Songkran (Thai: สงกรานต์) is a traditional Thai New Year festival where people enjoy themselves by throwing water at each other. 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 April 13th every year. If you are in Thailand, you would find yourself … [Read more...] about Traditional Thai New Year | Songkran Festival
Thai Culture
Loy Krathong Festival
THAI NAME: วันลอยกระทง DATE: 19th November 2021 Loi Krathong festival (ประเพณีลอยกระทง) is celebrated throughout Thailand. It takes place on the evening of the full moon night of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar which is a great flood season; it usually falls in November (พฤศจิกายน). The word ลอย /loi/ means ‘to float’ and … [Read more...] about Loy Krathong Festival
Makha Bucha Day
Makha Bucha 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. “Makha” is the Pali word for the third Lunar month, while “bucha” means to honor or to venerate. Since Makha Bucha is based on the lunar calendar, the date varies from year to year. This year Makha Bucha day is on 19 … [Read more...] about Makha Bucha Day
VIDEO: Traditional Thai Isan Wedding Ceremony
I have been to many traditional Thai wedding ceremonies and Thai wedding parties, but this was my first time to attend a traditional Isan wedding which is called บายศรีสู่ขวัญ Bai Sri Su Kwan. It was our lovely teacher Pear's wedding. The event took place in Mahasarakham province in Northeastern Thailand. I filmed the event from the beginning to the end. It is my pleasure to … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Traditional Thai Isan Wedding Ceremony
VIDEO: Cheesy Line for Loy Krathong Festival
For some Thais, Loy Krathong festival (ประเพณีลอยกระทง) is a kind of Valentines'day. It is an opportunity to ask your crush out to go out on a magical full moon night. In this video I have some useful phrases and a cheesy line you can use during this beautiful festival, try them and have a wonderful time! :) Let's also look at some useful sentences you can ask your Thai … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Cheesy Line for Loy Krathong Festival
วันวิสาขบูชา (Visakha Bucha Day)
Visakha Bucha Day (วันวิสาขบูชา) or Wan Pra Yai วันพระใหญ่ 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 : 1. The Buddha's Birth (ประสูติ) 2. The Enlightenment of Buddha (ตรัสรู้) - While sitting under the Bodhi tree, he found his answer and … [Read more...] about วันวิสาขบูชา (Visakha Bucha Day)
VIDEO: How to Pronounce “Songkran” Correctly
Thai New Year or "สงกรานต์ Songkran" is celebrated on April 13th every year. If you are in Thailand, you would find yourself swept up in festivities for three, five or even 10 days, depending on your specific location in the country. สงกรานต์ Songkran comes from a Sanskrit word ส-กรานต which means ‘to pass’ or ‘move into’ and indicates the passing of the sun, moon and other … [Read more...] about VIDEO: How to Pronounce “Songkran” Correctly
Thailand’s New Banknotes with King Rama X
King Maha Vajiralongkorn, or King Rama X, ascended to the throne in December 2016. Now he’s finally taking his place on Thailand’s currency. According to a press release dated 8 March 2018, the Bank of Thailand plans to introduce the 17th series of notes. The fronts feature the new king, Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, and the backs features two kings in order … [Read more...] about Thailand’s New Banknotes with King Rama X
King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Birthday Anniversary
Until 13 October 2016, 5 December had long been celebrated as the King Bhumibol Adulyadej ’s Birthday, as well as being marked as Father's Day in Thailand. As of 2017, though, the King’s Birthday public holiday has moved to 28 July, the birthday of new King Vajiralongkorn, or King Rama X. Nevertheless, 05 December remains an important public holiday in remembrance of King … [Read more...] about King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Birthday Anniversary
The Royal Crematorium
On October 13, 2016, a great sadness enveloped the people of Thailand, following the death of the late monarch, His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej Boromnathbobitra (Rama IX) Even though it has been almost a year, the sadness never ceases. The royal funeral is scheduled for October 25-29, 2017, with the roal cremation itself taking place on October 26, between 5.30 … [Read more...] about The Royal Crematorium
Trimurti Shrine – Bangkok Shrine of Love
I was one of the bridesmaids of my good friend’s wedding. It was a lovely party all around. Every couple has their own how-we-met story, and we were talking about what really brought them together. I would like to share an interesting side of the love story related to Thai believe. I believe many of you have been to Bangkok and have heard of the Central World shopping … [Read more...] about Trimurti Shrine – Bangkok Shrine of Love
Sweet Thai Idioms and Proverbs
Teacher Pear and I met up in a cafe in Bangkok for an afternoon sweet treat. We were talking about how much we loved eating dessert and it let us to an old saying "กินคาวไม่กินหวานสันดานไพร่ gin kaao mâi gin wăan săn-daan prâi/". People in this generation like to jokingly use it as an excuse to eat more sugar. We found this expression interesting and would like to share with … [Read more...] about Sweet Thai Idioms and Proverbs
National Children’s Day in Thailand
Thailand celebrates its National Children’s Day (วันเด็กแห่งชาติ) on the second Saturday in January. Every year on this day, there are campaigns to indicate that children are the most valuable resource of the nation.The Prime Minister will establish the motto for children. Here is what was chosen by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha: คำขวัญวันเด็กแห่งชาติ 2561: รู้คิด … [Read more...] about National Children’s Day in Thailand
How do Thai People Celebrate New Year?
A lot of people asked me if Thai people celebrate New Year like the rest of the world as the traditional Thai New Year is on 13th of April known as ‘Songkran’. The answer is ‘yes’. Thai people have been celebrating the 1st of January as the first day of the year for almost 70 years. The New Year is a long holiday in Thailand from 31st December to 3rd January. Many people … [Read more...] about How do Thai People Celebrate New Year?
10 Different Types of Krathongs for The Loi Krathong Festival
Loy Krathong is one of Thailand’s most important festivals. As the exact date of the holiday is determined by the Thai lunar calendar, the date is different each year. The festival normally falls in November. The festival starts in the evening when there is a full moon in the sky. Participants carry their Krathongs to the nearby rivers, canals, lake, or ponds. What is … [Read more...] about 10 Different Types of Krathongs for The Loi Krathong Festival
Thailand Vegetarian Festival is Now!
It's the most wonderful time of the year for Thailand's meat-averse, with the nation's Thai-Chinese population kicking off a 9-day vegan diet as part of the annual Vegetarian Festival (ประเพณีถือศีลกินเจ). Thailand Vegetarian Festival takes place for nine days and nine nights . (Some Thai people will hold the precepts for a total of 10 days.) The festival is celebrated on … [Read more...] about Thailand Vegetarian Festival is Now!
Thai Wedding Party
Previously I talked about the beautiful and unique traditional Thai wedding many times. My younger sister just got married and it made me thinking that there are some interesting aspects in the wedding party in Thailand that are worth sharing. When Thai couples tie the knot, there are two wedding events; traditional Thai ceremony and the wedding party. Some couples do both … [Read more...] about Thai Wedding Party
Thai Amulets
Most visitors to Thailand might have noticed that many Thai people wear amulets (พระเครื่อง prá-krûeang). Thai amulets are special Buddha images. They are made of an almost infinite variety of substances , gold, silver, platinum, copper etc. There are probably a million different styles of Buddha amulets in Thailand. The amulet is worn around the neck often with gold or silver … [Read more...] about Thai Amulets
Thai and Western Cultural Differences
Pear and I visited Prague in Czech Republic and Dresden in Germany for 8 days in last week of June. We had a good time meeting new people, trying new flavors, experience different weather and seeing many interesting things. I have observed some cultural differences, and unalike etiquette of life and would like to share my observations with … [Read more...] about Thai and Western Cultural Differences
Thai Calendar
Before the current calendar, Thailand used lunar calendar (Thai: ปฏิทินจันทรคติ /bpà-dtì-tin jan-tá-rá ká-dtì/) which is a calendar that is based on cycles of the lunar phase. Until year 1889 in the reign of King rama V, Thailand formally announced to use the solar calendar (Thai : ปฏิทินสุริยคติ bpà-dtì-tin sù-rí-yá ká-dtì/) in which the years are counted in the Buddhist Era … [Read more...] about Thai Calendar