Encapsulation behavior of 4-(2-thiazolyazo)resorcinol (TAR) and 2-(2-thiazolyazo)-p-cresol (TAC) with two cyclodextrins (alpha-CD and beta-CD) were analyzed by UV-visible, fluorescence, time resolved fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and molecular modeling methods. With an increase in the CD concentrations, no considerable absorbance difference was observed in TAR and TAC but the fluorescence intensity increased. Compared to water solution, both azo dyes show longer life time in CD solutions. In non-polar solvent, the absorption wavelength observed at 440 nm suggests intramolecular hydrogen bonding (IHB) present between the OH " " -N=N groups. The chemical shift values suggest that thiazole ring of the dye is included in the CD cavities and the phenol ring present to edge of the CD cavities. In TAC, SEM image revealed the presence of irregular shape crystals agglomerated rod with CD. Binding energy, All and AG values indicate that both azo dyes form stable inclusion complex. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.