Thai Public Holidays and Closures in Phuket: 2027 Calendar and What Shuts

Three lists, not one

A law-firm guide explains that the cabinet list governs government offices, the Bank of Thailand publishes a separate list that tells you when banks close, and private employers follow the labour law's own minimum, so the lists do not always match. For daily life, treat the Bank of Thailand list as the guide to banks and the cabinet list as the guide to government offices such as Immigration and the land transport office. The Bank of Thailand has set 18 bank holidays for 2027, according to press reports.

2027 dates reported so far

Dates are reported by the press and calendar sites and may change. Four holidays move each year with the lunar calendar: Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha and Khao Phansa.

• 1 January, Friday: New Year's Day.
• 21 February, Sunday: Makha Bucha Day, with Monday 22 February reported as the day off in lieu, giving a long weekend.
• 6 April, Tuesday: Chakri Memorial Day.
• 13 to 15 April: Songkran.
• 1 May, Saturday: Labour Day, mainly a bank and private-sector holiday, with 3 May reported as the observed day by one calendar.
• 4 May, Tuesday: Coronation Day.
• 20 May, Thursday: Visakha Bucha Day.
• 3 June, Thursday: Queen Suthida's birthday.
• 18 July, Sunday: Asarnha Bucha Day, with Monday 19 July reported as the substitute day and Khao Phansa, the start of Buddhist Lent, around the same dates.
• Later in the year the usual national days fall, including the King's birthday on 28 July and the Father's Day and Constitution Day holidays in December. Check the final list.

The cabinet sometimes adds special bridge days to create long weekends, as it did for 2 January 2026, so watch for announcements late in the year.

Alcohol bans on Buddhist holy days

Sales of alcohol are banned nationwide for 24 hours on major Buddhist holy days, including Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha and the Buddhist Lent dates, according to a holiday guide. Shops, bars and most restaurants stop selling alcohol, so buy ahead if you need it. Other restrictions can apply around elections, so check local notices.

What it means for admin and travel

• Immigration, land transport, the amphoe and most government offices close on cabinet holidays, so plan visa extensions, 90-day reports, licence renewals and registrations around them. See the visa hub and the documents guide.
• Banks close on the Bank of Thailand holidays, and transfers may be delayed, as the banking guide explains.
• Songkran is the biggest travel peak of the year. Book flights, hotels and rentals early, and expect busy roads.
• Schools close on public holidays and have their own term breaks. See the schools guide.
• Many shops stay open, but some local businesses close for several days around Songkran and Chinese New Year.

Festivals and events

Public holidays are not the same as festivals. Our festivals calendar covers Songkran, Loy Krathong, the Vegetarian Festival and others, and the etiquette guide explains how to behave at temples and religious events.

Where to check

Check the Bank of Thailand holiday list and the cabinet announcements for the year, and confirm with the office you need if a deadline falls near a holiday. Do not leave a visa deadline to the last working day before a long weekend.