TimeNew Year; the new year noun
- bpii mid
- mài low
- Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
How to use it
Thailand celebrates three new years. ปีใหม่bpii-mài is 1 January, a public holiday when Bangkok empties as people go home to their families. Chinese New Year, ตรุษจีนdtrùt-jiin, fills Chinatown with red and gold, and the traditional Thai New Year is สงกรานต์sǒng-graan in April, with its famous water fights.
To wish someone a happy new year, see Happy New Year in Thai.
Other spellings you'll see
There's no single official way to write Thai in English letters. We mark the tone of every syllable; online you'll also find:
- pi mai
- pimai
Read more
- Phrase How to say “happy new year” in Thai How to say happy new year in Thai: สวัสดีปีใหม่, New Year wishes with ขอให้, and Thailand's three new years: 1 January, Chinese New Year and Songkran.
Culture Songkran: Thai New Year Meaning, Traditions & Phrases Thai New Year on 13-15 April: what Songkran means, the gentle traditions behind the water fight, how to join in respectfully and what to say.
More time in Thai
All time
Learn Thai with the free course
A complete course from your first phrase to real conversations, with audio for every word and AI speaking practice. Free, no sign-up needed.
Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones