Public Holidays and Special Events on Koh Samui

Koh Samui is called “The Jewel of the Gulf of Thailand.” And besides its undeniable natural beauty, Koh Samui is an island of a thriving, equally welcoming, lively community.

Each year, this beautiful island celebrates 16 official public holidays that are also celebrated across the country, but the exact number of holidays and festivities count so much more.

Koh Samui may be perfect for a more relaxed atmosphere than Phuket and other neighboring islands, but when you visit at the right time at this paradise island, during the proper holiday, it offers much more than rest and relaxation.

This article will share some of the most significant public holidays celebrated on the island and the upcoming special events in 2025.

Koh Samui’s Major Holidays

Holidays in Koh Samui are categorized into four types: traditional, royal, Buddhist, and tourist holidays. How they are celebrated differs, such as banks closing on public holidays, businesses reopening, or all businesses and government offices being closed on major public holidays.

Whether it’s a significant holiday or not, these dates and occasions offer festive and exciting times to come and enjoy a vacation on the island.

1. Traditional Thai Holidays

Traditional Thai holidays are celebrated nationwide, including Songkran and Loy Krathong. Songkran will be celebrated from April 13 to 15, 2025, and it’s considered the Thai New Year festival. Locals throw water at each other on the streets to symbolize the cleansing of bad luck.

On the other hand, Loy Krathong is celebrated in November and is taken as the 2nd most well-known holiday after Songkran. It’s a Buddhist holiday where locals have small banana leaf containers floating on the river.

2. Royal Holidays

Royal holidays are usually the birthdates of the royal family of Thailand. This includes the King’s Birthday on July 28, Queen Sirikit’s birthday on August 12, and the commemoration of death anniversaries of past royals. Some activities held during royal holidays include ceremonies, religious traditions, and cultural shows.

3. Buddhist Holidays

Thailand consists of over 90% Buddhists and some of its most important holidays are Buddhist traditions. The Makha Bucha, for example, is held every February or March, commemorating the gathering of over 1000 monks to hear the teachings of the Buddha. The Visakha Bucha, held every May or June, celebrates the life of Buddha, which includes his birth, enlightenment, and death. The third most crucial Buddhist holiday in Thailand is the Asalha Puja, commemorating Buddha’s first sermon and the introduction of the Four Noble Truths.

4. Tourist Holidays

Tourist holidays include Christmas and New Year, which are not part of Thai culture but are still celebrated and considered national holidays.

Upcoming Special Events Happening in Koh Samui in 2025

Aside from public holidays and festivals, Koh Samui is also blessed with annual events attracting participants and visitors worldwide. Let’s take a look at some of the most anticipated events in 2025:

1. Samui Regatta (May 24-31)

Attracting the best yachts from all over Asia, the Samui Regatta is an annual event on the island since its inception in 2002. The 23rd edition will be held on May 24-31, 2025, and it’s an excellent event for yachting and sailing enthusiasts.

2. Samui Half-Marathon (TBD)

Bangkok Airways sponsored the Samui Half-Marathon in 2024, but the 2025 edition’s date has yet to be announced. This half-marathon has several categories, including a kid’s race, a 5km fun run, a 10 km mini-marathon, and the 21km half marathon.

3. Samui Open Beach Volleyball (March 21-23)

An event that will be held at the famed Chaweng Beach, the Samui Open Beach Volleyball event, also includes a training camp a few days before the tournament. As an open beach volleyball tournament, it attracts amateur and professional players worldwide, creating a thrilling atmosphere for sports enthusiasts.

4. Samui Neon Run (TBD)

Koh Smaui’s commitment to sports tourism is alive and kicking, with the Samui Neon Run one of the much-anticipated events in 2025. For an evening, participants put on backlights and glowing paint, thus, the “neon” feature of the run. It’s an event organized by the management of Central Samui Shopping Center and in coordination with the Koh Samui local tourism ministry.

Other exciting events on the island include Koh Pangan’s Full Moon parties, the Samui Carnival, and other musical events.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Koh Samui’s charm lies in its laid-back atmosphere and natural beauty. Still, when a warm and inviting community embraces the island, holidays and festivities offer more than just crowds and thrills. They give you a holiday that’s more than just memorable; they give you experiences you’ll keep coming back to.

Whether a public holiday or special event is happening in the coconut island, book your Koh Samui luxury private villa and experience all it offers for a truly unforgettable vacation.

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Featured Image by Diwerent