Public Holidays 2008

The Thai holiday calendar varies widely from the Western holiday calendar. As the country is Buddhist there is not a single Christian holiday, neither Easter nor Christmas. The only holidays that match the Western calendar are New Year Day and Labour Day. Although businesses (eg. airlines, banks and post offices) and government offices are closed on public holidays, tourist attractions and shops are almost never closed. When these holidays fall at a week-end, the holiday is generally taken on the following Monday.

Thailand has more holidays than most Western countries. These are easily categorized into two groups: religious holidays and those pertaining to the monarchy. Aside from the normal national holidays, there are also many regional holidays, mostly in context with local religious festivals.  There are ethnic holidays too, which are not of national ranking but nevertheless have the effect that many businesses are closed. The most important of these is the Chinese New Year in February. 

For a list of the holidays for 2008 :(see the attached calendar)