinese New Year.

The beginning of the Chinese lunar year is celebrated in the Chinatowns of every city throughout Thailand. Some businesses close for the day, but it is not a national holiday.

17th February 2008: Magha Bucha Day.

Celebrates the Buddha's first sermon in to his disciples. National Holiday.

6th April 2008: Chakri Day.

Commemorates the founding of the current dynasty, Rama I. National Holiday.

13th - 15th April 2008: Songkran (Thai New Year)

Songkran is the traditional Thai new year, generally celebrated as a water festival, National Holiday.

1st May 2008: Labor Day.

International labor day is celebrated as a national holiday.

5th May 2008: Coronation Day.

Celebrates the day in 1949 when the current king was crowned, National Holiday.

23rd May 2008* Visakha Bucha.

The holiest Buddhist holiday celebrates the birth, enlightenment and entry into nirvana of the Buddha. National Holiday.

1st July 2008: Mid Year Bank Holiday.

22nd July 2008* Khao Phansa Day (Buddhist Lent)

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.

12th August 2008: HM The Queens Birthday.

Her Majesty the Queens birthday is a national holiday, also serving as the country's Mothers Day as well.

23rd October 2008: Chulalongkorn Day.

Celebrates the birthday of one of Thailand's most revered kings.

13th November 2008: Loy Kratong.

Not a national holiday, but an evening when Thais pay respect to the goddess of the waters by floating candlelit offerings on all the waterways around the kingdom.

5th December 2008: HM The Kings Birthday.

His Majesty the Kings birthday is celebrated throughout the country and also serves as the nations Fathers Day.

10th December 2008: Constitution Day.

The date in 1932 when the country was granted its first constitution.

31st December 2008: New Years Eve.

The day before the western new year day is always a national holiday.