Thai Times

Covering the Thai Renaissance
Thursday, Jul 16, 2026

Popular Thai Catchphrases That Made Waves in 2023

In 2023, several Thai catchphrases gained popularity, resonating with current events. Notable terms include "digital money," "soft power," and "Chin Thao" (suggesting questionable Chinese businesses).
Krunthep Turakij compiled a list of trending expressions, ranging from Thai to English, and combinations thereof.

Key phrases of the year are:

- "kee mong" (meaning "when"), used to express skepticism, such as doubting Thailand's World Cup prospects.
- "First Thai," mocking people falsely claiming to be the first at something.
- "Digital money," following the Pheu Thai Party's promise of a 10,000-baht digital wallet handout for those 16 and older, prompting questions about its distribution.
- "Chin Thao," referring to illicit Chinese enterprises.
- "Cham," originally meaning "extremely juicy," used for emphasis, with over 68 million mentions.
- "Cha Thai" (Thai tea), tied to global popularity and copyright disputes.
- "Chai Thrae," a twist on "Chai Thae" (real men), now implies male chauvinism.
- "Choc Mint," associated with Pheu Thai leader Paetongta Shinawatra's favorite drink and her party.
- "Short feel," a twist on "short-circuit," indicating an abrupt interruption that deeply offends.
- "Soft power," a term used widely after Pheu Thai's policy promotion.
- "Third crown coming," the rallying cry of Thai netizens during the Miss Universe pageant in support of Anntonia Porsild.
- "Whose fortune?" a compliment to attractive individuals on social media.
- "I told Phrae Mae Laxmi about you," a tag used for romantic intentions, invoking the goddess of love, Laxmi.
- "Woke," used to convey a sense of political disenchantment.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Spain in Ecstasy: "We Feel Unbeatable, We Taught the Whole World a Lesson"
Forget Tinder: The Surprising Platform Where People Find Love
DITTO and Token X Launch Carbon Credit Token Offering to Raise 480 Million Baht
Thailand Tourism Authority Targets 2.9 Trillion Baht Revenue by 2027 Through AI and High-Value Travel Strategy
Thailand Prepares to Host IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings With Global Financial Agenda
Harvard Astrophysicist to Lead U.S. Scientific Advisory on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
Emergency Sirens Activated Across Bahrain as Interior Ministry Issues Shelter Directives
Thailand Advances 'Bangkok Blueprint' Ahead of International Monetary Fund and World Bank Meetings
Thailand Revises Visa-Free Entry Rules While Preserving Access for Indian Visitors
Thailand Approves Five Technology Cooperation Agreements With China Covering Advanced Research and Innovation
Thailand Advances Regional Tourism Cooperation Through the ASEAN Tourism Sectoral Plan 2026–2030
Tourism Authority of Thailand Expands International Partnerships to Strengthen Sustainable Tourism and Regional Connectivity
Thailand Generates More Than Seven Hundred Eighty-Two Billion Baht in Tourism Revenue as International Arrivals Exceed Sixteen Million
Tourism Authority of Thailand Sets Two Trillion Nine Hundred Billion Baht Tourism Revenue Target for 2027
Thailand Reviews Visa-Free Entry Rules While Preserving Access for Key Tourism Markets
Tourism Authority of Thailand Expands Artificial Intelligence Strategy to Increase Visitor Revenue and Improve Global Targeting
Thailand Prepares Major Motorway and Double-Track Railway Expansion to Strengthen National Logistics Network
Thailand Cabinet Advances Sustainable City Framework for United Nations Recognition and Long-Term Urban Development
Thailand to End Tax-Free Treatment for Low-Value Imported Online Goods
Bank of Thailand Set to Extend Full Mortgage Lending Support Through Mid-2027
Thailand Unveils "The New Thailand" Tourism Strategy Focused on Higher-Spending Visitors
Centara Expands Regional Presence With Second Vietnam Hotel
Thailand Leads Southeast Asia in Short-Form Content Revenue as TikTok Plans Expansion
Bank of Thailand Tightens Oversight of Suspicious Capital Flows
Tourism Authority Shifts Strategy Toward Higher-Spending Travelers
Hyundai to Export Thailand-Built Electric Vehicles to Australia
Thailand Surpasses Sixteen Million International Visitors as Tourism Recovery Gains Momentum
Foreign Investors Return to Thai Stock Market as Confidence Improves
Prime Minister to Visit China to Seek Technology and Artificial Intelligence Investment
Thai Commerce Delegation Heads to Washington to Defend Fifty Billion United States Dollar Trade Surplus
Thailand Hosts Rare ASEAN Talks With Myanmar Foreign Minister
Government Orders Safety Overhaul After Deadly Bangkok Entertainment Venue Fire
Public Safety and Social Issues Remain Among Thailand’s Most Followed News Topics
Thailand’s Political and Economic Policy Debates Gain Attention as Government Decisions Approach
Thailand–Cambodia Border Tensions Continue Drawing National Attention in Thai Rath Coverage
Dramatic footage from Bangkok: 27 killed in pub fire as massive flames erupted while revelers fled
Thailand Strengthens Crackdown on Counterfeit Goods Through Government and Shopee Partnership
Thailand Positions Data Centre Investment as the Next Major Driver of Economic Growth
Thailand Launches National Defence Industry Drive to Strengthen Domestic Manufacturing and Security Innovation
Thailand and Malaysia Deepen Regional Economic Integration Through Trade and Connectivity
Bangkok Accelerates Climate-Resilient Urban Infrastructure Through Park and Canal Development
Thai Airways Uses Lower Fuel Costs to Support Tourism Growth and Market Competitiveness
Artificial Intelligence Investment and Digital Infrastructure Become Central to Thailand's Next Phase of Economic Growth
Foreign Investment Continues Driving Thailand's Advanced Manufacturing and Electric Vehicle Expansion
Thailand Issues Severe Weather Warnings as Typhoon Bavi Strengthens Monsoon Conditions
Bangkok Expands Green Corridor and Canal Restoration Projects to Improve Climate Resilience
Thai Airways Cuts International Airfares and Enhances Loyalty Programme to Boost Tourism
Thailand and Malaysia Target Thirty Billion United States Dollars in Bilateral Trade
Twenty-Seven Killed in Bangkok Chatuchak Pub Fire as Authorities Order Citywide Safety Inspections
Thailand Approves Two Billion United States Dollars in Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Infrastructure Projects
×