Visakha Bucha 2027
Visakha Bucha (วันวิสาขบูชา) falls on Thursday, 20 May 2027 in 2027, waxing day 15, 6th month. Here is what the day commemorates, what people do and its dates for the coming years, worked out from the Thai lunar calendar.
- วันวิสาขบูชา
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What Visakha Bucha commemorates
According to tradition, the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and passed away (parinibbana) on the full moon of the sixth month, years apart. It is the most important Buddhist festival, recognised by the United Nations in 1999 as the International Day of Vesak.
What people do on the day
Alms giving, a sermon, keeping the precepts and an evening candle procession (wian thian) at every temple. Many families go to the temple together or make a donation that day.
Visakha 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 Visakha 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
Visakha Bucha falls every year on waxing day 15, 6th 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, 7th month.
Visakha 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 20 May 2027 Thursday waxing day 15, 6th month 2028 8 May 2028 Monday waxing day 15, 6th month 2029 (adhikamat year) 27 May 2029 Sunday waxing day 15, 7th month 2030 16 May 2030 Thursday waxing day 15, 6th month 2031 (adhikamat year) 5 June 2031 Thursday waxing day 15, 7th month 2032 24 May 2032 Monday waxing day 15, 6th month 2033 13 May 2033 Friday waxing day 15, 6th month 2034 (adhikamat year) 1 June 2034 Thursday waxing day 15, 7th month
These tools give general information. They do not replace the advice of a doctor or a qualified professional.
Frequently asked questions
- When is Visakha Bucha in 2027?
- Visakha Bucha 2027 falls on Thursday, 20 May 2027, waxing day 15, 6th month. The following year it will be on Monday, 8 May 2028.
- Why does the date of Visakha Bucha change every year?
- Because it follows the Thai lunar calendar: waxing day 15, 6th 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 Visakha Bucha a public holiday?
- Visakha 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 Visakha Bucha?
- Alcohol sales are banned on Visakha 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 Visakha Bucha?
- Alms giving, a sermon, keeping the precepts and an evening candle procession (wian thian) at every temple. Many families go to the temple together or make a donation that day.