Thailand shop hours and public holidays: the complete guide

Opening hours

7-Eleven: open almost everywhere, almost all the time

The vast majority of Thailand's thousands of 7-Eleven stores are open 24/7 (the name refers to the chain's historical hours, 7am-11pm, long superseded at most locations today). Alcohol sales, however, are restricted by law to specific time windows — generally 11am-2pm and 5pm-midnight — and alcohol shelves are physically covered outside those hours, regardless of the store's own opening hours.

Lawson 108 and other chains

Thailand's other major convenience-store chain runs on a similar model, with most urban branches also open 24/7. The same alcohol-sale rules apply. Newer chains (CJ More, Tops Daily) generally follow the same extended hours in urban areas.

Small neighbourhood shops

Family-run shops and neighbourhood markets have much more variable hours — typically opening early morning and closing between 8pm and 9pm, with no fixed standard. Many close one day a week or run reduced hours during major holidays (see below).

Shopping malls

Shopping malls typically open around 10am and close between 9pm and 10pm, seven days a week, with some flagship stores or restaurants inside large complexes keeping later hours.

What changes on public holidays

Government offices, banks and many businesses close on official public holidays, but convenience stores like 7-Eleven or Lawson stay open almost without exception. Two important exceptions to know: on major Buddhist holy days (Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asalha Bucha and the first day of Buddhist Lent), alcohol sales are banned nationwide, at every retailer, not just restricted to the usual hours; and during Songkran, many small shops run reduced hours or close for several days, while streets in tourist areas get very busy.

The bottom line

For anything urgent outside normal hours, a 7-Eleven or Lawson is almost always your best option — except for alcohol, where the time and the date matter no matter which shop you pick.

Public holidays in Thailand

The Thai calendar mixes fixed-date public holidays (Gregorian calendar) with Buddhist holy days on variable dates, calculated on the lunar calendar and therefore different every year. When an official public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitution day ("วันหยุดชดเชย") is usually granted on the following working day for government offices, banks and many businesses.

1 January — New Year's Day (วันขึ้นปีใหม่)

The first day of the Gregorian calendar. Thailand officially adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1941, under Field Marshal Phibunsongkhram's government, replacing the older traditional new year in April — now celebrated as Songkran — as the official start of the civil year.

Good to know: government offices, banks and many businesses close; convenience stores and malls generally stay open.

February or March (variable date) — Makha Bucha (มาฆบูชา)

Commemorates the day when 1,250 disciples are said to have gathered spontaneously, without any prior summons, to hear a founding sermon from the Buddha. It is one of the four holiest days in the Thai Buddhist calendar, celebrated on the full moon of the third lunar month.

Good to know: alcohol sales are banned nationwide; many worshippers visit temples in the evening for the candlelit procession (เวียนเทียน).

6 April — Chakri Memorial Day (วันจักรี)

Commemorates the founding of the Chakri dynasty, Thailand's current royal family: on 6 April 1782, Rama I ascended the throne, founding the dynasty that still reigns today.

Good to know: an administrative public holiday, with little visible impact for visitors.

13-15 April — Songkran, the Thai New Year (สงกรานต์)

The traditional Thai New Year, famous worldwide for its huge street water fights. It originated as a quieter purification festival: water scented with flowers was respectfully poured over the hands of elders and over Buddha statues to mark renewal. The nationwide street water fights are a more modern evolution of that tradition.

Good to know: expect reduced hours or closures at small shops for several days, and very busy streets in tourist areas. Protect your phone and other electronics if you go out during this period.

1 May — National Labour Day (วันแรงงานแห่งชาติ)

A national public holiday for private-sector employees, introduced in 1974 to honour Thai workers, echoing International Workers' Day.

Good to know: mainly affects the formal private sector; shops and transport run normally.

4 May — Coronation Day (วันฉัตรมงคล)

Commemorates the official coronation of the current king: King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) was formally crowned on 4 May 2019, having ascended the throne in 2016.

Good to know: an administrative public holiday.

May (variable date) — Visakha Bucha (วิสาขบูชา)

The holiest day in the Thai Buddhist calendar: it commemorates the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death all at once, three events tradition places on the full moon of the sixth lunar month.

Good to know: alcohol sales are banned nationwide; many candlelit temple processions take place in the evening.

July (variable date) — Asalha Bucha (อาสาฬหบูชา)

Commemorates the Buddha's first sermon after his enlightenment, marking the founding of the Sangha, the Buddhist monastic community — one of the "Three Jewels" of Buddhism.

Good to know: alcohol sales are banned nationwide.

The day after Asalha Bucha (variable date) — Khao Phansa, the start of Buddhist Lent (วันเข้าพรรษา)

Marks the start of the three-month rains retreat, during which monks stay within their temple. Traditionally tied to the rainy season, when monks travelling on foot risked damaging crops; it is also the period when many young Thai men temporarily enter monkhood.

Good to know: alcohol sales are banned nationwide on this day.

28 July — The King's Birthday (วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา)

The birthday of King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), born on 28 July 1952, marked as a national public holiday.

Good to know: flags and royal portraits are displayed nationwide.

12 August — The Queen Mother's Birthday and Mother's Day (วันแม่แห่งชาติ)

The birthday of Queen Mother Sirikit, wife of King Bhumibol (Rama IX), born on 12 August 1932. Her birthday was chosen in 1976 as Thailand's national Mother's Day.

Good to know: blue decorations, the colour associated with the Queen Mother, are visible in public spaces.

13 October — Anniversary of King Bhumibol's Passing (วันนวมินทรมหาราช)

Commemorates the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), who died on 13 October 2016 after a 70-year reign — the longest in Thai history and one of the most revered.

Good to know: a national day of remembrance; dark clothing is appreciated if you attend an official ceremony.

23 October — Chulalongkorn Day (วันปิยมหาราช)

Commemorates King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), who died on 23 October 1910. He is especially celebrated for abolishing slavery in Thailand and modernising the country while preserving its independence from the European colonial powers of the era.

Good to know: official ceremonies take place at the King Rama V Equestrian Monument in Bangkok.

5 December — King Bhumibol's Birthday and Father's Day (วันพ่อแห่งชาติ)

The birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), born on 5 December 1927, marked as Thailand's national Father's Day. Although the king passed away in 2016, this date remains a national public holiday in his memory.

Good to know: yellow decorations — the colour associated with King Bhumibol, who was born on a Monday — are visible nationwide.

10 December — Constitution Day (วันรัฐธรรมนูญ)

Commemorates the promulgation of Thailand's first permanent constitution, on 10 December 1932, following the Siamese revolution that turned the absolute monarchy into a constitutional one.

Good to know: an administrative public holiday.

31 December — New Year's Eve (วันสิ้นปี)

The last day of the civil year.

Good to know: fireworks and celebrations take place in major cities, especially Bangkok.

The bottom line

Banks, government offices and company headquarters close on these official public holidays, but convenience stores and malls generally stay accessible. Pay particular attention to the nationwide alcohol-ban days: Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asalha Bucha and Khao Phansa — four variable dates to check each year against the current official calendar.