THAILAND FESTIVAL 2019 NATIONAL HOLIDAYS Thailand uses two different calendars alongside each other: the Thai solar calendar, based on the Gregorian calendar, used for official and in daily life, and the Thai lunar calendar, used for traditional events and Buddhist religious practices. NEW YEAR’S DAY 1 January 2019 Thailand celebrates three different new years in a year, based on three different calendars: Thai solar calendar, Chinese lunar calendar, and Thai lunar calendar. The first day of the Gregorian year is celebrated as a national holiday in Thailand. CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAYS 5 February 2019 Based on the Chinese lunar calendar, the beginning of the Chinese lunar year is celebrated in the Chinatowns of every city throughout Thailand. There will be various performance on the street and activities and rituals that people do based on Chinese traditions throughout the first few days of the Chinese lunar year and even prior the new year day. However, it is not marked as national holiday. MAKHA BUCHA DAY 19 February 2019 Marked as a national holiday, Makha Bucha celebrates the Buddha’s first sermon into his disciples when the main Buddhist principles were first set out. It is always held on the full moon of the third lunar month in the Thai Lunar Calendar; therefore, the actual date differs from year to year. In Thailand, any day with a full moon (known in Thai as Wan Phra) is regarded as auspicious, and many Thai people will visit their local temple on those days. In the morning, Thai people will wake up early to give alms to monks. In the evening, they will visit the temples to listen to sermons and perform the candle ceremony. Sale of alcohol is banned on religious holidays; therefore, the bars and clubs are closed as well. CHAKRI DAY 6 April 2019 Marked as a national holiday, Chakri Day commemorates the founding of the Chakri dynasty by Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (King Rama I) in 1782. This day also show the appreciation of the Thai people to all the kings’ the contributions for the country. The current King will pay respects to his predecessors at the Royal Pantheon and lay a wreath at the statue of King Rama I at the Memorial Bridge. Government offices, schools and banks will be closed on this day but most businesses will operate as usual. 2 NATIONAL HOLIDAYS THAI LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY - SONGKRAN FESTIVAL 13 - 15 April 2019 This traditional Thai custom of merry-making is the Kingdom’s most ‘sanuk’ (fun- filled) festival, celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm, nation-wide, once a year. In most parts of the country, Songkran extends over a period of three days and is known for its tradition of water-throwing. Without a doubt, on the practical side, Songkran is a refreshing solution to “beating the heat” in the hottest season of the year. There is, however a much deeper significance to “Songkran”. Apart from marking a new beginning, Songkran is also a time for thanksgiving. It is an important time for individuals to reflect upon the many acts of kindness and thoughtfulness each has personally experienced and to remember how such acts of generosity and compassion bring peace, happiness and well-being. Songkran is also the time for family reunions. At the heart of each Thai custom and tradition, there is always a logical reason for its existence. The festive elements of the celebration, the cultural values, the social code of conduct and individual belief and practices are intertwined. Songkran embodies the traditional Thai cultural values. The underlying significance of Songkran is the process of cleansing and purification - the purging of all ills, misfortune and evil and starting the New Year afresh with all that is good and pure. Water is symbolic of the cleaning process and signifies purity. LABOUR DAY 1 May 2019 International Labour Day is also celebrated as a national holiday. Some businesses may be closed. ROYAL PLOUGHING CEREMONY DAY 13 May 2019 Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day, also called “Farmer’s Day”, is a government holiday to mark the start of the rice growing season. The actual date is calculated based on astrological observations and announced by the Bureau of the Royal Household. The ceremony is held at Bangkok’s Sanam Luang, the open field and public square in front of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace. Government offices will be closed. VISAKHA BUCHA DAY 19 – 20 May 2019 The nationwide festival of Visakha Bucha Day is held to pay tribute to the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. The day is celebrated on the fourteenth or fifteenth day of the fourth month in the lunar calendar; therefore, the actual date differs from year to year. In Thailand, people will congregate around the Buddhist temples to pray and give thanks to the deity. Monks dressed in their saffron robes will lead sermons and services throughout the day, with candlelit processions often taking place once night has fallen. All government offices and many businesses will be closed. Sale of alcohol is banned on religious holidays. 3 NATIONAL HOLIDAYS ASANHA BUCHA DAY 16 July 2019 Asanha Bucha is a national holiday to mark the day when Buddha delivered his first sermon in India and commemorate the founding of the Buddhist monkhood. It is the first full moon of the eighth month in lunar calendar; therefore, the actual date differs from year to year. Thai people will visit the temples during the day and in the evening, they will perform a candle ceremony. Sale of alcohol is banned on religious holidays. BUDDHIST LENT DAY (KHAO PHANSA) 17 July 2019 This day marks the beginning of Vassa, the Buddhist Lent period. This period will last for three months, during which all monks are supposed to retreat to their temples while new life springs forth. The actual date follows right after Asanha Bucha Day and differs from year to year. HIS MAJESTY KING MAHA VAJIRALONGKORN’S BIRTHDAY 28 July 2019 This day has been marked as a national holiday to celebrate the birthday of King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) starting from 2017. In the previous years, the day was celebrated on 5 December, the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Most government offices, banks and businesses will be closed. HIS MAJESTY QUEEN SIRIKIT’S BIRTHDAY (MOTHER’S DAY) 12 August 2019 This day has been marked as a national holiday to celebrate the birthday of Queen Sirikit, wife of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and mother King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X). It is also served as the Mother’s Day to honour the role of mothers MEMORIAL DAY OF KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ 13 October 2019 This day has been marked as a national holiday to commemorate the death of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). CHULALONGKORN MEMORIAL DAY 23 October 2019 This day is the memorial day of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), considered one of the most revered kings of Thailand. King Chulalongkorn has helped to reshape and modernize Thailand by introducing many social and political reforms. Government offices and banks will be closed. 4 NATIONAL HOLIDAYS LOY KRATHONG AND YI PENG 11 November 2019 Every year, on the evening of the full moon in the twelfth month of the traditional Thai lunar calendar, Thailand becomes illuminated for the Loy Krathong Festival— the Thai Festival of Lights. Loy Krathong, literally translated as “to float a basket,” is celebrated to wave goodbye to misfortune and wish for good luck and happiness. Traditionally made using a piece of banana trunk, krathongs are decorated with flowers, candles, banana leaves, and incenses before they are set afloat the river. While Loy Krathong is celebrated throughout Thailand, the celebrations in Chiang Mai and Bangkok are the most notable among visitors and locals due to their large scale festivities. In Chiang Mai, the ancient capital of the former Lanna kingdom, Loy Krathong coincides with the Lanna festival of Yi Peng, in which the dark of night sky glows with the light of paper lanterns to celebrate the full moon day in the second month according to the ancient Lanna lunar calendar. Make a wish as you float your lantern into the sky where it will join with hundreds of others, mimicking stars as they soar above the crowd below. On this day, Chiang Mai will light up with lights floating on the waters, lights hanging on the trees and lights floating in the sky. Festivities continue with colourful fireworks, joyous parades, and cultural performances throughout the city. Dotted with many ponds and waterways, Bangkok is another location where travelers can take part in a lively Loy Krathong. On the banks of Chao Phraya River Wat Arun and Wat Yannawa are ideal locations for launching krathongs. Take a river cruise tour and float side-by-side with the spiritual offerings. No matter where you celebrate, there is something dreamlike about seeing these Thai cities glow in the candlelight HIS MAJESTY KING BHUMIBOL’S BIRTHDAY (FATHER’S DAY) 5 December 2019 This day has been marked as a national holiday to celebrate the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). It is also served as the Father’s Day to honour the role of fathers. THAI CONSTITUTION DAY 10 December 2019 This day is marked as a national holiday to commemorate the adoption of the constitutional monarchy in Thailand in 1932. Parades and fireworks are common activities during this day and images of the Thai kings are displayed across the country. NEW YEAR’S EVE 31 December 2019 The last day of the Gregorian year is celebrated as a national holiday in Thailand 5 .