Thai Holidays for 2009

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When planning your trip to Thailand, it is important to keep track of the major national holidays celebrated throughout the country. However, although businesses and government offices are closed on public holidays, tourist attractions and shops remain open to accommodate you. You should just be prepared to grit your teeth through traffic as these holidays brings about increased competition for travel and accommodation from Thais who use long weekends to get away from the big city.

The list below shows all of the public holidays as well as some of the more important nationwide celebrations in Thailand. Many of the most important holidays on the Thai calendar are based on the lunar calendar and therefore will occur on different days from year to year. The dates for these holidays in 2010 are calculated estimates and may be subject to correction. Celebrate with the festivals and events as they happen around these dates:

New Years’ Eve - 31 December 2009 (Thursday) The day before the Western New Year day is always marked a national holiday.

New Year’s Day - 1 January 2009 (Thursday) The beginning of the western New Year is a national holiday in Thailand, one of three “new year” holidays celebrated every year.

Makha Bucha - 9 February 2009 (Monday) Makha Bucha celebrates the Buddha’s first sermon in to his disciples.

Chakri Day - 6 April 2009 (Monday) Chakri Day commemorates the founding of the current dynasty by its first king, Rama I.

Songkran - 13-15 April 2009 (Monday-Wednesday) 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!

Labor Day - 1 May 2009 (Friday) International Labor Day is also celebrated as a national holiday, even though there isn’t much ado about it.

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Coronation Day - 5 May 2009 (Tuesday) Celebrates the day when the current king Rama IX was crowned in 1949.

Visakha Bucha - 8 May 2009 (Friday) The holiest Buddhist holiday celebrates the birth, enlightenment and entry into nirvana of the Buddha.

Buddhist Lent - 7 July 2009 (Tuesday) 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.

Queen’s Birthday - 12 August 2009 (Wednesday) Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday is a national holiday, also serving as the country’s Mothers’ Day as well.

King’s Birthday - 5 December 2009 (Saturday) His Majesty the King’s birthday is celebrated throughout the country and also

Constitution Day - 10 December 2009 (Thursday) Celebrates the date in 1932 when the country was granted its first constitution. National Holiday

Chulalongkorn Day - 23 October 2009 (Friday) Celebration of the death anniversary of Thailand’s one of the most revered kings, Rama V.

Loy Kratong - 2 November 2009 (Monday) 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.

King’s Birthday (Substitution) - 7 December 2009 (Monday) Some businesses may be closed during this day due to the holiday offset.

Chinese New Year - 15 January 2010 (Friday) The beginning of the Chinese lunar year is celebrated in the Chinatowns of every city throughout Thailand. Some businesses closed for the day, but it is not a national holiday.