Asanha Bucha 2027
Asanha Bucha (วันอาสาฬหบูชา) falls on Sunday, 18 July 2027 in 2027, waxing day 15, 8th month. Here is what the day commemorates, what people do and its dates for the coming years, worked out from the Thai lunar calendar.
- วันอาสาฬหบูชา
Try the tool
What Asanha Bucha commemorates
On the full moon of the eighth month, the Buddha gave his first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, to five ascetics in the deer park at Isipatana. The first of them, Kondanna, became a monk, so the Buddha, his teaching and the monastic community (the Triple Gem) came together for the first time. The festival was established in Thailand in 1958.
What people do on the day
Alms giving, a sermon and an evening candle procession. It is the eve of the rains retreat, so people prepare the large Lent candles.
Asanha Bucha is a public holiday for government offices; banks and many businesses also close. When it falls on a weekend, a substitute day off is often given.
Alcohol sales are banned on Asanha Bucha, with exceptions (international airport terminals, registered hotels and licensed entertainment venues), under the Prime Minister's Office notice of 2025.
How the date is set
Asanha Bucha falls every year on waxing day 15, 8th month. Because the Thai lunar year has 354 days, the calendar date moves 11 days earlier from one year to the next, then about 19 days later in adhikamat years, when an extra eighth month is added.
In adhikamat years, the festival moves one lunar month later: waxing day 15, second 8th month.
Asanha Bucha dates from 2027 to 2034
Dates computed from the Thai lunar calendar and checked against the official calendar up to 2027. For later years, a one-day difference remains possible.
Year Date Day Lunar date 2027 18 July 2027 Sunday waxing day 15, 8th month 2028 6 July 2028 Thursday waxing day 15, 8th month 2029 (adhikamat year) 25 July 2029 Wednesday waxing day 15, second 8th month 2030 15 July 2030 Monday waxing day 15, 8th month 2031 (adhikamat year) 3 August 2031 Sunday waxing day 15, second 8th month 2032 22 July 2032 Thursday waxing day 15, 8th month 2033 11 July 2033 Monday waxing day 15, 8th month 2034 (adhikamat year) 30 July 2034 Sunday waxing day 15, second 8th month
These tools give general information. They do not replace the advice of a doctor or a qualified professional.
Frequently asked questions
- When is Asanha Bucha in 2027?
- Asanha Bucha 2027 falls on Sunday, 18 July 2027, waxing day 15, 8th month. The following year it will be on Thursday, 6 July 2028.
- Why does the date of Asanha Bucha change every year?
- Because it follows the Thai lunar calendar: waxing day 15, 8th month. The lunar year is shorter than the solar year, so the calendar date moves by several weeks from one year to the next.
- Is Asanha Bucha a public holiday?
- Asanha Bucha is a public holiday for government offices; banks and many businesses also close. When it falls on a weekend, a substitute day off is often given.
- Can you buy alcohol on Asanha Bucha?
- Alcohol sales are banned on Asanha Bucha, with exceptions (international airport terminals, registered hotels and licensed entertainment venues), under the Prime Minister's Office notice of 2025.
- What do people do on Asanha Bucha?
- Alms giving, a sermon and an evening candle procession. It is the eve of the rains retreat, so people prepare the large Lent candles.