2026 Thai Father's Day

Thai Father's Day on December 5 is the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), who reigned from 1946 until his death in 2016, and it doubles as Thailand's National Day; it has been celebrated as Father's Day since 1980 and remains a public holiday. Children give their fathers canna flowers, regarded as a symbol of masculinity, and schools and offices hold ceremonies of respect. Yellow, the colour associated with Monday, the day of the King's birth, is worn nationwide, and the day begins with alms-giving to monks and continues with candle-lighting ceremonies in the evening, with Bangkok's Sanam Luang and the Grand Palace hosting the main events and buildings along Ratchadamnoen Avenue illuminated. Many families eat out, so restaurants are busy. When the date falls on a weekend a substitute holiday follows, and it is closely followed by Constitution Day on December 10, giving early December two long weekends. This countdown ticks to midnight Bangkok time on December 5.