About Thai time
About Thai time
Telling time in Thai is something foreigners must know if they want to communicate in Thai. This is because some Thai expressions for time are completely different from the numbers shown on the clock. For example, 1.00 a.m. in Thai is read as “Dtee Nùeng” (ตีหนึ่ง).
1.00 a.m. /tee-nueng/ ตีหนึ่ง
2.00 a.m. /tee-song /ตีสอง
3.00 a.m. /tee-sam /ตีสาม
4.00 a.m. /tee-see/ตีสี่
5.00 a.m. /tee-haa/ ตีห้า
6.00 a.m. /hok-mong-chaw/ หกโมงเช้า *Chaw = morning
7.00 a.m. /jed-mong-chaw /เจ็ดโมงเช้า
8.00 a.m. /pbaed-mong /(chaw) แปดโมง (เช้า)
9.00 a.m. /kaw-mong/เก้าโมง
10.00 a.m./ sib-mong/ สิบโมง
11.00 a.m. /sib-aed-mong/ สิบเอ็ดโมง
12.00 p.m. /tieng, tieng-wan/ เที่ยง/เที่ยงวัน
1.00 p.m./ baay-mong /บ่ายโมง
2.00 p.m. /baay-song-mong/ บ่ายสองโมง
3.00 p.m. /baay-sam-mong/ บ่ายสามโมง
4.00 p.m. /baay-see-mong/ บ่ายสี่โมง
5.00 p.m. /haa-mong-yen/ ห้าโมงเย็น
6.00 p.m. /hok-mong-yen /หกโมงเย็น
7.00 p.m. /nueng-tum/ หนึ่งทุ่ม
8.00 p.m. /song-tum/ สองทุ่ม
9.00 p.m. /sam-tum /สามทุ่ม
10.00 p.m. /see-tum /สี่ทุ่ม
11.00 p.m. /haa-tum/ ห้าทุ่ม
12.00 a.m. /tieng-kueen/ เที่ยงคืน
Hour /chua-mong/ ชั่วโมง
Minute /na-tee /นาที
Second /wi-na-tee /วินาที
Day time /ton-klang-wan/ ตอนกลางวัน
Night time /ton-klang-kueen /ตอนกลางคืน
At night fall /hua-kam /หัวค่ำ
Today /wan-nee /วันนี้
Tomorrow /prung-nee /พรุ่งนี้
Yesterday /mue-wan /เมื่อวาน
The day before yesterday/ mue-wan-sueen /เมื่อวานซืน
The day after tomorrow /ma-rueen-nee /มะรืนนี้
The day before/ wan-gon/ วันก่อน
Two days ago /song-wan-gon/ สองวันก่อน
Last week /aa-tid-tee-laew /อาทิตย์ที่แล้ว
Last month /duen-tee-laew/ เดือนที่แล้ว
Day off/holiday /wan-yud /วันหยุด
Behind the time /laa-sa-mai /ล้าสมัย
In no time /rew-rew-nee /เร็ว ๆ นี้
Out of time/ mod-wea-laa /หมดเวลา
In time /tan-wea-laa/ ทันเวลา
On time/ trong-wea-laa/ ตรงเวลา
In our culture, being on time is not taken very strictly. For example, if we arrange a meeting at 1:00 p.m. sharp, out of 20 people only a few will actually arrive on time.
Why are we not serious about punctuality?
Since childhood, we were never really trained to be disciplined. Even though teachers tried very hard to teach us using the school bell, we only followed it out of fear of punishment, not because we understood the true value of being on time.
At home, our parents came back exhausted after a long day of work. What mattered most was rest and sleep, not reinforcing discipline.
As we grew older, our culture shaped us to avoid putting pressure on our friends or the people around us. We accept lateness because insisting on punctuality might make others feel uncomfortable. In fact, if someone is always punctual, they might be seen as different, which could create pressure for the group.
Nowadays, many Thais have been changing, especially those who work with foreigners. In European culture, punctuality is very important. Every minute is valuable because time cannot be taken back. Being even one minute late could mean losing one million baht.
Because of this, the working culture in Thailand has started to change. I think this is excellent. In my opinion, when you make an appointment with someone, they expect you to respect the agreed time. By being punctual, you show respect. It is a form of good manners, and a sign of a civilized society.
Trust me, we have changed to be punctual 🙂