What Year Is It in Thailand? The Thai Calendar Explained (2568 B.E.)

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By Portail Asie Editorial Team

🔄 Last updated on October 6, 2025

Ever seen the year 2568 on a document in Thailand and thought you’d time-traveled? You haven’t. You’ve just encountered the Thai solar calendar, which is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.

This guide will simply explain why Thailand has a different year, how to convert the dates, and how it impacts your travel. No more confusion, guaranteed.

How to Convert Thai Dates to Gregorian (and Vice Versa)

Converting dates is the most common question travelers have. It’s actually very simple.

To convert a year from the Gregorian calendar (like 2025) to the Thai Buddhist calendar, just add 543. That means 2025 becomes 2568 B.E..

To convert from a Thai year back to a Gregorian year, simply subtract 543.

✅ Beware: Some travelers confuse the two and enter the wrong format on documents. You may see wild mistakes like “0256”. Always confirm whether the form asks for B.E. or C.E. format.

Good to know: Use tools like this Thai date converter to avoid manual errors when converting dates.

Thai Solar Calendar vs. Lunar Calendar: What’s the Difference?

Thailand officially uses two main calendars, each with a distinct purpose.

Candles and incense offered during a Thai Buddhist ceremony related to the lunar calendar
Offerings of candles and incense during a Thai lunar festival, such as Makha Bucha or Visakha Bucha.

The Thai Solar Calendar (The Official One)

In 1888, King Rama V introduced the solar calendar in Thailand, drawing inspiration from the Gregorian model. It wasn’t until 1941 that January 1st officially marked the start of the year. However, instead of the Common Era (C.E.), it follows the Buddhist Era (B.E.), which is always 543 years ahead.

This is the calendar you’ll see on official documents, in schools, and for business contracts. For instance, the year 2025 becomes 2568 B.E., often written with Thai numerals: ๒๕๖๘.

Tip: Thai numerals show up frequently on public signs, official papers, and money. Being able to recognize them is a useful skill!

The Thai Lunar Calendar (The Traditional One)

The Thai lunar calendar is a luni-solar system deeply rooted in Buddhism. It tracks moon phases and is essential for determining religious events like Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, and Asalha Bucha. Temples organize rituals based on this calendar, and many Thai families use it to choose auspicious dates for weddings or other milestones.

🕯️ Events such as the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival follow this lunar system, especially during observances like Khao Phansa, the start of Buddhist Lent.

Thai vs. Western Calendars: A Quick Comparison

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the Gregorian, Thai solar, and Thai lunar calendars:

Element Gregorian Thai Solar Thai Lunar
Current Year 2025 2568 B.E. Varies
Starting Point Birth of Jesus Death of Buddha Moon cycles
New Year January 1 January 1 Changes yearly (Songkran)
Usage Global standard Government & legal documents Religious ceremonies
A person pouring water over a Buddha statue during Songkran in Thailand, symbolizing respect and purification
Water pouring over a Buddha statue during Songkran, a key tradition of the Thai New Year celebration.

Key Thai Holidays You Should Know

The Thai calendar dictates many of the country’s most important holidays:

  • Songkran (April 13–15): The traditional Thai New Year celebration.
  • Makha Bucha: A Buddhist holiday on the full moon of the third lunar month (usually February or March).
  • Visakha Bucha: Celebrates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death on the full moon of the sixth lunar month (usually May).
  • Other key dates include King’s Birthday, National Day, and Constitution Day.

📍 Take note: During religious holidays, alcohol sales are restricted, and nightlife venues may close temporarily.

Heads up: Thai public holidays—especially religious ones—shift yearly. See our updated guide to public holidays in Thailand for details.

The Thai Calendar in Everyday Life: Where You’ll See It

Most Thai schools operate on the solar calendar, starting in May. However, holidays and local events often follow the lunar calendar.

Documents like birth certificates, driver’s licenses, or visa papers usually only mention the B.E. year. So if you see “expiry: 2569” on a visa—it’s totally normal!

Many Thai people also rely on astrology tied to the lunar system, picking favorable days to get married, move house, or start a new venture.

FAQ about the Thai Calendar

Why does Thailand have more than one New Year?

Thailand observes three different New Year events: the official one on January 1st, the traditional Songkran festival in April, and Chinese New Year, which follows the lunar calendar and varies each year.

What is a Buddhist year exactly?

It’s calculated from the death of the Buddha, which is believed to have occurred 543 years before the start of the Gregorian calendar. So, 2025 + 543 = 2568 B.E.

How do I know if a Thai year is B.E. or C.E.?

If the number is above 2500, it’s almost certainly B.E. The context is also a key indicator: official Thai documents, contracts, and government websites use the Buddhist system.

📖 Final Thoughts

Understanding the Thai calendar gives you a real edge—whether you’re traveling, relocating, or just curious about Thai culture. Once you get the hang of adding or subtracting 543, you’ll appreciate how beautifully it connects Thailand’s past and present, tradition and modernity.

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About Oliver

Passionate traveler, founder of Portail Asie & expat in Thailand
Since my first trip to Thailand in 2009, Southeast Asia became more than a destination—it became my daily life. Now based in Thailand, I created Portail Asie to offer an alternative to impersonal guidebooks. Every piece of advice you read here comes from direct experience: places I've actually explored, businesses I've tested on the ground, and unfiltered feedback. My goal is to provide you with reliable, current, and authentic information so you can experience Asia just as I do every day. 👉 Find my full story on the About page.

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