Thai festivals are loud, colourful, and soaked in tradition - sometimes literally, in the case of Songkran. But if you’re going to dive into the chaos (and water fights), you’ll want to know more than just how to say “hello” and “thank you.” Here’s a no-nonsense guide to the phrases that’ll keep you from looking like a clueless farang.
Basic Festival Greetings
Festivals in Thailand aren’t just about the spectacle - they’re social events. If you don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb, start with these.
สวัสดีปีใหม่
/sa˨˩.wat̚˨˩.diː˧.piː˧.maj˨˩/“Happy New Year”
สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์
/sùk-sǎn wan sǒng-graan/“Happy Songkran”
ขอให้โชคดี
/kǒr hâi chôok dii/“Good luck”
Survival Phrases for Songkran
Songkran isn’t just a festival - it’s a three-day water war. Here’s how to navigate it without accidentally declaring hostilities.
ไม่เปียกได้ไหม
/mâi bpìiak dâi mǎi/“Can you not get me wet?”
ขอโทษ หลบหน่อย
/kǒr-tôot lòp nòi/“Sorry, let me through”
เย็นมาก
/yen mâak/“Very cold”
Food & Market Phrases
Festivals mean street food. Here’s how to order like a pro and avoid pointing awkwardly at menus.
อันนี้เผ็ดไหม
/an níi pèt mǎi/“Is this spicy?”
ขออีกจาน
/kǒr ìik jaan/“One more plate, please”
ราคาเท่าไหร่
/raa-khaa thâo rài/“How much?”
Festival-Specific Vocabulary
Some words only make sense in the context of Thai festivals. Here’s what you’ll actually hear.
สาดน้ำ
/sàat náam/“Water splashing”
แห่ผ้าห่มพระ
/hàae pàa hòm prá/“Procession of cloth offerings”
ลอยกระทง
/lɔːj˧.kra˨˩.tʰoŋ˧/“Floating lantern festival”
What Not to Say
Festivals are fun, but cultural missteps aren’t. Avoid these phrases unless you enjoy awkward silences.
ทำไมต้องสาดน้ำ
/tham-mai dtông sàat náam/“Why do you have to splash water?”
น่าเบื่อ
/naː˥˩.bɯa̯˨˩/“Boring”
แพงเกินไป
/phaaeng gern bpai/“Too expensive”
Final Tips
- Thais appreciate effort. Even if your pronunciation is rough, trying goes a long way.
- Waterproof your phone. Trust me.
- If you’re serious about Thai, check out our guide on professional Thai phrases for when the festival’s over.
