Public Holidays and
Bar Closures in Thailand

 

 
 

 

Legends

Likelihood of Mandated Bar Closure

There is no history of mandated bar closure on this day.  

There is no history of mandated bar closure on this day

Unlikely, but bar closure may have happened before.  

Unlikely, but bar closure may have happened before

Usually a mandatory bar closure on this day, but not always.  

Usually a mandatory bar closure on this day, but not always

Historically always mandatory bar closure (or no alcohol allowed) on this day.  

Historically always mandatory bar closure
(or no alcohol allowed) on this day

 

Actual Status

No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

No bar closure mandated

Insufficient data available concerning mandated bar closure

Mixed rulings (some closures)

Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region)

Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed

Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region). Hold cursor over icon to view the comments.

Bar closure mandated with some comments. Hold cursor over icon.

Actual mandates may vary between different Thai jurisdictions.
In addition to the days listed bars are often mandated to close on certain local and national election days.
 

Name of Thai Holiday and Description

Mandated Bar Closure
Likelihood or Actual
2012

2011

2010

2009

2008
New Year's Day

Date based on western (Gregorian) calendar. This event occurs on the same calendar day every year.

The beginning of the western New Year is a national holiday in Thailand, one of three "new year" holidays celebrated every year.
1 Jan: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 1 Jan: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 1 Jan: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 1 Jan: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 1 Jan: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

Chinese New Year

Date based on lunar calendar. The actual date changes every year.

The beginning of the Chinese lunar year is celebrated in the Chinatowns of every city throughout Thailand. Some businesses close for the day, but it is not a national holiday.
23 Jan: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 3 Feb: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

14 Feb: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

Makha Bucha

Date based on lunar calendar. The actual date changes every year.

Makha Bucha celebrates the Buddha's first sermon in to his disciples.
07 Mar: Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region) 18 Feb: Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region) 1 Mar: Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region) Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region) Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region)

Chakri Day

Date based on western (Gregorian) calendar. This event occurs on the same calendar day every year.

Chakri Day commemorates the founding of the current dynasty by its first king, Rama I.
6 Apr: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 6 Apr: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 6 Apr: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 6 Apr: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 6 Apr: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

Songkran

Date based on western (Gregorian) calendar. This event occurs on the same calendar day every year.

Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year, generally celebrated as a water festival. Be prepared to get wet all over as revelers abound, ready to soak you as a form of celebrating this season!

13-15 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

 13-15 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 13-15 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 13-15 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 13-15 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

Thailand Labor Day

Date based on western (Gregorian) calendar. This event occurs on the same calendar day every year.

International Labor Day is also celebrated as a national holiday, even though there isn't much ado about it. Some businesses may be closed.

1 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

 1 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 1 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 1 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 1 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

Coronation Day

Date based on western (Gregorian) calendar. This event occurs on the same calendar day every year.

Celebrates the day when the current king Rama IX was crowned in 1949.

5 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

5 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

 5 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 5 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 5 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

Royal Ploughing Ceremony

Date based on western (Gregorian) calendar. This event occurs on the same calendar day every year.

An ancient royal rite held in Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season

10 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

10 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

10 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

10 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

10 May: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

Visakha Bucha / Vesak Day

Date based on lunar calendar. The actual date changes every year.

The holiest Buddhist holiday celebrates the birth, enlightenment and entry into nirvana of the Buddha.
Historically always mandatory bar closure (or no alcohol allowed) on this day
04 JUN		 17 May: Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region) 28 May: Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region) Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region) Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region)

Asalha Puja Day

Date based on lunar calendar. The actual date changes every year.

Commemorates the Buddha's first sermon in the Deer Park in Benares and the founding of the Buddhist sangha.
Historically always mandatory bar closure (or no alcohol allowed) on this day
02 AUG		 15 Jul: Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region) 26 Jul: Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region) Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region) Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region)

Buddhist Lent Day (Wan Khao Phansa)

Date based on lunar calendar. The actual date changes every year.

This day marks the beginning of the Buddhist 'lent' period, a time when monks are supposed to retreat to their temples while new life springs forth.
Historically always mandatory bar closure (or no alcohol allowed) on this day
03 AUG		 16 Jul: Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region). Bars allowed to open 10PM in parts of Patong. 27 Jul: Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region) Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region) Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region)

H.M. The Queen's Birthday

Date based on western (Gregorian) calendar. This event occurs on the same calendar day every year.

Her Majesty the Queen's birthday is a national holiday, also serving as the country's Mothers' Day as well.
Unlikely, but bar closure may have happened before.
12 AUG		 12 Aug: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 12 Aug: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 12 Aug: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 12 Aug: Insufficient data available concerning mandated bar closure

End of Buddhist Lent Day (Wan Awk Phansa)

Date based on lunar calendar. The actual date changes every year.

This day marks the end of the Buddhist 'lent' period or the Rains Retreat.
There is no history of mandated bar closure on this day.
30 OCT 		12 Oct: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 22 Oct: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

Thod Kathin

Date based on lunar calendar. The actual date changes every year.

Presentation of Monk's Robes after Rains Retreat.
There is no history of mandated bar closure on this day.
31 OCT		 13 Oct: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 23 Oct: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

Chulalongkorn Memorial Day

Date based on western (Gregorian) calendar. This event occurs on the same calendar day every year.

Celebration of the death anniversary of Thailand's one of the most revered kings, Rama V.
There is no history of mandated bar closure on this day.
23 OCT

23 Oct: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

 23 Oct: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 23 Oct: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region) 23 Oct: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

Loy Kratong

Date based on lunar calendar. The actual date changes every year.

While it is not marked a national holiday, it is an evening when Thais pay respect to the goddess of the waters by floating candlelit offerings on any and all waterways around the kingdom.
There is no history of mandated bar closure on this day.
28 NOV		 10 Nov: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

20 Nov: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

H.M. The King's Birthday

Date based on western (Gregorian) calendar. This event occurs on the same calendar day every year.

His Majesty the King's birthday is celebrated throughout the country and is also the country's Fathers Day.
Usually a mandatory bar closure on this day, but not always.
05 DEC		 5 Dec: Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed in some area, but allowed in others. Phuket: No Alcohol. Within the city of Pattaya there were mixed rulings or interpretaion thereof. 5 Dec: Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region). In 2010 the bar closure mandate was for the actual birth date (05 Dec) and not the substitution date (06 Dec). 5 Dec: Bar closure mandated or sale of alcohol not allowed (may vary by region). In 2010 the bar closure mandate was for the actual birth date (05 Dec) and not the substitution date (06 Dec). 5 Dec: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

Thai Constitution Day

Date based on western (Gregorian) calendar. This event occurs on the same calendar day every year.

Celebrates the date in 1932 when the country was granted its first constitution.
There is no history of mandated bar closure on this day.
10 DEC

10 Dec: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

10 Dec: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

10 Dec: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

10 Dec: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

New Years' Eve

Date based on western (Gregorian) calendar. This event occurs on the same calendar day every year.

The day before the Western New Year day is always marked a national holiday.
There is no history of mandated bar closure on this day.
31 DEC

31 Dec: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

31 Dec: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

31 Dec: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)

31 Dec: No mandated bar closure (may vary by region)
 

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Public Holidays and Bar Closures in Thailand, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chaing Mai, Makha Bucha, Buddha, Chakri Day, Songkran, Visakha Bucha, Vesak Day, Asalha Puja Day, Buddhist Lent, Wan Khao Phansa,Thod Kathin, Chulalongkorn, Loy Katong, Kings Birthday. Public holidays in Thailand.