Considering the Thailand holidays of 2012 will ensure that both government and bank workers will be guaranteed with at least 15 holidays during the year. It is important to note that during these days, no one will be able to get in contact with government services. For banking, branches that are located inside shopping malls normally remain open during the holidays and disruption of ATM services should not be expected. Even the foreign exchange booths remain open during these dates.

Many Thailand holidays of 2012 are colorful including those that fall under the classification of the Buddhist religion. Many of the public holidays are usually celebrated on the same day yearly, especially those that relate to the monarchy or the constitution. Holidays that fall on weekends are shifted to the following Monday of the week, while religious holidays are placed based on the Thai lunar calendar. With a bit of advanced notice, the government can grant extra days during the following holidays:


• New Year’s Day (January 3, 2012)

This date is actually a substitution date for the New Year’s Day, which based on the Thailand holidays of 2012 falls on a Sunday with New Year’s Eve falling on a Saturday. This creates a long and extremely fun-filled weekend celebration.

• Chinese New Year (January 23, 2012)

This is a special celebration that is observed by various Thai people who have Chinese descent and also marks a special day for business owners of Chinese ancestry.

• Songkran (Thai New Year) – Water Festival (April 13 to 17, 2012)

This famous, or sometimes infamous, celebration is marked by the splashing of water of virtually anyone. Sometimes even high pressure water sprayers are used by participants that range from children up to grandparents. This festivity normally goes on for three days, which begins with an informal celebration about a day or two before the actual date.This is one of the Thailand holidays of 2012 where accommodation and transportation may be scarce during its entirety. Because this year the Songkran falls on a weekend, substitute public holidays are held the following Monday and Tuesday.

Songkran (Thai New Year)

Songkran (Thai New Year)


• Labor day (May 1, 2012)

Although some government offices, banks, and businesses may be closed during this day, not much fuss or celebration is done during this holiday.

• Coronation Day (May 5, 2012)

This celebration marks the coronation of the most revered and long serving monarchs, His Majesty King Bhumipol of Thailand. It is an extremely important date for many Thais who love their King.

• Royal Ploughing Ceremony (To Be Announced)

This is one of the Thailand holidays of 2012 where the actual date will still be announced with the best guess being May 10, 2012. This celebration is commonly held at the Sanam Luang in Bangkok. Aside from government offices, schools across Thailand remain closed during the holiday. The royal astrologers are mainly responsible for determining the specific date of the celebration, which normally falls on the early part of May.

• Royal Festival – Isaan (Weekends of Mid-May)

Normally falls on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of mid-May, the festival has been a historical part of the traditions in Northeastern Thailand and has been part of the festival calendar for a number of decades. Drawing on the ancient rain festivals of Isaan in previous centuries, the most prominent celebration happens in Yasathon where it has been celebrated since 1972.

• Phi Ta Khon – Ghost Festival (6th or 7th Lunar Month)

Another one of the Thai holidays that does not have a fixed date, the exact day of celebration is determined by mediums and is normally placed anywhere from March to July of the current year. As part of the Bun Luang, the Ghost Festival is commemorated as a three-day event that is held at Dan Sai in the province of Loel in Isaan. The date can vary significantly, but will always be between the months of March to July.

• Inthakin City Pillar Festival (To Be Declared)

This is a significant celebration observed yearly in Chang Mai, Thailand. It is marked with a six-day celebration.

• The King’s Birthday (June 4, 2012)

The main theme of this celebration is the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. It is held during the full moon of the sixth month based on the Thai Lunar Calendar.

The King’s Birthday

The King’s Birthday

• Hungry Ghost Festival (Mid to Late August)

The Chinese communities, in Phuket, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai are the main celebrants of the Hungry Ghost Festival, which is commonly celebrated on the full moon of the seventh lunar month based on the Chinese lunar calendar.

• Pu Sae Ya Sae Festival (May or June)

Those who have faint heart or are squeamish should be forewarned because of the macabre nature of this component of the Chiang Mai festival. It is commonly held during the full moon of the seventh lunar month and falls anywhere between May and June.

• Asana Bucha and Wan Khao Pansa (August 2 to 3, 2012)

The Asana Bucha normally takes place during the first day of the rains retreats marked by the return of the monks to their temples. It is usually held on the eight lunar month during the full moon. The Wan Khao Pansa is celebrated the following day and marks the start of the Buddhist lent. Public holiday may be declared the following Monday with land transportation being extremely busy during the weekend.

• The Queen’s Birthday (August 13, 2012)

This marks the birth of Her Majesty Queen Sikrit and is likewise declared as Mother’s Day in Thailand. As a Thai public holiday, many families dine out and shop during this celebration. The actual birthday is on August 12, and is substituted with this date because it falls on a Sunday.

• Mid-Autumn (Moon) Festival (September 30, 2012)

Also referred to as Moon Festival, it is observed in many large Chinese communities in Thailand. Moon Cakes are commonly in abundance during this celebration.

• Vegetarian Festival (October 14 to 23, 2012)

This festival officially begins with the new moon on October 15 with some events starting even a day before.• Naga Fireball Festival (October 29 to 30, 2012)This is a two-day celebration held in Nong Khai, Thailand.

• Wan Awk Pansa (October 30, 2012)

The festivity refers to the end of the rains retreat and held during the first day of the eleventh lunar month during the waning moon.

• Chulalongkorn Day (October 23, 2012)

Celebrating the efforts of the modernizing monarch, the much reverend King Chulalongkorn, to save Thailand from the domination of Europe, he is honored during this day and widely recognized by the placement of his picture next to the present royal family in many shops.

• Loy Krathong (November 28, 2012)

This is the renowned and beautiful festival of light where incense and candle offerings known as Krathong are floated down the rivers or held in small hot air balloons (Khom Loy). Although not an official public holiday, is it well noted across Thailand.

• The King’s Birthday (December 5, 2012)

Celebration of the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumipol, it is likewise declared as Father’s Day in Thailand.by dorinsb under CC BY Chang Mai Flower Festival

• Constitution Day (December 20, 2012)

This celebration marks the adoption of the constitutional monarchy in the country in 1932.

• Christmas Day (December 25, 2012)

Not declared as an official holiday in Thailand, but many signs of the seasons can be seen like Christmas trees and decorations all over the Kingdom. This is also one of the highest influx of tourists.

• New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2012)

Both New Year’s Eve is considered the last of the public Thailand holidays of 2012.

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