People are pretty much the same. We’re born, live our life, and in the end, we die. However, the life events people celebrate and experience around the world are not always the same. This is because each country has its own culture, traditions, and beliefs, which causes people the world over to pay attention to different events in life.
In this lesson, you’ll get to learn about life events in Thai. ThaiPod101.com will teach you about important life events in Thailand, what happens during those events, and what you’re supposed to say (like Happy Birthday in Thai or how to wish a happy new year in Thai). As mentioned earlier, these events are influenced by culture, tradition, and beliefs, so you’ll also get to learn more about Thai people in those respects as well.
There are many important life events in Thailand, and many Thai congratulations and condolences you can offer. And we have good news for you: all of these messages can be used for both speaking and writing!
Table of Contents
- Birthdays in Thailand
- Graduation in Thailand
- Ordination Ceremony in Thailand
- Weddings in Thailand
- Pregnancy in Thai
- New House
- New Business or Business Anniversary
- Visiting Injured/Sick People
- Funerals in Thai
- Holidays in Thailand
- Conclusion
1. Birthdays in Thailand
It’s natural for people to pay attention to birthdays. After all, it marks the beginning of a person’s life. วันเกิด (wan-gòoet) is “birthday” in Thai. When it comes to birthdays, the questions that may pop into your mind are about how to write “Happy Birthday to you” in Thai or how to sing the Happy Birthday song in Thai. Don’t worry; we’ll get everything covered for you. But before we answer your questions, let’s learn more about this event from a Thai person’s perspective.
Birthdays aren’t considered a very important event in Thailand. Children may get excited for their birthdays, and celebrate with birthday cake and presents from family and friends. When it comes to adults, the level of attention people pay to birthdays in Thailand varies. Some people throw a big party to celebrate a birthday, while others just do merit and go out for a special meal with family, friends, or their lover. Still, some people don’t pay attention to this event at all; it’s just another day for them.
If you live in Thailand or happen to know Thai people and want to wish them a happy birthday in Thai, you should focus on the information below.
1- Happy Birthday in Thai
Thai language: สุขสันต์วันเกิด
Thai pronunciation: sùk-sǎn wan-gòoet
Additional note: This is a very general way to wish someone a happy birthday in Thai, and you can use this in both formal and informal situations. Still, it’s good to know that Thai people often say “Happy Birthday” in English, as well as สุขสันต์วันเกิด (sùk-sǎn wan-gòoet). Now, about the Happy Birthday song in Thai—there is none. Thai people sing the English version.
2- Happy Birthday Wishes in Thai
Thai people often wish for the birthday person to be healthy, wealthy, happy, and to have a good time. Here is a list of formal birthday wishes in Thai you can use.
Wish 1: I wish you to be healthy.
Thai language: ขอให้สุขภาพร่างกายแข็งแรง
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw hâi sùk-khà-phâap-râang-gaai khǎaeng-raaeng
Wish 2: I wish you to be very happy.
Thai language: ขอให้มีความสุขมาก ๆ
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw hâi mii khwaam-sùk mâak-mâak
Wish 3: I wish you to be wealthy.
Thai language: ขอให้ร่ำรวย
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw hâi râm-ruuai
Wish 4: I wish you to have a good year.
Thai language: ขอให้ปีนี้เป็นปีที่ดี
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw hâi bpii-níi bpen bpii thîi dii
3- Happy Birthday Wishes to Elders in Thai
In Thai culture, you can say that you wish something for younger people, but it’s not proper for younger people to do this for elders. This is because, in Thai society, young people are expected to respect people who are older. If you do wish something for an elder, there is a way to say it properly, shown below.
Thai language: ขอให้คุณพระศรีรัตนตรัยบันดาลให้…
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw hâi khun phrá-srǐi-rát-dtà-ná-dtrai ban-daan hâi…
English translation: “May the triple gems wish you…”
Additional note: Since you can’t bless elders directly, you ask a sacred item that Thai people believe blesses them instead. In Thailand, most people are Buddhist, so Thai people often use พระศรีรัตนตรัย (phrá-srǐi-rát-dtà-ná-dtrai), which is “the triple gems.”
2. Graduation in Thailand
พิธีสำเร็จการศึกษา (phí-thii sǎm-rèt gaan-sùek-sǎa), or a “graduation ceremony,” is a big event in Thailand. It’s viewed as the first success in life, as well as a sign that you’ve become an adult; after this, you’re expected to work and take care of yourself. On graduation day, graduated students receive a diploma from the Thai royal family. Family and friends normally come to congratulate graduates with flowers and gifts.
If you happen to have a Thai friend who’s about to graduate, here’s a list of graduation messages in Thai you can use.
1- Happy Graduation in Thai
Thai language: ยินดีด้วยที่เรียนจบ
Thai pronunciation: yin-dii-dûuai thîi riian jòp
Additional note: This is a very typical graduation wish you can use in both formal and informal situations.
2- I would like to congratulate to graduate.
Thai language: ขอแสดงความยินดีกับบัณฑิตใหม่
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw sà-daaeng khwaam-yin-dii gàp ban-dìt mài
Additional note: This is another congratulation in Thai for graduates you can use. This one is more formal than the previous one.
3- Graduation Wishes in Thai
In addition to the two ways of saying congratulations in Thai above, you can also say offer more good wishes to the graduate. These wishes can be used in both formal and informal situations. The basic sentence you should know is ดีใจด้วย ขอให้… (dii-jai-dûuai khǎaw-hâi), which means “I’m so happy for you. I wish (you to be)…”. You can choose one of the wishes listed below to fill the blank.
Wish 1: Be successful in work.
Thai language: ประสบความสำเร็จในการทำงาน
Thai pronunciation: bprà-sòp-khwaam-sǎm-rèt nai gaan-tham-ngaan
Wish 2: Be successful in life.
Thai language: ประสบความสำเร็จในชีวิต
Thai pronunciation: bprà-sòp-khwaam-sǎm-rèt nai chii-wít
Wish 3: A bright and shiny future is waiting for you.
Thai language: มีอนาคตที่สดใสรออยู่
Thai pronunciation: mii a-naa-khót thîi sòt-sǎi raaw yùu
3. Ordination Ceremony in Thailand
งานบวช (ngaan-bùuat) is “ordination ceremony” in Thai. For Buddhist families with son(s), the ordination ceremony is considered a big life event for them. As the head of a family in the future, it’s tradition for males to be ordained for a short period of time to learn the Buddha’s teachings so that he can use them later in life. Family and friends are invited to this ordinations ceremony. ThaiPod101.com will teach you sentences you may hear, and some you can use, to congratulate someone in formal situations.
1- I’m so happy for you.
Thai language: ขอร่วมอนุโมทนาบุญด้วย
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw rûuam à-nú-moo-thá-naa-bun dûuai
Additional note: This Thai message is quite special. It’s used in Buddhism-related situations only. In an ordination ceremony, Thai people use this phrase to show that they’re happy for what you’re doing (getting ordained to be a monk).
2- I hope you will be able to learn Buddha’s teachings well.
Thai language: ขอให้ศึกษาพระธรรมให้เต็มที่
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw hâi sùek-sǎa phrá-tham hâi dtem-thîi
Additional note: You can use this phrase in addition to saying that you’re happy they’re going to study as a monk.
3- You’re becoming a monk so your parents can go to heaven.
Thai language: บวชให้พ่อแม่ได้เกาะชายผ้าเหลืองขึ้นสวรรค์
Thai pronunciation: bùuat hâi phâaw-mâae dâi gàw chaai-phâa-lǔueang khûen sà-wǎn
Additional note: This isn’t a message you say to the host, but is rather a famous saying related to the ordination ceremony which reflects Thai beliefs regarding this matter. Its literal meaning is “ordain so parents can hold the rim of yellow clothes to heaven.” Here’s an explanation: Thai monks have their own outfit, which is a yellow robe. In the ordination ceremony, a new monk wears the yellow robe for the first time, and parents can hold on to the rim of the yellow outfit to the heaven.
4. Weddings in Thailand
Like the rest of the world, a wedding is an important life event in Thailand. Most people, especially women, want to have a wedding ceremony. Some wedding ceremonies are pretty small, and only family and close friends are invited. Some wedding ceremonies, however, can be very big with up to a thousand guests. Normally, at the reception of the wedding, there’s a book for guests to write their wishes to the bride and groom in. If you’re going to a Thai wedding, here are wedding messages in Thai, and other Thai wedding congratulations, you can use.
1- Congratulations on your wedding.
Thai language: ยินดีกับการแต่งงานด้วย
Thai pronunciation: yin-dii gàp gaan-dtàaeng-ngaan dûuai
Additional note: This is a very general way to congratulate the wedding. You can use this in both formal and informal situations.
2- Wedding Wish from an Elder
In Thai society, when an elder offers good wishes to a younger bride and groom, they often use these wishes.
Wish 1: Wish you to love each other until you are old.
Thai language: ขอให้รักกันจนแก่เฒ่า ถือไม้เท้ายอดทองกระบองยอดเพชร
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw hâi rák-gan jon gàae-thâo thǔue-mái-tháo-yâawt-thaawng-grà-baawng- yâawt-phét
Wish 2: Wish you to be together forever and always forgive each other.
Thai language: ขอให้รักกันนาน ๆ หนักนิดเบาหน่อยก็ให้อภัยกันนะ
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw hâi rák gan naan-naan ngàk-nít-bao-nàauy gâaw hâi à-phai gan ná
Wish 3: Wish you to have a lot of children.
Thai language: ขอให้มีลูกเต็มบ้านมีหลานเต็มเมือง
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw hâi mii lûuk dtem bâan mii-lǎan dtem muueang
3- Wedding Wishes from Friends
Wishes from friends are often more playful and informal. Here are the most popular ones.
Wish 1: I’m so happy that you are already married.
Thai language: ดีใจด้วย ขายออกแล้วนะ
Thai pronunciation: dii-jai dûuai khǎai àawk láaeo ná
Wish 2: I’m so happy for you and wish you eternal love.
Thai language: ดีใจด้วย รักกันนาน ๆ นะ
Thai pronunciation: dii-jai dûuai rák gan naan-naan ná
5. Pregnancy in Thai
When you learn that your beloved one is pregnant, naturally, you’re happy for them. In some countries, they do baby showers to congratulate them. However, in Thailand, we don’t do that. Once the new mother gives birth, you go and visit them.
Then, a month after the baby is born, you do an event called ทำขวัญเดือน (tham-kwǎn-duuean) or โกนผมไฟ (goon-phǒm-fai). In this event, the family wishes good things for the baby and celebrates that the baby is safe and healthy. It’s the first time that the baby’s hair is cut. However, only family partakes in this event.
As a friend, if you want to congratulate your Thai friend on their pregnancy or childbirth, you can send them these messages.
1- Wish both mother and baby to be healthy.
Thai language: ขอให้แข็งแรงทั้งคุณแม่และลูก
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw hâi khǎaeng-raaeng tháng khun-mâae láe lûuk
Additional note: This is a Thai wish for both the mother and baby, that you say to the mother. It’s quite common and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
2- Be good kids for mom and dad.
Thai language: เป็นเด็กดีของพ่อแม่นะ
Thai pronunciation: bpen dèk dii khǎawng phâaw-mâae ná
Additional note: This is a Thai wish you say to the baby, although the baby may not understand you yet. When Thai people speak this, they normally use a kind tone.
3- Wish your baby to be healthy and grow up to be a good child.
Thai language: ขอให้ลูกสุขภาพแข็งแรงและเป็นเด็กดี
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw hâi lûuk sùk-khà-phâap khǎaeng-raaeng láe bpen dèk dii
Additional note: This is a Thai wish for the baby that you say to the mother. It’s quite common and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
6. New House
Owning a house or condo in Thailand is viewed as another success. The owner of the house often hosts an event called งานทำบุญขึ้นบ้านใหม่ (ngaan tham-bun-khûen-bâan-mài), which means “merit making for new house,” to celebrate. They may also invite monks to bless the house so that it’s a nice place to live. Family and friends are normally invited to this event.
1- Congratulations on your new house.
Thai language: ยินดีด้วยที่ได้ขึ้นบ้านใหม่
Thai pronunciation: yin-dii dûuai thîi dâi khûen bâan-mài
Additional note: This is a very general way to congratulate the owner of a new house. You can use this in both formal and informal situations.
2- This is a good house, making the occupant rich.
Thai language: บ้านนี้ดี อยู่แล้วรวย
Thai pronunciation: bâan níi dii yùu láaeo ruuai
Additional note: This is one of the wishes Thai people often write down on a card, which they give to the owner of the house.
3- Occupants in this house will be happy and rich.
Thai language: บ้านนี้อยู่แล้ว ร่มเย็นเป็นสุข ร่ำรวย
Thai pronunciation: bâan níi yùu láaeo rôm-yen-bpen-sùk râm-ruuai
Additional note: This is another wish that Thai people often write down on a card, which they give to the owner of the house.
7. New Business or Business Anniversary
When Thai people start a new business or have a business anniversary, they sometimes invite a monk to bless their business. They believe it will bring luck and help make their business successful. Family, friends, and business partners are invited. Here’s a list of best wishes in Thai you can say to congratulate them.
1- General Thai Message on New Business / Business Anniversary
Wish 1: Good luck! Good luck! Good luck!
Thai language: เฮง เฮง เฮง
Thai pronunciation: heng heng heng
Additional note: This is one of the most popular wishes for others when it comes to business. Actually, it comes from Chinese.
Wish 2: Congratulations.
Thai language: ยินดีด้วยนะ
Thai pronunciation: yin-dii dûuai ná
2- Wishes for a New Business
Wish 1: Congratulations on your business, may it go well.
Thai language: ยินดีด้วยกับธุรกิจใหม่ ขอให้กิจการรุ่งเรือง
Thai pronunciation: yin-dii dûuai gàp thú-rá-gìt mài khǎaw hâi gìt-jà-gaan rûng-ruueang
Wish 2: Congratulations on your business, may the sales be very good.
Thai language: ยินดีด้วยกับธุรกิจใหม่ ขอให้ค้าขายรุ่งเรือง
Thai pronunciation: yin-dii dûuai gàp thú-rá-gìt mài khǎaw hâi kháa-khǎai rûng-ruueang
3- Wishing a Happy Business Anniversary
Wish 1: May your business be even more successful.
Thai language: ขอให้ประสบความสำเร็จยิ่ง ๆ ขึ้นไป
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw hâi bprà-sòp-khwaam-sǎm-rèt yîng-yîng-khûen-bpai
Wish 2: May you be richer.
Thai language: ขอให้ร่ำรวยยิ่ง ๆ ขึ้นไป
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw hâi râm-ruuai yîng-yîng-khûen-bpai
8. Visiting Injured/Sick People
Being sick is an inevitable event in life. And when you’re sick or injured, encouragement from family, friends, and people who love you can always make you feel better. Thai people are no different.
When you’re sick, you normally get encouraging messages from those who love you. If you get admitted to the hospital, those who love you often come to visit with some fruit and nourishing food or drinks. If you visit Thai people in the hospital or have a sick friend, the following Thai condolences and encouragement phrases will be useful for you. You can use them in both formal and informal situations.
1- Get well soon.
Thai language: หายป่วยเร็ว ๆ นะ
Thai pronunciation: hǎai bpùuai rew-rew ná
Additional note: This is a general message that Thai people often say or write down on a card for someone who is sick or injured.
2- Get a lot of rest and get well soon.
Thai language: พักผ่อนเยอะ ๆ หายป่วยเร็ว ๆ นะ
Thai pronunciation: phák-phàawn yóe-yóe hǎai bpùuai rew-rew ná
3- Take care of yourself and get well soon.
Thai language: ดูแลตัวเองดี ๆ หายป่วยเร็ว ๆ นะ
Thai pronunciation: duu-laae dtuua-eeng dii-dii hǎai bpùuai rew-rew ná
9. Funerals in Thai
งานศพ (ngaan-sòp), or a “funeral,” is the chance for the living to pay respect to the dead, as well as comfort the family of the deceased. คำอาลัย (kham aa-lai) is the “message to the dead” in Thai. If you go to a funeral in Thailand, here are some funeral messages in Thai, and other condolences in Thai, you should know.
1- May you go to heaven.
Thai language 1: ขอให้ไปสู่สุคติ
Thai pronunciation 1: khǎaw hâi bpai sùu sùk-khà-dtì
Thai language 2: ขอให้ไปที่ชอบ ๆ นะ
Thai pronunciation 2: khǎaw hâi bpai thîi-châawp-thîi-châawp ná
Additional note: This is a message that Thai people often say to the deceased at a funeral. Both sentences have the same meaning. However, the first one is more formal.
2- Message to the death (asking for forgiveness).
It’s impossible for people who know each other to never do, think, or say bad things to each other, regardless of intention. As most Thai people are Buddhist, we believe in a next life. Thus, it’s proper to ask for forgiveness and say that you forgive the deceased as well. So you should know these two sentences.
Message 1: Asking the deceased for forgiveness
Thai language: กรรมใดที่เคยทำไป อโหสิกรรมให้ด้วย
Thai pronunciation: gam-dai thîi khooei tham bpai à-hǒo-sì-gam hâi rao dûuai
Message 2: Forgiving the deceased for bad things he/she did to you
Thai language: ถ้าเคยทำอะไรที่ไม่ดีไว้ เราอโหสิกรรมให้
Thai pronunciation: thâa khooei tham à-rai thîi mâi dii wái rao à-hǒo-sì-gam hâi
3- Condolences in Thai
Message 1: My condolences for your loss. (Formal)
Thai language: ขอแสดงความเสียใจด้วย
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw sà-daaeng kwaam-sǐia-jai dûuai
Message 2: My condolences for your loss. (Informal)
Thai language: เสียใจด้วย
Thai pronunciation: sǐia-jai dûuai
10. Holidays in Thailand
There are a lot of holidays in Thailand. Thai people celebrate many foreign holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and Halloween. However, luckily, the holiday greetings in Thai, or holiday messages for foreign holidays, are no different from those used in other countries. Thai people often say those in English, such as “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Still, ThaiPod101.com thinks you should learn some holiday wishes in Thai. In particular, the New Year holiday in Thailand is quite interesting.
In Thailand, people kind of celebrate the New Year three times a year: New Year’s Day, the Chinese New Year Day, and the Thai New Year Day. So you should learn some of the most common Thai New Year congratulations. The Thai wishes below can be used in both formal and informal situations.
1- Happy New Year Wishes in Thai
Wish 1: Happy New Year
Thai language: สุขสันต์วันปีใหม่
Thai pronunciation: sùk-sǎn wan-bpii-mài
Wish 2: Hello New Year
Thai language: สวัสดีปีใหม่
Thai pronunciation: sà-wàt-dii bpii-mài
Wish 3: May this year be full of happiness and prosperity.
Thai language: ขอให้มีแต่ความสุขความเจริญ
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw hâi mii dtàae khwaam-sùk khwaam-jà-rooen
Wish 4: May this be a good year.
Thai language: ขอให้ปีนี้เป็นปีที่ดี
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw hâi bpii-níi bpen bpii thîi dii
2- Happy Chinese New Year Wishes in Thai
Wish 1: In this new year, may all your wishes come true. I wish you to be happy and rich all year.
Thai language: ซิงเจียยู่อี๋ ซิงนี้ฮวดใช้
Thai pronunciation: sin-jiia-yûu-ìi sin-níi-hûuat-chái
Additional note: This wish is Chinese. Despite saying this on the Chinese New Year, Thai people don’t really know what it means. They just know that they’re supposed to say this on that day.
Wish 2: Good luck! Good luck! Good luck!
Thai language: เฮง เฮง เฮง
Thai pronunciation: heng heng heng
Additional note: You may recognize this wish because it’s also used to wish a new business well, or to congratulate a business anniversary. It can also be used as a wish for the Chinese New Year as well.
3- Happy Thai New Year Wishes in Thai
Wish 1: Happy Songkran Day
Thai language: สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์
Thai pronunciation: sùk-sǎn wan sǒng-graan
Wish 2: Hello Thai New Year
Thai language: สวัสดีปีใหม่ไทย
Thai pronunciation: sà-wàt-dii bpii-mài-thai
Wish 3: May this year be full of happiness.
Thai language: ขอให้มีแต่ความสุข
Thai pronunciation: khǎaw hâi mii dtàae khwaam-sùk
11. Conclusion
Congratulations for reaching the conclusion. We hope you can use all these wishes and messages for life events in real situations. Are they different from yours? Does your country have the same life events? Leave a comment below to let us know.
And as always, don’t forget to visit ThaiPod101.com to learn interesting and fun Thai lessons. As we’ve just talked about holidays, you can learn more about national Thai holidays or the Songkran holiday in Thailand. Know that your hard work will pay off, and with the help of ThaiPod101, you’ll be speaking like a native in no time!
