Thailand’s Cabinet has declared January 2, 2026, a special holiday, turning the New Year break into a five-day festivity. This move aims to give people extra time to celebrate and plan their holidays. The decision aligns with a previous government resolution to add more holidays for 2025 and 2026.

 

The announcement was originally made under Paetongtarn Shinawatra's leadership and recently confirmed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. With the extension now official, there’s excitement in the air as travel agencies and businesses anticipate increased activity and economic benefits.

 

The extended holiday provides more family time and opportunities for rejuvenation at the start of the year, while businesses, especially in the travel sector, are gearing up for a profitable period catering to both locals and tourists.

 

Key Takeaways:
 

• January 2, 2026, declared a special holiday in Thailand.
• New Year break now offers five consecutive days off.
• Positive boost expected for tourism and local businesses.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-11-02

 

 

they keep adding days to holidays but who loses in this?? 

Does the employer lose by having to pay for the extra day without work? 

Do the fmaily lose out on the extra money needed to spend for more days or by the loss of another day of pay if employers are not required to pay the salary for that day? 

I think it is great they give the opportunity for people to visit their families. But if they keep adding more days off work for holidays then surely there will be a problem. 

23 minutes ago, thesetat said:

they keep adding days to holidays but who loses in this?? 

Does the employer lose by having to pay for the extra day without work? 

 

 

With the wednesday and thursday public holidays it makes sense to add the friday,

Yeah the employer will foot the bill.

35 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

With the wednesday and thursday public holidays it makes sense to add the friday,

Yeah the employer will foot the bill.

In the west we have 4 weeks a year holiday paid, with a lot of companies shutting down on the 24th December not opening  again  until the new year.

Thailand no paid holiday just public holidays, and lot of companies do not pay any holiday pay, so why not add an extra day on .

Probably add to more road casualties, but that is another subject.

The 5 day break is not for all.

Many people will work those days or some of those days.

Supermarkets are always open.

Benefits the civil servants mostly, as they are on holiday they will still require the peasant workers to serve them

13 hours ago, thesetat said:

they keep adding days to holidays but who loses in this?? 

Does the employer lose by having to pay for the extra day without work? 

Do the fmaily lose out on the extra money needed to spend for more days or by the loss of another day of pay if employers are not required to pay the salary for that day? 

I think it is great they give the opportunity for people to visit their families. But if they keep adding more days off work for holidays then surely there will be a problem. 

 

With 2 days off for NYE and then a weekend how many people do you think are going to go to work vs how many people will call in sick

 

The bottom line is that some businesses will still be open but they now have the option.  Most Thais go home to their villages for NY so it makes sense to give them the extra day.  

 

The only thing I would recoomend is stay off the motorways and book way in advance for a bus on 30 Dec  4/5 January

12 hours ago, kickstart said:

Thailand no paid holiday just public holidays,

They do.

I  thought Thai new year was Songkran, so Thailand celebrates  two New Years 

12 hours ago, kickstart said:

In the west we have 4 weeks a year holiday paid, with a lot of companies shutting down on the 24th December not opening  again  until the new year.

Thailand no paid holiday just public holidays, and lot of companies do not pay any holiday pay, so why not add an extra day on .

Probably add to more road casualties, but that is another subject.

By law, minimum 6 days paid annual leave in Thailand.

 

most use up their 30days paid sick leave before touching annual leave!

 

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, actonion said:

I  thought Thai new year was Songkran, so Thailand celebrates  two New Years 

3 if you include Chinky New Year !

13 hours ago, kickstart said:

In the west we have 4 weeks a year holiday paid, with a lot of companies shutting down on the 24th December not opening  again  until the new year.

Thailand no paid holiday just public holidays, and lot of companies do not pay any holiday pay, so why not add an extra day on .

Probably add to more road casualties, but that is another subject.

Maybe 30 years ago, not many places close for the two weeks anymore.

Yet another generous gift by the government - to be paid by employers - of course. 

15 hours ago, webfact said:

This move aims to give people extra time to celebrate and plan their holidays.

 

And to get drunk and kill themself and others in the traffic.?

15 hours ago, thesetat said:

they keep adding days to holidays but who loses in this?? 

Does the employer lose by having to pay for the extra day without work? 

Do the fmaily lose out on the extra money needed to spend for more days or by the loss of another day of pay if employers are not required to pay the salary for that day? 

I think it is great they give the opportunity for people to visit their families. But if they keep adding more days off work for holidays then surely there will be a problem. 

If employers do pay for bank holidaying staff, everybody will end up footing the bill since a switched on company will pass the costs on.
 

Thailand does seem to have a lot of holidays, Malaysia even more I believe, but at least they take the time and appreciate life. We have it all a$$_backards in the West. 

15 hours ago, thesetat said:

they keep adding days to holidays but who loses in this?? 

Does the employer lose by having to pay for the extra day without work? 

Do the fmaily lose out on the extra money needed to spend for more days or by the loss of another day of pay if employers are not required to pay the salary for that day? 

I think it is great they give the opportunity for people to visit their families. But if they keep adding more days off work for holidays then surely there will be a problem. 

You assume quite a bit ..

... everyone has a job with weekends off

... all people have off on holidays

... people that work do or don't get 1.5 rate of pay

... another holiday, another day of work, higher traffic & income for those in the customer service industry.  Or simply more shopping done, more rooms rented, added work shifts & income

 

Long weekends really do make sense, and benefit most folks.  I'm not a fan, as hotels more expensive, and vendors more crowded.  More traffic, except in metros, as less work & school commuters.  OK if into people watching, but that's about it.

11 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

We have it all a$$_backards in the West. 

You must be a Yank, as Europe gets a silly amount of time off of work, compared to most USA workers.

 

 

1 hour ago, actonion said:

I  thought Thai new year was Songkran, so Thailand celebrates  two New Years 

Correct. Similar to Thais who say they do not like Western food. But if a free feed of KFC, Pizza or Macca's is mentioned they can't get there quick enuff.🙃🙃

1 hour ago, Vlada Floric said:

Maybe 30 years ago, not many places close for the two weeks anymore.

Tikky-Tokky shop purchases 24/7 & deliveries don't stop.🙃🙃

18 hours ago, webfact said:

turning the New Year break into a five-day festivity.

Thai logic: A long holiday is good for the Thai economy.

11 minutes ago, JJ-Thailand said:

Thai logic: A long holiday is good for the Thai economy.

 

The Friday has 2 day holiday either side.

The correct logic is to include the Friday.

7 hours ago, actonion said:

I  thought Thai new year was Songkran, so Thailand celebrates  two New Years 

 

 

Actually 3: they also celebrate Chinese New Year.

 

 

7 hours ago, Vlada Floric said:

Maybe 30 years ago, not many places close for the two weeks anymore.

 

In Spain we do. Plus Christmas, plus Eastern, plus Halloween, plus some bank holidays,...  and public servants even more. Plus 1 day increased holydays every 5 years at work. When I retired I already had 2'5 months holidays. 

 

7 hours ago, Sydebolle said:

Yet another generous gift by the government - to be paid by employers - of course. 

 

They look more Europeans every year.

 

Unfortunally, not in many things, like security, traffic,...

 

 

6 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

And to get drunk and kill themself and others in the traffic.?

 

 

They don't need holidays for that.

 

 

They will be soon printing a calender with what days are not holidays

19 hours ago, JJ-Thailand said:

Thai logic: A long holiday is good for the Thai economy.

 

Its good for the people who dont whant to work, but drink alcohol in their hangmats.

2 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 

Its good for the people who dont whant to work, but drink alcohol in their hangmats.

Its good for the people visiting family upcountry for the new year holiday (31st and 1st) and don't want to drive back late on the 1st to be at work for the 2nd... now they can enjoy a couple more days with family and drive back on the 4th.

16 hours ago, Espanol said:

Actually 3: they also celebrate Chinese New Year.

But not a public holiday.

For common Thai people a no event anyway. Just roadblocks for  parades and many "Chinese" shops closed 😁

 

Songkran is by far the most important holidays. Family come together is a must. Travelling far from their workplaces.

Christian new year might or might not be a reason to travel.

But 5 days are a temptation.

Travel chaos garantueed.

2 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

Its good for the people who dont whant to work, but drink alcohol in their hangmats.

Everything is good. Just woke up. 7/11 cool room open for business.🙃🙃