Lesson Transcript

Hi, everybody! Do you know how Thai people celebrate New Year's Day? In this lesson, you'll learn some important phrases about the Thai New Year and some valuable cultural tips.
In Thai, New Year's day is called...
ปีใหม่
[slowly] ปีใหม่
On ปีใหม่, Thai people greet each other by saying สุขสันต์วันปีใหม่
(slow) สุขสันต์วันปีใหม่
This means "Happy New Year."
When you meet someone for the first time in the new year, be sure to greet them with this phrase.
Thai people visit a very special place around the New Year's Day, which is...
วัด
(slow) วัด
This means "temple."
On December 31, people will go to their local วัด (wát) to listen to preaching. There are several popular temples where Thai people go often, including Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Kallayanamitra. The most popular activity during New Year’s Eve is praying all night long until the break of the new year.
On this special day, Thai people exchange ของขวัญ
(slow) ของขวัญ
This means "gifts."
On January 1, most Thai people take time to be with their family and friends and enjoy festive activities. One such activity is drawing a lot for gift exchanges, or in Thai, ของขวัญ (khǎawng khwăn).
Let's wrap up this lesson by recapping what you've learned. Listen to the expression and repeat after me.
"New Year's Day"
ปีใหม่
* beep
ปีใหม่
"Happy New Year!"
สุขสันต์วันปีใหม่
* beep
สุขสันต์วันปีใหม่
"temple"
วัด
* beep
วัด
"gifts"
ของขวัญ
* beep
ของขวัญ
Well done! [pause] Here's a fun fact!
What is the history behind the popular activity on New Year's Day of sending greeting cards?
Actually, Thailand did not originally have a tradition of sending cards, but they adopted this cultural practice from foreign countries after the late Ayutthaya period. The greeting cards come in the form of paper, with written or printed images.
You just learned how Thai people celebrate "New Year's Day" and some important facts about the holiday.
And if you want to learn Thai twice as fast, just click the link in the description and download tons of PDF lessons for FREE!
I'll see you next time. สวัสดีค่ะ

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