Phuket Office Hours, Thai Calendar

Business Hours
Normal office hours in Phuket are 8.30am – 3.30pm on weekdays. Major Banks are open 8.30am - 3:30pm on weekdays. They are normally closed on Saturdays and Sundays and bank holidays. Emergency and essential services are not affected. The vast majority of shops are open every day throughout the year, some only closing during the public holidays. Generally, opening hours are 10am-7pm. However, many stores in busy retail areas open until 10pm or even later, particularly on weekends. While some bars and clubs in Phuket keep going through the night.
The Thai Calendar
Years are numbered according to the Buddhist Era (BE) which commenced 543 years before the Christian era. Thailand national holidays are linked to religious or agricultural traditions.
Loy Kratong Day(November)
Not a national holiday, but an evening when Thais pay respect to the goddess of the waters by floating candlelit offerings on any and all waterways around the kingdom.
King's Birthday (5 December) National Holiday
His Majesty the King's birthday is celebrated throughout the country and also serves as the nation's Fathers Day.
Constitution Day (10 December) National Holiday
December 10th celebrates the date in 1932 when the country was granted its first constitution.
New Years Eve (31 December) National Holiday
The day before the western New Year day is always a national holiday.
New Year's Day (1 January) National Holiday
The beginning of the western New Year is a national holiday in Thaland, one of three "new year" holidays celebrated every year.
Chinese New Year (February)
The beginning of the Chinese lunar year is celebrated in the Chinatowns of every city throughout Thailand. Some businesses close for the day, but it is not a national holiday.
Makha Bucha (February) National Holiday
Makha Bucha celebrates the Buddha's first sermon in to his disciples.
Chakri Day (6 April) National Holiday
Chakri Day commeorates the founding of the current dynasty, Rama I.
Songkran Day (13 April) National Holiday
Songkran is the traditional Thai new year, generally celebrated as a water festival.
Labor Day (1 May) National Holiday
International Labor Day is celebrated as a national holiday.
Coronation Day (5 May) National Holiday
Celebrates the day in 1949 when the current king was crowned.
Visakha Bucha (May) National Holiday
The holiest Buddhist holiday celebrates the birth, enlightenment and entry into nirvana of the Buddha.
Queen's Birthday (12 August) National Holiday
Her Majesty the Queen's birthday is a national holiday, also serving as the country's Mothers Day as well.
Buddhist Lent (August) National Holiday
This day marks the beginning of the Buddhist 'lent' period, a time when monks are supposed to retreat to their temples while new life springs forth.
Chulalongkorn Day (23 October) National Holiday
Celebrates the birthday of one of Thailand's most revered kings.