Thailand observes a mix of secular and Buddhist holidays that can affect opening hours, alcohol sales and boat schedules.
Alcohol sale restrictions
On certain Buddhist holy days (Wan Phra) and specific national holidays, alcohol sales are restricted or banned nationwide for the day — this can catch visitors off guard if a beach bar suddenly can't serve beer.
Major holidays affecting travel
- Songkran (mid-April) — the country's biggest holiday period, with many locally-run businesses closing for several days even as tourist-facing venues stay open for the water festival crowds
- New Year and Chinese New Year — the island's busiest and most expensive tourist periods, worth booking well ahead for
Typical daily hours
Government offices and banks generally run standard weekday business hours; tourist-area shops, restaurants and markets often stay open into the evening and don't necessarily observe a fixed weekly closing day.