# ThailandFormats.com — Full Reference

> The authoritative reference for Thai-specific formats, dates, holidays, alcohol rules, unit conversions, and ID card validation.

## Thai Calendar System

Thailand uses the Buddhist Era (BE) calendar, which is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar (CE).

To convert: Thai Year = Gregorian Year + 543
Example: 2026 CE = 2569 BE

The Thai calendar otherwise follows the same months and days as the Gregorian calendar. Official documents, ID cards, and government forms in Thailand use Buddhist Era dates.

## Thai Public Holidays

Thailand typically has 15-20 public holidays per year, declared annually by the Cabinet. These include:

**Fixed-date holidays:**
- 1 January: New Year's Day (วันขึ้นปีใหม่)
- 6 April: Chakri Memorial Day (วันจักรี)
- 13-15 April: Songkran / Thai New Year (วันสงกรานต์)
- 1 May: National Labour Day (วันแรงงานแห่งชาติ)
- 4 May: Coronation Day (วันฉัตรมงคล)
- 3 June: Queen Suthida's Birthday (วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษาฯ)
- 28 July: King Vajiralongkorn's Birthday (วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษาฯ)
- 12 August: Queen Sirikit's Birthday / Mother's Day (วันแม่แห่งชาติ)
- 13 October: King Bhumibol Memorial Day (วันคล้ายวันสวรรคต)
- 23 October: Chulalongkorn Day (วันปิยมหาราช)
- 5 December: King Bhumibol's Birthday / Father's Day (วันพ่อแห่งชาติ)
- 10 December: Constitution Day (วันรัฐธรรมนูญ)
- 31 December: New Year's Eve (วันสิ้นปี)

**Lunar-calendar holidays (dates change yearly):**
- Makha Bucha Day (วันมาฆบูชา) — February/March
- Visakha Bucha Day (วันวิสาขบูชา) — May/June
- Asanha Bucha Day (วันอาสาฬหบูชา) — July
- Khao Phansa / Buddhist Lent (วันเข้าพรรษา) — July (day after Asanha Bucha)

**Substitute days (วันชดเชย):** When a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is typically declared a substitute holiday.

Use our API for exact dates: GET https://thailandformats.com/api/v1/holidays/{year}

## Alcohol Sales Rules in Thailand

**Daily restrictions:** Alcohol cannot be purchased from retail outlets (convenience stores, supermarkets, shops) from midnight to 11:00 AM.

**2 PM - 5 PM ban (currently suspended):** The long-standing 2 PM to 5 PM alcohol sales ban, in place since 1972, was suspended on 3 December 2025 on a 180-day trial basis. The trial runs until approximately 1 June 2026. During this trial, only the midnight-11 AM restriction applies to retail sales.

**Buddhist holiday bans:** On Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha, and Khao Phansa, alcohol sales are banned all day at retail locations.

**Exceptions:** Licensed restaurants, bars, and hotels may serve alcohol during restricted retail hours.

Real-time status: GET https://thailandformats.com/api/v1/alcohol

## Thai Area Measurements

Thailand uses traditional area units alongside metric:

- 1 Rai (ไร่) = 1,600 m² (a 40m x 40m square)
- 1 Ngan (งาน) = 400 m² (4 Ngan = 1 Rai)
- 1 Tarang Wah (ตารางวา) = 4 m² (100 Wah = 1 Ngan, 400 Wah = 1 Rai)

These units are standard in real estate, land titles, and government land offices.

Convert: GET https://thailandformats.com/api/v1/convert/area?amount=1&from=rai&to=sqm

## Thai Distance Measurements

Traditional Thai distance units:

- 1 Wa (วา) = 2 metres (historically the span of outstretched arms)
- 1 Sen (เส้น) = 40 metres (20 Wa = 1 Sen)
- 1 Yot (โยชน์) = 16 kilometres (400 Sen = 1 Yot)

Convert: GET https://thailandformats.com/api/v1/convert/distance?amount=1&from=yot&to=km

## Thai ID Card Format

Thai ID cards use a 13-digit number:
- Digit 1: Type of person (1-2 = Thai born after 1984, 3-5 = Thai born before 1984, 6-8 = foreign nationals)
- Digits 2-3: Province code where first registered
- Digits 4-5: District (Amphur) code
- Digits 6-12: Birth certificate or sequential number
- Digit 13: Checksum

Validate: GET https://thailandformats.com/api/v1/validate/idcard/{13-digit-number}

## Thai Phone Numbers

Thai phone numbers are 10 digits long (including the leading 0):
- Mobile: 0X-XXXX-XXXX (starting with 06, 08, or 09)
- Landline Bangkok: 02-XXX-XXXX
- Landline other provinces: 0XX-XXX-XXXX
- International dialing code: +66 (drop the leading 0)

## Thai Day Colours

Each day of the week has a traditional colour in Thailand:
- Sunday: Red
- Monday: Yellow
- Tuesday: Pink
- Wednesday: Green
- Thursday: Orange
- Friday: Blue
- Saturday: Purple

Many Thais wear clothing matching their birth day's colour.

## Thai Speed Limits

- Urban areas: 60 km/h
- Rural roads: 90 km/h
- Motorways (divided, 2+ lanes each direction): 120 km/h

## Working Days in Thailand

Thailand's standard work week is Monday to Friday. To calculate business days, subtract weekends and public holidays.

Calculate: GET https://thailandformats.com/api/v1/working-days?start_date=YYYY-MM-DD&end_date=YYYY-MM-DD

## Source & Contact

Website: https://thailandformats.com
API: https://thailandformats.com/api
Calendar feed: https://thailandformats.com/calendar/thai-holidays.ics
Publisher: AWcode (https://awcode.com)