Thais and foreign residents will enjoy a three-day holiday break starting this Saturday thanks to two Buddhist celebrations that fall on Saturday and Sunday.

The Saturday, 8 July, marks the full-moon Asarnha Bucha Day, (15th day of the eighth month), while Khao Phansa (Buddhist lent) is celebrated, 9 July, when Buddhist monks are confined to their temples during the traditional rice planting and harvest months.

Monday 10 July is a substitute for Asarnha Bucha Day.

The long weekend will encourage people to travel, although the two religious holidays come with a total alcohol ban at bars and entertainment spots in tourist destinations. Most bars will close. Hotels can serve alcohol to their guests.

The Ministry of Public Health has urged Thais to abstain from alcohol during the three-month period. It has also recommended that bars and hotels suspend their happy hour promotions during the three months.

The Buddhist religious ceremonies are also celebrated in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, parts of India.