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    3. Teachers' Day (Wai Khru)

    National · Schools and universities (e.g. Chulalongkorn University), Bangkok · Bangkok

    Teachers' Day (Wai Khru)

    วันครู

    On 16 January Thai pupils honour their teachers with a Wai Khru ceremony.

    16 January 2027

    Free entry1 day

    📅 When and where📍 On the map

    Students holding flower offerings (phan wai khru) on Teachers’ Day (photo: Pitpisit, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)
    Photo: Pitpisit, CC BY-SA 4.0

    When and where

    2026 · Past16 January 2026
    2027 · Confirmed16 January 2027📅 Add to your calendar (.ics)
    PlaceSchools and universities (e.g. Chulalongkorn University), BangkokBangkok · location approximate

    When: 16 January

    Rule: Fixed date. 2026: Friday 16 January; 2027: Saturday 16 January.

    Dates can change. Check the current date shortly before your trip with the local organisers or the tourist office.

    About Teachers' Day (Wai Khru)

    On 16 January Thai pupils honour their teachers with a Wai Khru ceremony. Students kneel and offer flowers, incense, candles and a small gift basket. It is a ritual expression of respect for knowledge and those who pass it on. The day is not a holiday for education: schools stay open and hold the ceremony. For travellers it is a good chance to see a bit of Thai school culture.

    Getting there

    Every town has schools; Bangkok is easiest with BTS/MRT.

    Highlights

    • Wai Khru Pupils kneel and offer flowers and incense.
    • Culture of respect Respect for teachers is deeply rooted in Thai culture.
    • School ceremonies Schools hold ceremonies with music and prayer.

    Tips for Teachers' Day (Wai Khru)

    • Do not enter schools without permission; ask for an invitation.
    • It is not a day off for banks or offices.

    Teachers' Day (Wai Khru) on the map

    Pinch to zoom; tap a point for more info. Open circles: approximate location.

    The location on the map is approximate.

    Celebrated nationwide; the map shows Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok as an example.

    🗺️ View on OpenStreetMap (zoomed in)

    Frequently asked questions about Teachers' Day (Wai Khru)

    When is Teachers' Day (Wai Khru) in 2026?

    Teachers' Day falls in 2026 on 16 January and is celebrated nationwide; a well-known spot is Schools and universities (e.g. Chulalongkorn University), Bangkok. Rule: 16 January. An official or clearly documented source confirms this date.

    When is Teachers' Day (Wai Khru) in 2027?

    Teachers' Day falls in 2027 on 16 January and is celebrated nationwide; a well-known spot is Schools and universities (e.g. Chulalongkorn University), Bangkok. Rule: 16 January. An official or clearly documented source confirms this date.

    Where is the best place to see Teachers' Day (Wai Khru)?

    Watch it best at Schools and universities (e.g. Chulalongkorn University), Bangkok. Pupils kneel and offer flowers and incense. Every town has schools; Bangkok is easiest with BTS/MRT. Respect for teachers is deeply rooted in Thai culture. Highlight: School ceremonies – Schools hold ceremonies with music and prayer. On 16 January Thai pupils honour their teachers with a Wai Khru ceremony.

    Festivals near Schools and universities (e.g. Chulalongkorn University), Bangkok

    Also in January

    Cities and villages nearby

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    Sources

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