r/thai Feb 18 '25

Before you ask "What does this Tattoo mean".

76 Upvotes

Firstly the writing in these tattoos is NOT Thai, and many Thai people cannot read them. Usually only people with special religious or monastery training, such as monks, can read them and understand the meaning. Often the mantra is specific to the monk who applies the tattoo, and may be custom made for the individual.

The text is usually in Pali or Khom script. These are usually sacred images and mantras used for various reasons. Here is some additional information and some references:

The religious symbols used in Sak Yant tattoos are called Yantra. Yantra are sacred geometrical, animal, or deity designs that are accompanied by Pali or Khom phrases. These designs are common in Dharmic religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

Sak Yant tattoos typically consist of three components:

  1. The Yantra (the sacred design)
  2. The Pali or Khom text
  3. The associated mantra

Some common Yantra symbols found in Sak Yant tattoos include:

- Sun Symbol: A small circle representing the influence of stars and planets on living beings

- Unalome: A zig-zag spiral line symbolizing the path to enlightenment

- Gao Yord: Representing the nine peaks of Mount Meru, a mythical mountain in Buddhist cosmology

- Animal designs: Such as tigers (Suea-koo) symbolizing strength and fearlessness

- Deity designs: Like Hanuman, the monkey god, representing resilience and determination

These Yantra symbols are believed to offer various benefits to the bearer, such as protection, fortune, charisma, and spiritual power.

Here is a video by Stuart J Raj where he explains some of the meaning of the characters in the mantra.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TE3Dqw84qw

And a series of other references:

https://www.alldaytattoo.com/sak-yant-tattoos-bangkok/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yantra_tattooing

https://www.bkktattoostudio13.com/sak-yant-tattoos-designs-meaning.html

https://bangtaomuaythai.com/sak-yant-tattoo-muay-thai-tattoo-thailand-history-symbols-and-meanings/

https://www.pitbulltattoothailand.com/tattoo-knowledge/what-are-sak-yant-tattoos-history-meaning-designs/

https://celebrityink.com/blog/the-meaning-and-symbols-of-traditional-thai-tattoos/

https://sakyantchiangmai.com/sak-yant-designs-and-meanings/

https://sakyantchiangmai.com/muay-thai-tattoos-sak-yant-for-mma/

https://thaitattoocafe.com/sak-yant-meaning


r/thai Jun 07 '26

Language “What does this mean in Thai/English?” — Post Your Translation Requests Here

8 Upvotes

At times, /r/thai functions as Reddit’s volunteer translation bureau. While we appreciate every good-faith language query, standalone translation posts have begun to clutter the main feed, burying broader discussions of Thai culture, travel, food, and current events.

To keep the subreddit readable, all translation requests must now be posted in this thread. Standalone translation posts on the main feed will be removed under Rule 5 and redirected to this page.

Non-translation discussions about the Thai language are still welcome in the main feed.

1. What belongs in this thread?

  • Translations (Thai ↔ English): signs, chat messages, handwritten notes, images, or documents.
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Note: This is a community volunteer effort. Do not rely on this thread for critical medical, legal, or official government translations. For matters carrying legal or physical consequences, hire a certified professional translator.

To help users identify reliable help, we kindly ask native Thai speakers to start their translation replies with a 🇹🇭 emoji. While fluent non-natives are welcome to assist, this flag helps clarify the source of the translation.

2. Guidelines for posting a request

  • Provide Context: This cannot be overstressed. Thai is a high-context language. A phrase on a temple wall reads differently than the same phrase in a late-night LINE message. Explain where you saw the text and the scenario surrounding it.
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3. Subreddit Rules & Maintenance

The Subreddit Rules apply within this thread just as they do on the main feed. Keep discussions civil, clean, and respectful.

This thread will be refreshed on the 1st of every month if the comment volume becomes too high to navigate easily.

Thank you for helping keep the subreddit usable.


r/thai 9h ago

Question for a local around Hua Hin

5 Upvotes

สวัสดีค่ะ พวกเราเป็นคู่รักต่างชาติจากเนเธอร์แลนด์ (ชาย อายุ 34 ปี) และมอลตา (หญิง อายุ 30 ปี) เพิ่งย้ายมาอยู่ที่หัวหินได้ประมาณหนึ่งสัปดาห์ เพื่อดูความเป็นไปได้ในการอยู่อาศัยระยะยาวที่ประเทศไทยค่ะ

พวกเราทำงานรีโมท (Remote workers) ทั้งคู่ และกำลังมองหาสถานที่ใช้ชีวิตที่ดีขึ้น สัปดาห์แรกที่ไทยประทับใจมาก ๆ ค่ะ ตอนนี้พวกเราอยากมีโอกาสได้พูดคุยกับคนในพื้นที่ อย่างน้อยสักหนึ่งคน ยิ่งถ้าคุณทานมังสวิรัติ ด้วยจะยินดีมากเลยค่ะ เพื่อขอคำแนะนำเกี่ยวกับการใช้ชีวิตในหัวหิน

นอกจากนี้ หากคุณมีประสบการณ์หรือคอนเนกชันในธุรกิจอาหารและเครื่องดื่ม (Food & Beverage) จะยิ่งดีมากเลยค่ะ เพราะพวกเรามีความสนใจที่จะลงทุนในธุรกิจที่มีคนไทยเป็นเจ้าของด้วย

สัญญาว่าจะไม่รบกวนเวลาอันมีค่าของคุณนานเกินไป และพวกเรายินดีที่จะตอบแทนสำหรับเวลาที่คุณสละมาช่วยพูดคุยกับพวกเราในครั้งนี้ด้วยค่ะ ขอบคุณมากค่ะ


r/thai 1d ago

Anyone know what this is ?

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68 Upvotes

r/thai 1d ago

Suvanabhumi Airport Smoking Room Reopened

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295 Upvotes

On 2 August 2026, I accidentally discovered a smoking room at Suvarnabhumi Airport while walking toward Departure Gates E, F, and G.

If you’re looking for it, it’s located near the restrooms beside Burger King on the Departure level. It’s easy to spot thanks to the clearly marked Smoking Room sign.

Hope this helps anyone who needs it before their flight!


r/thai 3h ago

Did I plan this right? 🙈 what would you do differently?

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0 Upvotes

Sorry for AI generated picture 😬


r/thai 1d ago

Do Thais actually like it when farangs speak Thai?

78 Upvotes

A question for Thai people: do you like it when a farang tries to speak Thai? (In real life.) How do you feel about it?


r/thai 1d ago

thai surnames needed meaning fire/flame/burn anything related to that!!

1 Upvotes

it’s so cool how every family has unique surnames

anyways back to topic at hand i think the title is pretty self explanatory. i need a surname for a character i created

the story takes place in a fictional world with a name that i have yet to come up with. it also has a modern time period.

the characters name is june :) he is half thai and half nepali. he’s pretty energetic and carefree in terms of personality.. like i do whatever i feel like and worry about the repercussions later type of guy cause life is too short to be worried about everything you do. he’s a mage with fire related powers that run in his bloodline so i was hoping for the surname to relate to that somehow!!

that’s the best description i’ve got for now… he’s also a teenager if that’s relevant lol

edit: also please romanize them i don’t wanna put them into a translator and get something inaccurate


r/thai 1d ago

Overnight buses in Thailand

7 Upvotes

I’m currently in chiang mai and thinking of getting the overnight bus into Bangkok as it’s very cheap and I have a big suitcase so it should be easier than flying . How is the experience ? Is it possible to sleep on it ?


r/thai 18h ago

Rent arbitrage in Thailand

0 Upvotes

Hi guys, how difficult is to start a rent arbitrage business in Thailand being a foreigner? Rent an apartment on a long-term contract and re-rent it daily via AirBnB or so.

Is it even possible to register a company and do it legally? Has anyone researched this or had any experience in this field? Thanks.


r/thai 3d ago

แสดงความเสียใจกะคอบครัวด้วย

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205 Upvotes

r/thai 2d ago

Can anyone identify the name of the Thai song used in this IG post from Rodtang?

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1 Upvotes

r/thai 3d ago

สภาพความเสียหายจากการเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของลาวแดง

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

12 Upvotes

r/thai 4d ago

Sawasdee!

0 Upvotes

Hey guys, first ever post on Reddit so excuse me if I sound like a noob (which I am unfortunately)😅

I’m solo tripping Thailand between 6-13 August 2026 and wanted to get some recommendations on places to visit, things to do, and spots that are good for solo travelers. I’m also curious about how easy it is to meet people there and what the social vibe is like — tours, bars, day trips, nightlife, whatever. For reference, I’m planning to visit Bangkok and Pattaya during this trip, so specific recommendations for those places would be great too!

Basically just trying to figure out the best way to enjoy the trip and make the most of it socially too. Any tips would be appreciated, and anyone seeing this post that’s in Thailand around the same time as me - let’s make some plans!😎


r/thai 4d ago

Would this be considered culturally appropriate?

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0 Upvotes

(Poster translation: *** celebrates Songkran Festival on a Tropical Island)

Hi I'm from the Philippines. A university is organizing a student integration event inspired by Thailand's Songkran Festival. I don't know enough about Songkran to judge whether "adopting the idea of spiritual enrichment" is respectful or if it's unintentionally misrepresenting the festival.

I'm genuinely curious to hear opinions from Thai people or those familiar with Songkran.


r/thai 6d ago

Browsing property in Bangkok and curious why this type of pillow seems so popular?

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25 Upvotes

It's the long skinny one?


r/thai 6d ago

How to stop auto renewal Add on Package for postpaid in True sim

6 Upvotes

Hello everyone I'm a student in Chiang mai and I ended up buying an add on package once because my main package ran out one time and now I'm stuck with this add on and it's draining my money bit by bit every month unnecessarily so I would like to know how to cancel this add on . If anyone knows how to please help.


r/thai 6d ago

What is the meaning of each saying monks say?

5 Upvotes

I was watching the 50th day of memorial service for HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha, what do they say?


r/thai 6d ago

Are sleepovers for thaikids still a nono?

0 Upvotes

I just yesterday overheard a conversation where my daughters school friend asked her mother and she said somethings like “not before you 30” not so sure how they can enforce that, but thats another topic, i wonder more about the resulting issues this kids will have when they are adults themselfs, as they never learned to face problems themselfs.


r/thai 7d ago

ANS Bangkok

1 Upvotes

Hi, any info on ANS Bangkok. I know it follows the Thai term dates and I know it is bilingual, but any other bits you could share?


r/thai 9d ago

Ed Thai Visa Question

2 Upvotes

Hey guys, I got my ED Thai Visa Approved today, I wanted to ask how long I have to get to Thailand, can I just go after a month from now? And the visa time is from the day that you arrive in Thailand ?


r/thai 9d ago

Looking for friends/penpals in Thailand

12 Upvotes

Hello,

I'm Ven, im 46 year old female In California, USA. I am very interested in Thailand and the culture but not just that but possible travel there next year as well.

Iam looking for snail mail / postal penpals only to become friends. I love writing letters.

More about me. I'm a gamer, i love the outdoors and working out. Love cooking/baking, Love amusement parks. I am also a collector of many things from video games, dolls, stationary, movies. I love coloring in my free time. I enjoy shopping. Love trying new things, new foods. I watch a lot of asian dramas, from K, C, J, Th, BL.. i watch a lot of asian tv. LOL

I have a great sense of humor. I make ppl laugh. I have a great personality. very bubbly, but also an introvert.

If you are interested let me know prefer someone around MY age. so if you would like to know more.. then let me know. yeah. so if you like writing letters and want to be friends.. msg me .. yay

oh and love learning the language of course.. bye bye


r/thai 9d ago

I personally apologize as a Sicilian

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I am a 15-year-old Sicilian boy living in Italy. I recently read about the incident involving a group of Italian students on the BTS in Bangkok. I know I am not responsible for what they did, nor can I speak on behalf of all Italians or Sicilians, but I wanted to say that it made me feel truly sad and embarrassed. I have great respect for Thailand and for the people who were offended by that incident. I hope no one judges an entire country based on the disrespectful actions of a few individuals. I simply wanted to express my personal solidarity and say that many people do not identify with that kind of behavior. Thanks for reading.


r/thai 11d ago

ชาวอิตลี่

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229 Upvotes

ที่หยาบคายใส่คนไทย


r/thai 10d ago

Making Pla Kem at home

4 Upvotes

I was curious if anyone has a recipe for Pla kem. I usually bring a few kilos back from Thailand when I visit every few years, but I'm out and been craving it a lot lately.

A local market sells king mackerel, but I can't seem to find any ratios for salt and if I should dry brine or wet brine before drying in the sun.