What Thai New Year greeting is commonly exchanged during Songkran?

The common Thai New Year greeting exchanged during Songkran is “Sawasdee Pi Mai.”

The phrase combines sawasdee, a general Thai greeting meaning “hello” or “good wishes,” with pi mai, meaning “new year.” It is used during the festival alongside expressions of good fortune and blessings for the year ahead.

Songkran greetings are shared with family members, friends, neighbors, and visitors. The holiday’s emphasis on renewal, respect, and family makes verbal greetings part of a broader set of customs that includes temple visits, merit-making, and asking elders for blessings.

“Sawasdee Pi Mai” is not the name of the festival itself. Songkran is the festival, while the phrase is a seasonal greeting. In everyday Thai, the exact pronunciation and romanization may vary, but this spelling is the widely recognized English transliteration.