Short answer
The Bank of Thailand has announced 18 holidays for financial institutions in 2027, including eight long weekends. Songkran, the Thai New Year, falls on Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 April 2027. The longest break is four days, from Saturday 1 to Tuesday 4 May. These are bank holidays and the government's own list for offices may differ slightly. On our tours, the Phuket elephant sanctuary is closed on 13 April and Erawan Falls turns into a water fight during Songkran.
The Bank of Thailand's calendar puts Songkran on 13–15 April 2027
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) announced 18 traditional holidays for financial institutions in 2027, the Nation reported on 28 August 2026. Banks will close for three consecutive days for Songkran, Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 April 2027, with no weekend attached, because the days fall between Tuesday and Thursday.
Wikipedia describes Songkran as the Thai New Year, celebrated on 13 April with the holiday running on to 14 and 15 April. The BOT's own web page lists financial-institution holidays for 2027, but its table is loaded by script, so we took the day-by-day dates from the Nation's report of the calendar.
The other 2027 long weekends
The BOT calendar has eight periods that make a break of three days or more, according to the Nation. The longest runs four days, from Saturday 1 May to Tuesday 4 May: the weekend, the substitute holiday for Labour Day on Monday 3 May, and Coronation Day on Tuesday 4 May.
Other dates on the list include Friday 1 January, Monday 22 February (substitute for Makha Bucha), Thursday 20 May (Visakha Bucha), Thursday 12 August (Mother's Day), Monday 6 December and Friday 31 December. The Nation notes that the list is for banks. Check the government's own list before you plan around an office or embassy visit.
What it means for a trip in April or May 2027
Songkran is the Thai New Year, and many Thais travel home for it. Wikipedia notes that in 2018 the cabinet extended the Songkran holiday nationwide to seven days, from 9 to 16 April, for that reason. So treat 13–15 April as the minimum and expect busy roads, trains and flights around it.
Banks will be closed on the days listed, so draw cash beforehand. Book hotels and transport early for the Songkran week and for 1–4 May.
Which of our tours are affected
The Phuket elephant sanctuary morning is closed on 13 April for Songkran, and it is often full one to two weeks ahead, up to two weeks from November to April. If you want it, avoid 13 April and book early.
On the River Kwai Bridge and Erawan Falls day trip, weekends and public holidays are crowded at the falls. During Songkran, 13–15 April, the falls turn into a water-fight party, so leave non-waterproof phones and cameras behind.
Practical checklist
- Pencil in 13–15 April 2027 for Songkran and 1–4 May for the long weekend, and book hotels early.
- Draw cash before the bank holidays; banks close on the days listed.
- Avoid 13 April if you want the Phuket elephant sanctuary morning.
- Bring a waterproof phone pouch for any outdoor day in Songkran week.
- Check the government's holiday list as well as the bank calendar for office or embassy visits.
Questions and answers
What are the Songkran dates in 2027?
On the Bank of Thailand's calendar, Songkran is Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 April 2027, three consecutive bank holidays. Wikipedia describes the festival as celebrated on 13 April with the holiday running to 15 April.
How many bank holidays does Thailand have in 2027?
The Bank of Thailand lists 18 traditional holidays for financial institutions in 2027, including eight periods that make a break of at least three days, according to the Nation.
Could the Songkran holiday be longer?
It has been before. Wikipedia notes the cabinet extended the holiday nationwide to seven days, 9–16 April, in 2018. Nothing we read says it will be extended in 2027.
Do our tours run during Songkran?
Most tours run, but the Phuket elephant sanctuary is closed on 13 April, and Erawan Falls is crowded and wet during Songkran. Send us your dates and we check each tour for you.