Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Holidays
There are three New Year holidays celebrated in Thailand. The international and solar new
year from December 31st to January 1st is commemorated with large parties and other fest-
ivities just like in the rest of the world. Due to the Chinese influence the Chinese New Year
is also widely celebrated for more than two weeks though the main event lasts three days. It
usually falls in early to mid February. The Thai New Year is called Songkran and it is cel-
ebrated from April 13 to April 15 every year. It marks the change from the dry season to the
hot season so celebrations involve throwing water and using squirt guns on everyone.
There are other public holidays during the year including celebrations for the king's birthday
and his coronation, a Father's Day and a Mother's Day. There are also a few religious holi-
days that are celebrated by people who observe those religions like the month of Ramadan
when Muslims fast during the day and Buddhist holidays on the full moon of certain sum-
mer months.
