Thai Solar Calendar vs Gregorian Calendar

Thailand has used the Thai Solar Calendar, also known as the Buddhist calendar, ever since it was adopted for use by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in AD 1888. It is the legal calendar in Thailand,

For other countries, the Gregorian calendar, also known as the Western calendar or Christian calendar, is more widely used. 

Difference Between the Two Calendars – Counting Years

The Thai calendar differs from the Western calendar when counting years. Years in the Thai calendar are 543 years greater than those in the Western calendar.

So when you are converting a year from the:

• Western to Thai calendar: add 543
• Thai to Western calendar: subtract 543

For example, the Thai year 2559 is equivalent to the Western year 2016.

Why Should You Know This

This is important as Thais may use either the Thai or Western in various situations. For example, the Thai calendar is often in official documents and news reports while the Western calendar is used more in everyday situations.

However, there is no confusion over the calendars as Thais are well aware that of the use of both types. 

This knowledge is also essential to everyday encounters. For example, older Thais are more familiar with the Thai calendar and usually will refer to it when referring to dates.

Another example involves the manufacturing/expiry dates of the products that you buy. These can be indicated according to the Western or Thai calendar. So do not be startled if you see a year of expiry is in 59!

This expiry date is in the Western calendar format. 

This expiry date is in the Western calendar format. 

This expiry date is in the Thai calendar format.