Introduction to Songkran

The word “Songkran” originally comes from the Sanskrit language and means “move into”, referring to the orbit of the sun moving into Aries. It marks the end of a year long cycle and is the beginning of the new solar year. Thus Songkran is the Thai New Year celebration.

The Songkran celebration is notably the Kingdom’s most fun filled (sanuk) festival and is celebrated nation wide each year. The holiday is 3 days long from April 13-15, but in many parts of Thailand it is celebrated for much of the month of April.

Most of the world recognizes Songkran as a fun filled time when people of all ages (but especially children and young adults) flock to the streets to shower each other with water. This refreshing solution to beating the April heat in Thailand ranges from harmless water pistols and splashing to bottles, buckets and water cannons delivering a soaking deluge of water to the unwary. However, many may not know that there is a deeper significance to Songkran.

Obviously as a New Year celebration Songkran is a time for new beginnings, and it is also considered to be a time for thanksgiving. It is a time for people to reflect on acts of thoughtfulness and kindness that they have experienced and to consider how these acts bring peace, happiness and well-being. It is also a time for reunions and most Thai’s return to their family homes to renew family ties.

Songkran embodies the traditional Thai cultural values and the underlying significance of Songkran is the process of purification and cleansing. This is a cleansing of all evils, ills and misfortunes that may have occurred and starting the New Year fresh with all the is good and pure. Water is symbolic of the cleaning process and signifies purity.

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Songkran is Coming Soon

I just finished the long conversation with my mom on the phone a few minutes ago. She said around where my hometown is (Tak province), it is so freaking hot! Yesterday it was 40 Celsius and today’s around 39 Celsius, hmm…just almost 40. Well I have to convert to Fahrenheit because now I’m not that used to Celsius system much. OMG…40 Celsius = 102.2 Fahrenheit.

Extremely hot in Thailand like this makes me think about the very important holiday for Thai people known as “Songkran”, that is coming soon. Songkran festival was the Thai New Year in the past before they moved into international day January 1st like anywhere else in the world. Songkran was specifically on the Thai calender on April 13th - 15th every year.

Most people they knew the symbol of this tradition just for splashing water on others. Not many of them know about the most significant activities is all about to do good things like offering food to the monks, releasing birds and fishes, donating, visiting and paying respects to elders, family members, friends and neighbors. It shows about spirit, love, and care between family members together.

So many residents who are living in Bangkok, will go back to their hometown to celebrate with their families. So that’s why Thai government has set on April 14th every year to be family day in Thailand. Let say it is just like Christmas Day for American people I think.

Water has been a representation for Songkran, against the hotness from the weather. The splashing of water originated as a way to pay respect, ask for blessing or apologize to an elderly person about an insult. This will be done by gently pouring a small amount of lustral water on the elderly hands or over a shoulder as a sign of respect we call “Rod Nam Dam Hua”. But for young people mostly will be splashing water, we call “Sard Nam” and this has further evolved into water fights and splashing water over people riding in vehicles.

Usually for me I wouldn’t go back to Tak on this season because it will be so frustrated situation with a thousand of people at the bus station or any of transportation service. I always told my parents I would be happy to go back anytime at all but not on Songkran. So anyone of you please keep in mind if you want to travel somewhere for Songkran, just need to go like a week or two weeks ahead and also make a reservation first. So I prefer to stay in Bkk because no need to worry about traffic at all. Well, except for some places in Bkk where they’re going to celebrate like Kao Sarn Rd., Silom Rd., and Sukhumvit area, traffic can be worse.

You can get more information about “Songkran” here at Songkran.net and then you will get some idea Songkran this year where in Thailand I want to go!

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Thai Love Phrases

Lots of you come to Thailand Musings looking for Thai love phrases and that’s not surprising. You want to be able to express yourself in your new friends native language and that’s a really good thing. It help you to understand the culture a little better and it gives her a really good feeling too. By learning some Thai language she knows that you are more committed and that you are interested in her culture.

When Golf and I first met and started chatting on Thai Love Links I struggled to find a good resource for Thai language. I didn’t need to become proficient, but I wanted to be able to express my feelings for her in a way I knew she would understand and I wanted her to know that I cared for her so much that I was willing to take the time to learn her language.

So, for those of you that want or need to speak the language of love in Thai here’s a small dictionary of Thai love phrases that are sure to impress and excite your new Thai girlfriend. I guarantee she will be amazed and impressed. If you’re having trouble with pronunciation you can ask her for help too which will help to make your relationship more concrete.

 

Beginning Your Relationship

I am single. (pom yung sot)

You are very beautiful. (koon suay mak mak)

You are very cute. (koon na-ruk mak mak)

I like your smile. (pom chorp roi yim kong koon)

Can I see you tomorrow? (proong nee jer gun dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”

Are you free tonight? (keun nee koon wang mai) - For yes the reply is “wang” and for no the reply is “mai wang”

Do you like me? (koon chorp pom reu blao) - For yes the reply is “chorp” and for no the reply is “mai chorp”

Can you go out with me? (bai tee-o gup pom dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”

Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? (koon mee faen reu yung) - For yes the reply is “me” and for no the reply is “yung mai mee”

What kind of men do you like? (koon chorp poo-chai bap nai)

Can you tell me your phone number please? (kor ber tor koon dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”

Do you want to go and eat with me? (bai gin kao gub pom mai) - For yes the reply is “bai” and for no the reply is “mai bai”

Do you want to go to watch a movie? (bai doo nung gup pom mai) - For yes the reply is “bai” and for no the reply is “mai bai”

Your eyes are so beautiful. (duang dtar kong koon suay mak)

Can I hold your hand? (pom kor jub meu koon dai mai?)

Have a nice dream. (fun dee na)

Take care of yourself. (do lae dtua eng duay na)

 

Taking it to the Next Level

Love at first sight. (ruk raek pop)

I still remember the first moment we met. (pom yung jum krang-raek tee row pob gun dai)

I want you to be happy. (pom dtong gan hai koon mee kwarm sook)

You make me happy. (koon tam hai pom mee kwarm sook)

I miss you. (pom kit teung koon)

I miss you all the time. (pom kit-teung koon dta-lod way-la)

Can you be my girlfriend? (ben faen gub pom dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”

You are my girlfriend. (koon ben fan kong pom)

You are my sweetheart. (koon keu yot -ruk kong pom)

You are the one I have been waiting for. (koon bpen kon dieow tee pom ror koi)

I am serious about you. (pom jing jai gup koon)

I think about you all night. (pom kit teung koon tung keun)

I want to meet you. (pom dtong-gan/yaak pop koon)

I want to hug you. (pom dtong-gan/yaak got koon)

Can I kiss you? (pom kor joop koon dai mai)

I want to be with you. (pom yaak yoo gup koon)

Do you miss me? (koon kit teung pom baang mai)

I won’t forget you. (pom ja mai leum koon)

When do you want me to come back? (koon dtong gan hai pom glup ma muea rai)

 

When You’re Ready to Marry Your Thai Girlfriend

I think I have fallen in love with you. (pom kit wa pom long ruk koon) / (pom kit wa pom dtok loom ruk koon)

My heart is yours. (hua jai kong pom ben kong koon)

You are my angel. (koon keu nung fa kong pom)

I love you. (pom ruk koon)

I will be faithful to you. (pom ja seu-sut dtor/gub koon)

I don’t want to let you go. (pom mai dtong-gan hai koon bai)

Can I meet your parents? (pom ja bai pob por gub mae kong koon dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”

I want to see your face every day. (pom yaak hen na koon took wan)

I want to marry you. (pom dtong-gan dtang ngan gub koon)

I can’t live without you. (pom yoo mai dai ta mai mee koon)

 

If There’s Trouble

I hope I can see you again. (pom wang wa ja dai pob koon eek-krang)

Can you give me one more chance? (hai aow-gat pom eek-krang dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”

I will never cheat on you (pom ja mai nork jai koon)

Your love is very important to me. (kwarm ruk kong koon sam kun dtor/sam-rap pom mak)

Please speak to me. (dai brot poot gup pom)

You hurt me so much. (koon tam pom jep-bpuat mak)

Please trust me. (brot chuea jai pom)

I want you to trust me. (pom dtong gan hai koon chuea jai pom)

I never lied to you. (pom mai koie gor hok koon)

Don’t leave me. (ya ting pom)

I will always be on your side. (pom ja yoo kiang-kang koon sa-mer)

Obviously this is not complete, but it will give you a great start and if possible get your Thai girlfriend to help you expand on your vocabulary. If you’re interested in more Thai language guides leave a comment telling me what you need to know and I’ll do my best to put together additional guides. And if you want to hear the phrases maybe I can get Golf to record them and we’ll post them up here. As always, I’m here to help in anyway, just leave a comment and ask.

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The Wai or Thai Greeting

In my last post I wrote that I think that Thai girls look so sexy when they wai, but many of you might ask what is a wai?

The wai (pronounced ‘why’) is the traditional Thai greeting. It is done by pressing your hands together in front of your chest or face and bowing slightly. The wai came to Thailand via the Hindu culture of India and is still widely practiced in Thailand today as both a greeting and a sign of respect.

In Thailand there are very strict rules of hierarchy governing the wai, who does the wai’ing and where to position your hands when you wai. To most foreigners there is little noticible difference, but if you train yourself you can see how Thai’s will wai differently to different people. In general here are the rules for wai’ing:

• Inferiors wai superiors first.
• Younger people wai older people first.
• The higher your hands are placed the more respect you are giving the person you are wai’ing. In general the heels of your hands will be about heart level. If you are meeting an important person or an elder your hands would be placed higher and for monks the heels of your hands should be in front of your lips or even as high as your nose.
• Do NOT wai street people or service people (ie the girl at the 7-11, hotel staff, bargirls).

As a foreigner you are not expected to know the rules for wai’ing and most business people will shake your hand. However, if someone wai’s you it is polite to wai back and you’ll want to know how to do so properly so you don’t look silly.

Thai’s will also wai when passing temples and spirit houses, even if they are driving! Many times I have been in the car when we pass a temple and see my father-in-law take his hands off the wheel to wai the temple no matter what the road conditions are. Just take it in stride and realize this is a sign of respect and very important to the Thai people.

I really love the wai. I think if westerners put more emphasis on the respect due to others we might have less problems. Plus like I said it looks really great when the girls do it. Maybe it is just the submissive look of the wai. I’m not sure, but I think it looks great. I’m often sorry to be here in the States because I don’t get the chance to see Golf wai at all.

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Your Thai Girlfriend and Buddhism

Question: I know virtually nothing about Buddhist teachings. I was raised in a Roman Catholic family, even attended Catholic schools for my first nine grades. However, Christianity never took root, so if anything I would consider myself an animist. Is there a steep learning curve for living with a Buddhist wife?

Answer: I didn’t experience any learning curve at all as Golf didn’t expect that I would become a Buddhist. I do of course have a healthy curiosity so I’ve learned a bit, but it hasn’t been an issue in our house at all. If Golf wants to pray she simply does so.

We have been to a nearby temple and I think that would be helpful if your girlfriend is very religious, but it seems to me that it’s not necessary. Unlike Christian’s Buddhists don’t have to go to temple every week or anything like that. They will go for big religious holidays or if they have something specific they want to pray for or to ask for the monks blessing.

I have even suggested we go to the temple or get a small spirit house and Golf has declined saying it’s not necessary. She has told me that she can pray anywhere at anytime and no special trappings are necessary.

So, unless your Thai girlfriend insists you don’t have to learn anything at all about Buddhism and it shouldn’t affect the relationship at all.

Popularity: 6% [?]

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