Thailand Public Holidays 2025

What are the key principles for public holidays?

Paid holidays

Under Section 56 of the Labor Protection Act, employees in Thailand are entitled to paid public holidays according to the announcement of the employer. This means that they should receive their regular daily wage, even if they don’t work.

Working on public holidays

Section 62 of the Labor Protection Act states that if an employer requires an employee to work on holiday, they are entitled to additional compensation. The key part of this is the compensation rate. It is mandated that the employee must receive at least double their regular hourly wage. Note that employers have the choice to pay more, but they cannot pay less than this legal minimum.

Example 1: New Year’s Day falls on a Monday, and Somsri is scheduled to work.

• Daily salary: THB 800
• Hourly wage: THB 800/8 hours = THB 100 per hour
• Holiday work pay: THB 100/hour x 2 = THB 200/hour
• Total holiday work pay for 8 hours: THB 200 x 8 hours = THB 1,600
• Outcome: Somsri receives THB 2,400 (THB 800 + THB 1,600) for working 8 hours on New Year’s Day. 

Omni note: Somsri will receive THB 800 just for the holiday itself under the Labor Protection Act, as employees are entitled to their daily salary regardless of whether they are working on that day or not.

Overtime on public holidays

Section 63 of the Act states that overtime on public holidays must be paid at triple the normal hourly wage.

Example 2: Same scenario as above, Somsri is scheduled to work 2 hours overtime.

• Daily salary: THB 800
• Hourly wage: THB 800/8 hours = THB 100 per hour
• Holiday overtime pay: THB 100/hour x 3 = THB 300/hour
• Total holiday overtime pay for 2 hours: THB 300 x 2 hours = THB 600
• Outcome: Somsri receives THB 600 for working 2 hours overtime on New Year’s Day. 

To summarize, Somsri is entitled to THB 3,000 for working 8 hours and 2 hours overtime on New Year’s Day: 

1. Are all Thailand public holidays observed nationwide?

Most are, but some regional variations may exist, particularly in southern Thailand, where Islamic holidays are also observed. It is suggested to refer to the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Thai government’s official websites for the latest news. 

2. How many public holidays in Thailand?

The number of Thailand public holidays can vary slightly from year to year. For 2025, Thailand will observe 20 public holidays with 2 bridge days for a long weekend. 

3. Is Christmas a public holiday in Thailand?

As Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist country, Christmas is not included in its official public holidays. However, it is still widely recognized and celebrated, and many shopping malls, hotels, and restaurants in major cities like Bangkok will feature Christmas decorations and events. 

4. What happens if a Thailand public holiday falls on a weekend?

If a public holiday falls on a weekend, a compensatory holiday will often be observed on the following Monday. 

5. Are banks and government offices closed on public holidays?

Yes, banks and government offices are generally closed on official public holidays.

6. Do foreign workers have the same rights regarding Thailand public holiday pay?

Yes, the Thai Labor Protection Act applies to all employees working in Thailand, regardless of nationality. Hence, the Thailand public holiday pay applies to foreign workers as well.

7. If I am on a monthly salary, how is my daily rate calculated for Thailand public holiday pay?

Typically, your monthly salary is divided by the average number of working days in a month to determine your daily rate. Refer to examples above for a detailed calculation of your Thailand public holiday pay.