Thailand Holidays 2022: What Holidays does Thailand Celebrate?

Thinking of spending your vacation somewhere warm? Thailand's tropical weather, beautiful beaches, and relatively cheap cost of living make it an attractive destination. Make sure you know what holidays are happening in 2022 before you go.

Thailand Holidays 2022 Overview

Many tourists from all over the world are drawn to Thailand as a vacation destination. If you're curious about Thai people and their culture, then a fantastic way to experience it all firsthand is to visit for one of the Thai holidays in 2022.

This country has a total of 16 national holidays. In the first quarter of the year, you have New Year's Day on January 1 and Makha Bucha on February 16.

Then, most of the holidays fall in the second quarter of the year. They include Chakri Day on April 6, Songkran on April 13, Labor Day on May 1, Coronation Day on May 4, Royal Ploughing Ceremony on May 13, Visakha Bucha on May 15, and Queen Suthida's Birthday on June 3.

In the third quarter, you have Asalha Bucha on July 13, King Vajiralongkorn's Birthday on July 28, and The Queen's Birthday on August 12.

Lastly, you have the Anniversary of the Death of King Bhumibol on October 13, Chulalongkorn Day on October 23, King Bhumibol's Birthday/Father's Day on December 5, and Constitution Day on December 10.

Thailand Holidays 2022 — New Year's Day

Date: January 1, 2022

Day of the Week: Saturday

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.

Thailand Holidays 2022 — Makha Bucha

Date: February 16, 2022

Day of the Week: Wednesday

Makha Bucha 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.

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

Thailand Holidays 2022 — Chakri Day

Date: April 6, 2022

Day of the Week: Wednesday

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.

Thailand Holidays 2022 — Songkran

Date: April 13, 2022

Day of the Week: Wednesday

Songkran marks the start of Thai New Year and is probably the biggest holiday in Thailand. This holiday lasts 3 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.

Thailand Holidays 2022 — Labor Day

Date: May 1, 2022

Day of the Week: Sunday

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.

Because Labor Day falls on a Sunday in 2022, Thais get Monday off of work. Do note that the off day is for private workers only, not government ones.

Thailand Holidays 2022 — Coronation Day

Date: May 4, 2022

Day of the Week: Wednesday

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.

Thailand Holidays 2022 — Royal Ploughing Ceremony

Date: May 13, 2022

Day of the Week: Friday

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.

Thailand Holidays 2022 — Visakha Bucha

Date: May 15, 2022

Day of the Week: Sunday

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.

Thailand Holidays 2022 — Queen Suthida's Birthday

Date: June 3, 2022

Day of the Week: Friday

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.

Thailand Holidays 2022 — Asalha Bucha

Date: July 13, 2022

Day of the Week: Wednesday

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.

Thailand Holidays 2022 — King Vajiralongkorn's Birthday

Date: July 28, 2022

Day of the Week: Thursday

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.

Thailand Holidays 2022 — The Queen's Birthday

Date: August 12, 2022

Day of the Week: Friday

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.

Thailand Holidays 2022 — Anniversary of the Death of King Bhumibol

Date: October 13, 2022

Day of the Week: Thursday

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.

Thailand Holidays 2022 — Chulalongkorn Day

Date: October 23, 2022

Day of the Week: Sunday

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.

Thailand Holidays 2022 — King Bhumibol's Birthday/Father's Day

Date: December 5, 2022

Day of the Week: Monday

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.

Thailand Holidays 2022 — Constitution Day

Date: December 10, 2022

Day of the Week: Saturday

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.