Songkran (Thai: สงกรานต์) is a traditional Thai New Year festival where people enjoy themselves by throwing water at each other. The Significance of Songkran In Sanskrit, the word Songkran means ‘to pass’ or ‘move into’ and indicates the passing of the sun, moon and other planets into a new zodiac orbit. Songkran is celebrated on [...]
Tag Archives | Living in Thailand
Loy Kratong Festival
Sawatdee ka, Every year the Loy Kratong Festival falls on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, this year the festival falls on the 10th of November.The festival originally started from the Sukhothai period a symbolic tradition, as one floats away their Kratong at the same time it releases bad luck or vibes, [...]
Thai language tips – verb to want
Sawatdee ka tuk-kon; Hi everyone, Today I have a basic verb that is often mistakenly used, verb to “want” = อยาก [yàak] The reason that makes many people confused when using this word is in English you can say I want beer., she wants a Porche. [ verb to want + object], BUT in Thai [...]
Thailand Vegetarian Festival is now!
Sawatdee ka, It’s the most wonderful time of the year for Thailand’s meat-averse, with the nation’s Thai-Chinese population kicking off a 10-day vegan diet on Monday as part of the annual Vegetarian Festival. The festival is celebrated on the ninth Chinese lunar month, which this year runs from October 14th – 24th 2012. During this [...]
Elephant Polo in Thailand
Elephant Polo: The Biggest, Weirdest, Slowest, and Most Expensive Game in Thailand Yes, before you ask, elephant polo is played on the back of an elephant. The price tags associated with elephant polo are massive as the elephants themselves. The only thing small about elephant polo is the circuit on which it is played. It [...]
วันวิสาขบูชา (Wisaka Bucha Day)
Wisakha Bucha Day marks the three important incidents in the life of Lord Buddha (พระพุทธเจ้า) on the same day – the full moon of the sixth lunar month. The three significant separate events are :
Coronation Day (วันฉัตรมงคล)
Coronation Day (วันฉัตรมงคล [wan chat-mong-kol]) The coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej took place on 5 May 1950. His Majesty is the ninth King of the Chakri Dynasty. On 5 May of every year, the Thai people rejoice and express their affection and loyalty to him by organizing a celebration on his coronation day. [...]
Traditional Songkran
Water wars are undoubtedly the focus of modern-day Songkran festivities but they are not the only mode of celebration. The festival is observed in a variety of other ways although is often the central theme. On the first day of Songkran, which is a day to honour the elderly, an old custom called Rod [...]
Thai Traditional Ceremony – The Engagement
Traditionally, the engagement is performed well in advance of the wedding, just as in western culture, but recently, it has become common for it to be carried out on the wedding day. The engagement is historically a way of introducing the bride to the groom, who has been selected by her parents and gives a [...]
Thai Traditional Ceremony – symbolic doors
Barring the Groom from approaching the Bride (พิธีกั้นประตู) In order for the wedding to continue, the groom must bring the bride from her room to join him for the Kan Maak ceremony. However, before this can happen, the groom must successfully pass through a number of obstacles that are put in the groom’s way by the [...]
Learn Thai – Sepak Takraw
Sawatdii ka, Do you know Sepak Takraw? Last Satureday I saw a group of taxi motorcycle riders in my soi playing Sepak Takraw on the side of the street, so I thought I needed to find out more about this and share in my blog. Sepak Takraw (เซปักตะกร้อ) was created by the royal family of Malaysia about 500 years [...]
Learn Thai culture – Makabucha Day
Makabucha Day (วันมาฆบูชา) is a Buddhist holiday, which takes place annually on the night of the full moon during the third lunar month of the year. Makabucha is the day to remind all the Buddhist of the event when 1250 monks, all of which were ordained by Lord Buddha himself, decided to come back to [...]
Learn Thai – Sweet words for your Valentine’s day♥
sawatdii ka, Love is in the air, it is the month of LOVE. I would like to take this opportunity to talk about some expressions that you could use on your lovely day or actually anyday;) Valentine’s day is the day of love so in Thai it is called “wan hàng kwaam rák” วันแห่งความรัก 1. [...]
Speak like a Thai – Polite particle ‘jâ’
Sawatdii kâ, Thai language has a lot of polite particles. Today I would like to talk about the polite particle “jâ” (falling tone) จ้ะ. “jâ” used by adult male&femail speakers at the end of a statement when speaking to children and people of inferior status; between males and females denotes anything from easy familiarity to [...]
Chinese New Year in Thailand
Sawatdii ka, One of the important festivals in Thailand is coming up soon, Chinese New Year. (Wan trut jiin) วันตรุษจีน Every year, many people in Thailand with Chinese ancestors, celebrate the Chinese New Year with elaborate ceremonies. This year which is the year of the rabbit starts on February 3, 2011. It is the tradition [...]
Requests for information
Hi everyone, Basic reuests for information can be prefaced by ”kŏr-tôot ” (excuse me) However, please always remind yourself to use polite particle for politenessas below: “kŏr-tôot kráp” for males. “kŏr-tôot kâ” for females. Example: kŏr-tôot kráp/kâ, hôrng-nám yùu tîi-năi kráp/ ká ขอโทษครับ/ค่ะ ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหนครับ/คะ Excuse me, Where is the bathroom? kŏr-tôot kráp/kâ, rót òrk gìi moong kráp/ kâ ขอโทษครับ/ค่ะ รถออกกี่โมง Excuse me, what [...]
