Months in Thai: Complete Guide to the 12 Thai Months with Pronunciation

Why Learn the Months in Thai

If you live in Thailand or plan to stay for a while, learning the months in Thai is one of the most practical steps you can take. You will see Thai month names on calendars, official documents, bank statements, and holiday announcements. Knowing them helps you read dates, book appointments, and understand when festivals happen.

Thai month names follow patterns that make them easier to remember than 12 unrelated words. Once you learn the common endings and a few pronunciation rules, the 12 names become much easier to recall.

This guide gives you every month in Thai script, a readable transliteration, and the English equivalent. It also explains how Thai dates are spoken, how abbreviations work, and a simple practice routine you can use daily.

Before you start, it helps to be familiar with the Thai writing system. If you are new to the script, review our guide to the Thai alphabet first. You can also expand your vocabulary with common Thai words used in everyday life.

The 12 Months in Thai

Here are all 12 months in Thai. The table shows the English month, the Thai spelling, and a readable transliteration. Use the transliteration as a guide, but listen to native audio when possible to match the tones.

Notes on the Transliterations

The transliterations above use a simplified system. The marks above vowels indicate tones. For example, the rising tone in “sǐng” for August is shown with a small upward mark. If you are not familiar with Thai tones, start by copying the sounds from a native speaker or a reliable audio source.

Some transliterations vary between sources. You may see January written as “mokarakhom” or “mók-gà-raa-kom.” Both refer to the same Thai word. The version in this table aims to show syllable breaks clearly.

Understanding the Month Endings

Thai month names often end in one of 3 patterns: -khom, -yon, or -phan. Grouping them by ending gives you a practical memory aid. You do not need to learn the historical origins of the endings before you can use the months correctly.

The -khom Ending

Months ending in -khom come from the Sanskrit word “āgama,” meaning “arrival.” In the Thai calendar context, this ending appears in months tied to the zodiac signs. The -khom months are:

• January: มกราคม (mók-gà-raa-kom)
• March: มีนาคม (mii-naa-kom)
• May: พฤษภาคม (prʉ́t-sà-paa-kom)
• July: กรกฎาคม (gà-rá-gà-daa-kom)
• August: สิงหาคม (sǐng-hǎa-kom)
• October: ตุลาคม (dtù-laa-kom)
• December: ธันวาคม (tan-waa-kom)

Seven of the 12 months use this ending. That makes -khom the most common month suffix in Thai.

The -yon Ending

The -yon months are:

• April: เมษายน (mee-sǎa-yon)
• June: มิถุนายน (mí-tù-naa-yon)
• September: กันยายน (gan-yaa-yon)
• November: พฤศจิกายน (prʉ́t-sà-jì-gaa-yon)

4 months use this ending.

The -phan Ending

Only 1 month ends in -phan:

• February: กุมภาพันธ์ (gum-paa-pan)

February is the only month with this ending.

Why These Endings Matter

Learning these endings helps you group the months. Instead of memorizing 12 unrelated words, you can learn 7 -khom months, 3 -yon months, and 1 -phan month. This reduces the memory load and helps you recognize patterns when you see Thai dates in writing.

How to Pronounce the Months in Thai

Thai pronunciation is different from English in three key ways: vowel length, consonant sounds, and tones. Here is what to watch for with month names.

Vowel Length

Thai vowels can be short or long. The difference changes the meaning of a word. In month names, pay attention to these examples:

• March: มีนาคม (mii-naa-kom). The first syllable “mii” has a long vowel. Hold the “ee” sound.
• April: เมษายน (mee-sǎa-yon). The first syllable “mee” has a long vowel. The second syllable “sǎa” also has a long vowel.
• June: มิถุนายน (mí-tù-naa-yon). The first syllable “mí” has a short vowel. Keep it crisp.

Consonant Sounds

Some Thai consonants do not exist in English. Here are the ones that appear in month names:

• The aspirated “kh” sound in -khom. It is like the “k” in “kite,” with a puff of air.
• The unaspirated “g” sound in กรกฎาคม (gà-rá-gà-daa-kom). It is closer to the “g” in “go” but without the strong English voicing.
• The “dt” sound in ตุลาคม (dtù-laa-kom). It is between a “d” and a “t.” Place your tongue behind your upper teeth and release without a puff of air.
• The “ng” sound at the start of สิงหาคม (sǐng-hǎa-kom). English has this sound at the end of words like “sing,” but Thai uses it at the start of syllables.

Tones

Every Thai syllable has a tone. Month names are no exception. For example, August สิงหาคม (sǐng-hǎa-kom) has a rising tone on the first syllable and a rising tone on the second. If you say it with flat tones, a Thai speaker may still understand you from context, but it will sound unnatural.

If you are new to tones, do not try to memorize all of them at once. Focus on one month at a time. Listen, repeat, and record yourself.

How Thai Dates Are Spoken

In Thai, dates are spoken in a different order than in English. The format is:

day + month + year

For example, “January 15, 2025” becomes:

วันที่ 15 เดือนมกราคม พ.ศ. 2568

wan-tîi sìp-hâa deuan mók-gà-raa-kom por-sǒr sǒng pan hâa rɔ́ɔi hòk-sìp bpàet

This means “day 15, month January, Buddhist Era 2568.”

The Word for Month

The Thai word for month is เดือน (deuan). You use it before the month name when speaking a full date. For example:

เดือนมกราคม (deuan mók-gà-raa-kom) means “the month of January.”

The Buddhist Era Year

Thailand uses the Buddhist Era, or พ.ศ. (por-sǒr), which is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar. So 2025 in the Gregorian calendar is 2568 in the Thai calendar. When you read a date in Thailand, the year is usually in Buddhist Era unless stated otherwise.

Asking for the Date

To ask “What is the date today?” in Thai, say:

วันนี้วันที่เท่าไหร่

wan-níi wan-tîi tâo-rài

This is a useful phrase for daily practice.

Abbreviations for Months in Thai

Thai months are often abbreviated in calendars and informal writing. The abbreviation is usually the first syllable or first few letters of the month name.

Here are the common abbreviations:

The pattern is simple. Take the first syllable of the month name and add a period. You will see these abbreviations on Thai calendars, receipts, and official forms.

A Simple Practice Routine

Learning the months in Thai takes consistent practice. Here is a 10 minute daily routine that works well for English speakers.

Week 1: Learn the -khom Months

Start with the 7 months that end in -khom. Write them down by hand. Say each one out loud 5 times. Focus on the aspirated “kh” sound at the end.

• January: มกราคม (mók-gà-raa-kom)
• March: มีนาคม (mii-naa-kom)
• May: พฤษภาคม (prʉ́t-sà-paa-kom)
• July: กรกฎาคม (gà-rá-gà-daa-kom)
• August: สิงหาคม (sǐng-hǎa-kom)
• October: ตุลาคม (dtù-laa-kom)
• December: ธันวาคม (tan-waa-kom)

Week 2: Learn the -yon and -phan Months

Add the remaining 5 months. Practice them together with the -khom months from week 1.

• February: กุมภาพันธ์ (gum-paa-pan)
• April: เมษายน (mee-sǎa-yon)
• June: มิถุนายน (mí-tù-naa-yon)
• September: กันยายน (gan-yaa-yon)
• November: พฤศจิกายน (prʉ́t-sà-jì-gaa-yon)

Week 3: Practice Full Dates

Once you know all 12 months, practice saying full dates. Pick a random day and say it in Thai. For example:

วันที่ 3 เดือนกุมภาพันธ์

wan-tîi sǎam deuan gum-paa-pan

This means “the 3rd of February.”

Week 4: Use Abbreviations

Look at a Thai calendar and read the month abbreviations out loud. Match each abbreviation to the full month name. This builds reading speed and recognition.

Daily Habit

Every morning, say today’s date in Thai. It takes 30 seconds and keeps the vocabulary fresh. If you do this for a month, the month names will become automatic.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the mistakes English speakers make most often when learning the months in Thai.

Mistake 1: Pronouncing -khom Like “comb”

The -khom ending is not pronounced like the English word “comb.” The “kh” is aspirated, like the “k” in “kite.” The vowel is a short “o” sound. Say “kom,” not “comb.”

Mistake 2: Ignoring Vowel Length

In March มีนาคม (mii-naa-kom), the first vowel is long. In June มิถุนายน (mí-tù-naa-yon), the first vowel is short. If you mix these up, you may confuse the months.

Mistake 3: Using English Month Names

Some foreigners in Thailand use English month names like “January” or “February” when speaking Thai. Thai speakers may understand you, but it is better to use the Thai names. It shows respect and helps you practice.

Mistake 4: Forgetting the Buddhist Era Year

When you write or say a year in Thailand, it is usually in Buddhist Era. If you say “2025” instead of “2568,” you may confuse the listener. Always check which calendar is being used.

Months in Thai vs. Days of the Week

Thai days of the week are also unique. They are named after planets and celestial bodies. For example, Monday is วันจันทร์ (wan jan), named after the moon. Friday is วันศุกร์ (wan sùk), named after Venus.

If you are learning the months, it makes sense to learn the days of the week too. Together, they give you the vocabulary to talk about any date. You can find more foundational vocabulary in our guide to common Thai words.

How to Read Thai Dates on Official Documents

Thai official documents often use the abbreviated month names. For example, a date might appear as:

15 ม.ค. 2568

This means January 15, 2025 in the Gregorian calendar. The abbreviation ม.ค. stands for มกราคม (mók-gà-raa-kom).

Here is how to read it:

วันที่ 15 เดือนมกราคม พ.ศ. 2568

wan-tîi sìp-hâa deuan mók-gà-raa-kom por-sǒr sǒng pan hâa rɔ́ɔi hòk-sìp bpàet

If you see a year that starts with 25, it is likely the Buddhist Era year. Subtract 543 to get the Gregorian year. So 2568 minus 543 equals 2025.

Tips for Memorizing the Months in Thai

Here are practical tips that work for English speakers.

Use Flashcards

Make flashcards with the English month on one side and the Thai month on the other. Include the Thai script and the transliteration. Review them for 5 minutes a day.

Group by Ending

Group the months by their endings: -khom, -yon, and -phan. This reduces the memory load from 12 items to 3 groups.

Say the Date Daily

Every morning, say today’s date in Thai. This is the single most effective habit for learning the months.

Listen to Native Speakers

Find audio of native Thai speakers saying the months. Repeat after them. Pay attention to tones and vowel length.

Write by Hand

Writing the Thai script by hand helps you remember the spelling. It also builds your familiarity with the Thai alphabet.

FAQ

How do you say “month” in Thai?

The Thai word for month is เดือน (deuan). You use it before the month name when speaking a full date, such as เดือนมกราคม (deuan mók-gà-raa-kom) for “the month of January.”

What is the Thai word for January?

January in Thai is มกราคม (mók-gà-raa-kom). The abbreviation is ม.ค.

Why do Thai month names end in -khom, -yon, or -phan?

The endings are useful patterns for learning the words. Group the months by their ending, then practise the full spelling and pronunciation of each month. You can use the groups as a memory aid without memorising their historical origins.

How do you say the date in Thai?

Thai dates follow the order day, month, year. For example, January 15, 2025 is วันที่ 15 เดือนมกราคม พ.ศ. 2568 (wan-tîi sìp-hâa deuan mók-gà-raa-kom por-sǒr sǒng pan hâa rɔ́ɔi hòk-sìp bpàet).

What calendar year does Thailand use?

Thailand uses the Buddhist Era, which is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar. The year 2025 in the Gregorian calendar is 2568 in the Thai calendar.

Are Thai month names hard to pronounce?

They can be challenging at first because of tones, vowel length, and unfamiliar consonants. But with daily practice, most learners can say all 12 months clearly within a few weeks.

Do Thai people use English month names?

Some Thai people know English month names, especially in business or tourism contexts. But in everyday speech and on official documents, Thai month names are standard.

How can I practice the months in Thai every day?

Say today’s date in Thai every morning. Use flashcards for 5 minutes a day. Listen to native audio and repeat. Write the Thai script by hand to reinforce spelling.