Ramadan Set to Begin This Weekend in Thailand and Around The Globe

As the sun sets this Friday, February 28th, 2025, Thailand’s Muslim community will join millions around the world in welcoming the holy month of Ramadan. This sacred period, marking the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community for Muslims globally.

Ramadan’s start hinges on the sighting of the crescent moon, a tradition that blends faith with anticipation. In Thailand, as in many parts of the world, religious leaders and local communities are preparing to look skyward after sunset on Friday. If the crescent moon is spotted, Ramadan will officially commence on Saturday, March 1, with the first day of fasting kicking off at dawn. Should the moon remain elusive, the holy month will begin on Sunday, March 2. This variability reflects the lunar calendar’s rhythm, which shifts the timing of Ramadan by about 11 days earlier each year compared to the solar calendar.

This year, astronomical predictions suggest a strong likelihood of the moon being visible on Friday evening, aligning Thailand’s start date with much of the Muslim world, including neighboring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. The Thai Islamic authorities, including local moon-sighting committees, will make the final call, a moment eagerly awaited by the faithful.

Thailand, a predominantly Buddhist nation, is home to a vibrant Muslim minority, making up roughly 5% of its 70 million people. Concentrated largely in the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and Satun—the Muslim community brings Ramadan to life with a blend of Islamic devotion and local traditions.

From dawn until dusk each day, Muslims in Thailand will abstain from food, drink, and other physical indulgences, focusing instead on spiritual growth. The pre-dawn meal, suhoor, often features simple yet hearty fare like rice porridge or dates, fueling the faithful for the day ahead. At sunset, the breaking of the fast, known as iftar, becomes a communal celebration. Mosques and homes buzz with activity as families gather to share dates—traditionally the first bite—followed by dishes like spicy curries, fresh seafood, and sweet desserts such as khao niao mamuang (mango sticky rice) adapted for the occasion.

In urban centers like Bangkok and Pattaya, where Muslim communities are smaller but growing, Ramadan takes on a cosmopolitan flair. Street vendors near mosques offer halal treats, and interfaith friends often join in iftar meals.

Charity, a pillar of Islam, also shines during Ramadan. In southern Thailand, communities organize food drives and share iftar with those in need, while in cities, donations to mosques and welfare groups spike.

For Thailand’s Muslims, Ramadan 2025 arrives amid a backdrop of both anticipation and resilience. In the deep south, where a decades-long insurgency has simmered, the holy month often serves as a call for peace and reconciliation, though security concerns can temper public gatherings. Meanwhile, across the country, the faithful balance fasting with daily life—students, workers, and farmers alike adjusting to the physical demands of abstinence in Thailand’s tropical heat.

The month will culminate in Eid al-Fitr, expected around March 30 or 31, depending on the moon’s sighting once more. This joyous festival will see families donning colorful attire, exchanging gifts, and feasting together, marking the end of a transformative journey.