Thailand’s 2025 National Holidays: How Businesses Should Prepare

January 16, 2025 Posted by ASEAN Briefing Written by Ayman Falak Medina Reading Time: 2 minutes

Thailand’s official calendar for 2025 includes several holidays and extended breaks, offering businesses opportunities and challenges. Understanding these dates is essential for maintaining operational efficiency and maximizing productivity while respecting cultural traditions.

Date	Holiday	Remarks
Jan-01	New Year’s Day	Start of the year; public holiday.
Jan-29	Chinese New Year	It is celebrated primarily by Thai-Chinese communities.
Feb-12	Makha Bucha Day	Religious holiday; Buddhist observance.
Mar-30	End of Ramadan	Important for Muslim communities.
Apr-06	Chakri Memorial Day	Commemorates the founding of the Chakri Dynasty.
Apr-07	Chakri Memorial Day (Substitute Holiday)	Substitute for April 6, which falls on a weekend.
April 13-15	Songkran Festival	Thai New Year; extended break for celebrations. Banks are open until April 16.
May-01	Labor Day (Private Sector)	Recognizes workers’ contributions.
May-04	Coronation of King Vajiralongkorn Day	Celebrates the coronation of the current king.
May-05	Coronation Day (Substitute Holiday)	Observed as a public holiday.
May-09	Royal Ploughing Ceremony	Observed by the public sector; agricultural significance.
May-11	Visakha Bucha Day	Commemorates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing.
May-12	Visakha Bucha Day (Observed)	Substitute for May 11, falling on a weekend.
Jun-02	Bridge Day (New Holiday)	Creates a long weekend before Queen Suthida’s Birthday.
Jun-03	Queen Suthida’s Birthday	Celebrates the Queen’s birthday.
Jul-10	Asarnha Bucha Day	Buddhist holiday; marks Buddha’s first sermon.
Jul-11	Khao Phansa Day	Buddhist Lent begins; observed by the public sector.
Jul-28	King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday	Celebrates the King’s birthday.
Aug-11	Queen Mother’s Birthday Holiday (Bridge Day)	The long weekend before the Queen Mother’s birthday.
Aug-12	Queen Mother’s Birthday	Celebrates Her Majesty’s birthday.
Oct-13	Passing of His Majesty the Late King	Observe the passing of King Rama IX.
Oct-23	Chulalongkorn Memorial Day	Honors King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).
Dec-05	His Majesty the Late King’s Birthday	Recognizes the birthday of King Rama IX.
Dec-10	Constitution Day	Celebrates the promulgation of Thailand’s constitution.
Dec-25	Christmas Day	Celebrated mainly by Christian communities.
Dec-31	New Year’s Eve	Marks the end of the year; a public holiday.

Key considerations for businesses

Thailand’s 2025 national holidays offer both opportunities and challenges for businesses, with the tourism industry playing a pivotal role in the country’s economy. In 2023, Thailand’s tourism sector experienced a remarkable recovery, contributing approximately 1.5 trillion baht (US$43.5 billion) to the economy, fueled by 25-30 million international arrivals. This growth accelerated in 2024, with over 35 million visitors contributing around 1.6 trillion baht to GDP. Major holidays, such as the Songkran Festival (April 13-16), draw millions of domestic and international tourists, creating significant revenue streams for hotels, restaurants, and local businesses.

Extended breaks, like the New Year (December 31-January 4), provide similar opportunities for retail, hospitality, and entertainment sectors. However, these peak periods require meticulous workforce and supply chain planning to prevent disruptions and meet heightened demand. By leveraging Thailand’s robust holiday calendar, businesses can capitalize on increased consumer spending while adopting proactive strategies to ensure operational efficiency.