How to Say Happy New Year in Thai

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to improve your Thai? Maybe you’re planning to visit Thailand for the holidays?

Either way, learning to say “Happy New Year” in Thai is super useful!

🎊 Two New Year Celebrations in Thailand

Thailand actually celebrates New Year twice:

• January 1st – Western New Year
• April 13-15 – Songkran สงกรานต์ (Thai New Year)

Songkran is the famous water festival. It’s based on the Buddhist calendar and is absolutely amazing to experience!

The good news? The same “Happy New Year” phrase works for both celebrations.

📅 Quick Note About Thai Years

Thailand uses the Buddhist Era calendar. This means Thai years are 543 years ahead of our calendar.

Simple math: Western year + 543 = Thai year

Example: If you were born in 2000, your Thai birth year is 2543.

3 Ways to Say Happy New Year in Thai

1. สวัสดีปีใหม่ (sawad dee ppee mai)

Most common way to say Happy New Year in Thai:

• สวัสดีปีใหม่ (sawad dee ppee mai) – Happy New Year

You probably know the first part already. สวัสดี (sawad dee) is the standard Thai greeting.

The second part is ปีใหม่ (ppee mai). This translates as “new year”.

Word breakdown:

• ปี (ppee) – year
• ใหม่ (mai) – new

This phrase works everywhere. Use it with family, friends, or strangers on the street.

Grammar Tip

In English, we use adjective + noun structure. In Thai, it’s reversed to noun + adjective.

Examples:

• ผู้หญิงสวย (not found)
  (puu ying suay) – beautiful woman
• ปีใหม่ (ppee mai) – new year
• หมาน่ารัก (maa naa rak) – cute dog

2. สุขสันต์วันปีใหม่ (suk san wan ppee mai)

Another way to say “Happy New Year” in Thai:

• สุขสันต์วันปีใหม่ (suk san wan ppee mai) – Happy New Year

สุขสันต์ (suk san) means “happy” or “blessed”.

You can use สุขสันต์ for other celebrations too:

• สุขสันต์วันเกิด (suk san wan gəət) – Happy Birthday
• สุขสันต์วันคริสต์มาส (suk san wan khrít-maas) – Merry Christmas

3. แฮปปี้นิวเยียร์ (happy new year)

The English version of Happy New Year:

This might sound weird at first. But many Thai people use the English version for other greetings too.

• แฮปปี้นิวเยียร์ (happy new year)

Thai people love using English for certain phrases. If you’re not confident with Thai pronunciation, this works perfectly!

You’ll hear this version a lot in Bangkok and tourist areas.

When to Use Each Version

• Formal situations: Use สุขสันต์วันปีใหม่
• Casual conversations: Use สวัสดีปีใหม่
• With younger people: แฮปปี้นิวเยียร์ works great

Bonus Phrases for New Year

Wishing Someone Happiness

Want to add more to your New Year wishes? Try these:

• ขอให้มีความสุขมากๆ (not found)
  (kǒr hâi mii khwaam suk mâak mâak)
  May you have lots of happiness

• ขอให้โชคดี (not found)
  (kǒr hâi chôok dii)
  Good luck

• ขอให้สุขภาพแข็งแรง (not found)
  (kǒr hâi sùk-khà-phâap khǎeng raeng)
  May you have good health

Talking About Resolutions

If someone asks about your New Year resolutions:

• ตั้งใจเรียนภาษาไทย (not found)
  (dtâng jai riian phaa-sǎa thai)
  I’m determined to learn Thai

• อยากไปเที่ยวประเทศไทย (not found)
  (yàak bpai thîao bprà-thêet thai)
  I want to visit Thailand

Cultural Tips

Songkran (Thai New Year)

If you’re in Thailand during Songkran, expect to get soaked! This water festival is incredible fun.

Songkran basics:

• People throw water on each other for good luck
• It’s respectful to ask before soaking elderly people
• Protect your phone and electronics!
• Join in the fun – locals love when foreigners participate

New Year Traditions

Thai people often:

• Visit temples to make merit
• Give money to monks
• Spend time with family
• Share special meals together

Knowing these phrases helps you connect with Thai culture and people.

Practice Tips

1. Start with สวัสดีปีใหม่ – It’s the most useful
2. Practice the tones – Thai is a tonal language
3. Use it in context – Try it with Thai friends or language partners
4. Listen to natives – Pay attention to pronunciation in Thai media

Remember, Thai people appreciate any effort to speak their language. Don’t worry about perfect pronunciation at first.

The important thing is trying to connect and show respect for Thai culture.

สุขสันต์วันปีใหม่! (Happy New Year!)