Festivals and wishes: all words and phrases
Thai script, pronunciation and meaning. Show it to someone and they can read it straight away. + khráp / khâ = add khráp (man) or khâ (woman) at the end.
เทศกาล
thêet-sà-kaan
Meaning: festival
sǒng-kraan
Meaning: Songkran (Thai New Year)
💡 13 to 15 April, celebrated with water fights all over the country.
- + khráp / khâ
sùk-sǎn wan sǒng-kraan
Meaning: Happy Songkran!
สาดน้ำ
sàat náam
Meaning: splash water
ปืนฉีดน้ำ
puen chìit-náam
Meaning: water gun
rót-náam-dam-hǔa
Meaning: pour water on elders' hands (Songkran blessing)
💡 The quiet, respectful side of Songkran: young people ask elders for a blessing.
loi-krà-thong
Meaning: Loy Krathong (festival of lights)
💡 On the full moon of the 12th lunar month, usually November.
krà-thong
Meaning: krathong (floating offering)
💡 Choose one made of banana trunk or bread, not styrofoam.
yîi-peng
Meaning: Yi Peng (Chiang Mai lantern festival)
khoom-loi
Meaning: sky lantern
💡 Releasing lanterns is only allowed at licensed events and times.
- + khráp / khâ
สวัสดีปีใหม่
sà-wàt-dii pii-mài
Meaning: Happy New Year
- + khráp / khâ
สุขสันต์วันปีใหม่
sùk-sǎn wan pii-mài
Meaning: Happy New Year (more formal, on cards)
trùt-jiin
Meaning: Chinese New Year
thêet-sà-kaan kin-jee
Meaning: Vegetarian Festival
💡 Nine days in the ninth Chinese lunar month, best known in Phuket.
wan maa-khá-buu-chaa
Meaning: Makha Bucha Day
wan wí-sǎa-khá-buu-chaa
Meaning: Visakha Bucha Day
khâo-phan-sǎa
Meaning: start of Buddhist Lent
bâng-fai
Meaning: rocket festival
phǐi-taa-khǒon
Meaning: Phi Ta Khon (ghost festival)
ขบวนแห่
khà-buan-hàe
Meaning: parade
ดอกไม้ไฟ
dàwk-máai-fai
Meaning: fireworks
- + khráp / khâ
สุขสันต์วันแห่งความรัก
sùk-sǎn wan hàeng khwaam-rák
Meaning: Happy Valentine's Day
- + khráp / khâ
สุขสันต์วันเกิด
sùk-sǎn wan-kòet
Meaning: Happy birthday
- + khráp / khâ
ขอให้มีความสุข
khǎw hâi mii khwaam-sùk
Meaning: I wish you happiness
💡 A warm wish for any festival or birthday.