Bangkok Pride
- 2026 edition: festival from 28 May to 1 June, main march on Sunday 31 May. It covered 4.8 km, from the Nararom intersection near Khlong Chong Nonsi Park to Thephasadin Stadium, via Silom Road, Henri Dunant Road and Rama I Road. It was the first march on Silom since 2022. Organisers and the Thai press reported more than 500,000 participants, the largest march in the country's history. 2026 theme: "Patch the World with Pride".
- 2027 edition: dates and route not announced as of this page. The festival is usually held in late May or early June; check the organisers' announcements before booking.
- For a traveller: the mood is festive and open to everyone. Expect closed roads around Silom and Siam, pricier hotels, and plenty of water: the march takes place in the hot season. The metro and BTS are the best way to get there (see BTS or MRT).
The Silom district, where the march takes place, is described in Silom and Sathorn.
Buddhist days: Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asalha Bucha
| Festival | What it marks | 2027 date |
|---|---|---|
| Makha Bucha | A spontaneous gathering of 1,250 disciples of the Buddha (February) | Sunday 21 February, public holiday moved to Monday 22 |
| Visakha Bucha (Vesak) | The Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death (May) | Thursday 20 May |
| Asalha Bucha | The Buddha's first sermon (July) | Sunday 18 July, followed by Khao Phansa on Monday 19 |
These are public holidays. In the evening, worshippers walk three times around a shrine holding candles, flowers and incense (the wian tian ceremony) in many temples across the city. To visit: covered clothing (see temple dress code), quiet, no photos during prayers. Temples stay open; ask about the day's programme at a temple such as Wat Benchamabophit or Wat Saket, without assuming a specific ceremony. For the alcohol rules on these days, see alcohol in Bangkok.
Royal days
- The King's Birthday: Wednesday 28 July 2027, public holiday.
- Queen Suthida's Birthday: Thursday 3 June 2027.
- Queen Mother Sirikit's Birthday and Mother's Day: Thursday 12 August 2027.
- King Bhumibol Memorial Day: Wednesday 13 October 2027; King Bhumibol's Birthday and Father's Day: Sunday 5 December 2027 (holiday moved to Monday 6).
On these days, illuminations and ceremonies take place around the Grand Palace and Ratchadamnoen Avenue; traffic may be cut. The 2027 dates are those announced by the Thai press (Time Out Bangkok) after the official calendar was published.
What these events change for you
- Banks and government offices: closed on public holidays. Withdraw cash beforehand (see money and payment).
- Hotels: Pride weekends and long holiday weekends fill up; book early.
- Crowds and traffic: prefer the BTS or MRT; taxis get stuck in closed streets.
- Respect: a Buddhist or royal day is not a party like any other; keep clothing and tone sober. See etiquette in Thailand.
What remains uncertain
The exact dates of Bangkok Pride 2027 and the ceremony programmes are not published; the Bank of Thailand's official document for 2027 could not be consulted directly.
