THE DRY-DAY CALENDAR
Thailand dry days in 2026 and 2027
You cannot buy alcohol at ordinary shops on Thailand’s five Buddhist dry days. The answer is NO for the whole day. You usually need to wait until 11 am the following day, or longer if another ban follows.
Rules reviewed · All times in Thailand
Is every public holiday a dry day?
No. A public holiday alone does not stop alcohol sales. The five Buddhist observances in the calendar below do. New Year’s Day and Songkran are not automatically nationwide alcohol-sale bans, although restrictions can apply at particular places or events.
Use the religious observance date, not a substitute bank holiday. For example, Visakha Bucha falls on Sunday 31 May in 2026. The following Monday’s substitute holiday does not extend that Buddhist retail ban by itself.
What about elections?
Election bans are separate from the Buddhist calendar. They commonly run from 6 pm the evening before voting until 6 pm on voting day. Advance voting and by-elections may add other periods. Always follow the dates and geographical scope in the relevant notice.
Check the affected-area list and select your district. A local ban applies within the area named in the notice, which may cover only part of your province. If you’re in that area, the ban applies to you even if you’re a visitor and cannot vote.
Can you still buy at a hotel on a dry day?
Certain registered hotels, international airport passenger areas, licensed entertainment venues and officially designated tourist or event venues may sell under Buddhist-day exceptions. Ordinary shops do not gain an exception because they are near a hotel or in a tourist town.
Ask your venue to confirm that it qualifies and is allowed to serve you at that time. Election bans have separate rules; a Buddhist-day exception is not permission to sell during an election blackout.
How should you use the calendar for a future trip?
You can save the Buddhist dry days to your calendar, with the following year’s dates marked for planning. The download does not update automatically or include every local election, so check again close to your visit.
The 2026 dates match the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s calendar. For 2027, bank-holiday observances are cross-checked against the Bank of Thailand; the beginning and end of Lent remain planning dates to reconfirm when the tourism calendar is published.
Buddhist dry-day dates
You cannot buy at ordinary shops on these dates, from midnight to midnight in Thailand. Use the 2027 dates for planning and check again before your visit.
2026
| Date in Thailand | Buddhist observance | Ordinary shops |
|---|---|---|
| Makha Bucha Day | NO | |
| Visakha Bucha Day | NO | |
| Asalha Bucha Day | NO | |
| Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent begins) | NO | |
| Wan Ok Phansa (End of Buddhist Lent) | NO |
2027 · planning dates
| Date in Thailand | Buddhist observance | Ordinary shops |
|---|---|---|
| Makha Bucha Day | NO | |
| Visakha Bucha Day | NO | |
| Asalha Bucha Day | NO | |
| Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent begins) | NO | |
| Wan Ok Phansa (End of Buddhist Lent) | NO |
This download does not update automatically. Check election notices and new local orders separately.
Election dates to check
Check the exact area in each notice. A local election does not stop sales across the country.
15 November 2026 local election alcohol-sales ban
14 Nov 2026, 11:00 – 15 Nov 2026, 11:00 ICT
- Phak Khwang Subdistrict Administrative Organization District 14, Thong Saen Khan, Uttaradit
- Doi Saket Subdistrict Municipality, Doi Saket, Chiang Mai
- Lom Rat Town Municipality District 2, Thoen, Lampang
- Wang Phrao Subdistrict Municipality, Ko Kha, Lampang
- Tha Chang Town Municipality District 1, Mueang Chanthaburi, Chanthaburi
- Pong Nam Ron Subdistrict Administrative Organization District 6, Pong Nam Ron, Chanthaburi
- Don Chimphli Subdistrict Administrative Organization District 11, Bang Nam Priao, Chachoengsao
- Nong Hua Fan Subdistrict Municipality Districts 1 and 2, Kham Sakaesaeng, Nakhon Ratchasima
- Nong Chaeng Yai Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Bua Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima
- Phraeksa Subdistrict Municipality District 2, Mueang Samut Prakan, Samut Prakan
- Ko Kho Khao Subdistrict Administrative Organization District 2, Takua Pa, Phang Nga
- Ang Thong Subdistrict Administrative Organization District 6, Thap Sakae, Prachuap Khiri Khan
- Ba Ngo Sato Subdistrict Administrative Organization District 7, Ra-ngae, Narathiwat
29 November 2026 Songkhla City mayor election alcohol-sales ban
28 Nov 2026, 11:00 – 29 Nov 2026, 11:00 ICT
- Songkhla City Municipality, Mueang Songkhla, Songkhla
6 December 2026 Sa Kaeo Constituency 3 by-election alcohol-sales ban
5 Dec 2026, 11:00 – 6 Dec 2026, 11:00 ICT
- Sa Kaeo House of Representatives Constituency 3: Aranyaprathet, Ta Phraya, and Khok Sung districts, plus Chong Kum and Sae O subdistricts in Watthana Nakhon district
PUBLISHED RULES
Sources & updates
Read the published rules below. Selling hours and Buddhist-day exceptions have separate announcements from election bans. Check which rules apply where and when you want to buy.
- Tourism Authority of Thailand · 2026 calendar (PDF)
- Bank of Thailand · holiday dates
- Thai government · Buddhist-day exceptions
- Election Commission of Thailand
This is an independent visitor guide, not a Thai government service. The live answer uses published selling hours and the listed restrictions. Local orders and venue licences may add conditions. If a notice at your venue differs, ask staff to confirm which rule applies.