Public Holidays in Thailand - National Observances

National Observances

These observances are regulated by the government, but are not observed as holidays. Actual observance varies, and some are only observed by specific sectors.

Date Observance Local name Remarks
2nd Saturday of January National Children's Day วันเด็กแห่งชาติ (Wan Dek Haeng Chat) Widely celebrated, especially by governmental agencies, with many activities for children. Observed on this day since 1965; was observed on the first Monday of October from 1955–1964.
14 January National Forest Conservation Day วันอนุรักษ์ทรัพยากรป่าไม้ของชาติ (Wan Anurak Sappayakon Pa Mai Khong Chat) Observance promoting the conservation of the nation's forests and the work against deforestation.
16 January Teachers' Day วันครู (Wan Khru) Honours teachers countrywide. Schools may observe this day as a holiday, especially those under the authority of the Office of the Basic Education Commission. Observed since 1957.
18 January Royal Thai Armed Forces Day วันกองทัพไทย (Wan Kong Thap Thai) Commemorates King Naresuan's victorious elephant duel against the Burmese Uparaja, calculated to be in 1593. Observed on this date since 2007 (on 25 Jan, before that).
2 February Inventor's Day วันนักประดิษฐ์ (Wan Nak Pradit) Commemorates the patent registration of King Bhumibol's Chai Phatthana paddle wheel aerator in 1993. Observed since 1995.
3 February Veterans' Day วันทหารผ่านศึก (Wan Thahan Phan Suek) Commemorates the founding of the War Veterans Organization of Thailand. Remembrance ceremonies are held at Victory Monument.
24 February National Artist Day วันศิลปินแห่งชาติ (Wan Sinlapin Haeng Chat) National Artists are honoured on this day, which commemorates King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai's birth.
31 March King Nangklao Memorial Day วันที่ระลึกพระบาทสมเด็จพระนั่งเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัวฯ (Wan Thi Raluek Phra Bat Somdet Phra Nangklao Chao Yuhua) Commemorates the birthday of King Nangklao; observed since 1998.
1 April Civil Service Day วันข้าราชการพลเรือน (Wan Kha Ratchakan Phonlaruean) Commemorates the enactment of the first Civil Service Act in 1928; observed since 1979.
2 April Thai Heritage Conservation Day วันอนุรักษ์มรดกไทย (Wan Anurak Moradok Thai) Commemorates the birthday of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn; observed since 1995.
30 April Consumer Protection Day วันคุ้มครองผู้บริโภค (Wan Khumkhrong Phu Borophok) Observed since 1980.
1 May National Labour Day วันแรงงานแห่งชาติ (Wan Raeng Ngan Haeng Chat) Coincides with International Workers' Day. Observed as a holiday by most of the private sector.
26 June Sunthorn Phu Day วันสุนทรภู่ (Wan Sunthon Phu) Commemorates the birth of Sunthorn Phu in 1786.
29 July National Thai Language Day วันภาษาไทยแห่งชาติ (Wan Phasa Thai Haeng Chat)
18 August National Science Day วันวิทยาศาสตร์แห่งชาติ (Wan Witthayasat Haeng Chat) Commemorates King Mongkut's prediction and observation of a total solar eclipse in 1868.
20 September National Youth Day วันเยาวชนแห่งชาติ (Wan Yaowachon Haeng Chat) Commemorates the birth dates of Kings Chulalongkorn and Ananda Mahidol.
24 September Mahidol Day วันมหิดล (Wan Mahidon) Commemorates the passing of Prince Father Mahidol Adulyadej, the "Father of Thai Modern Medicine".
13 October National Police Day วันตำรวจ (Wan Tamruat)
21 October National Nurses' Day วันพยาบาลแห่งชาติ (Wan Phayaban Haeng Chat) Commemorates the birth of Princess Srinagarindra the Princess Mother.
25 November Vajiravudh Day วันวชิราวุธ (Wan Wachirawut) Commemorates the passing of King Vajiravudh in 1925.
1 December Damrong Rajanubhab Day วันดำรงราชานุภาพ (Wan Damrong Rachanuphap) Commemorates the passing of Prince Damrong Rajanubhab. Observed since 2001.
4 December Thai Environment Day วันสิ่งแวดล้อมไทย (Wan Singwaetlom Thai) Observed since 1991.
16 December National Sports Day วันกีฬาแห่งชาติ (Wan Kila Haeng Chat) Commemorates King Bhumibol's gold medal in sailing at the 1967 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games. Observed since 1986.
28 December King Taksin Memorial Day วันสมเด็จพระเจ้าตากสินมหาราช (Wan Somdet Phra Chao Taksin Maharat) Commemorates the accession of King Taksin in 1768.

Read more about this topic:  Public Holidays In Thailand

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