What's Your Colour?

Thai Colours of the Week

What's your colour? In Thai culture, each day of the week is represented by a different colour. The day you were born determines what colour is particularly lucky for you. The color is assigned based on the color of the God who protecting the day or Navagraha. For example, the God of Sunday is Surya which has red color. These colors of the day are the traditional Thai birthday colors. (Not sure what day of the week you were born?)

Monday : Yellow

King Bhumipol was born on Monday, so on his birthday throughout Thailand will be decorated with yellow color, and many Thai people wear yellow shirts in his honor. This year the King celebrates his 80th birthday; in celebration of this occasion, yellow shirts may be worn any day of the week.

Buddha image for Monday: Pang Ham Yath, making peace

Tuesday : Pink

Pink color softens the passion of red in to a gentle glow. Pink color helps the heart to make good decision, especially loving ones because it symbolizes the long-lasting and unconditional love and friendship.

Buddha image for Tuesday: Pang Sai Yas, reclining

Wednesday : Green

Wearing green on this day has come to symbolize good health.

Buddha image for Wednesday (daytime): Pang Um Baatr, holding the alms-bowl

Buddha image for Wednesday (night): Pang Par Lelai, the blessed one

Thursday : Orange

Represents hope and enchantment. It can turn the world to enchanted place to live. It encourages and brings hopes to people who have misfortune in life. Because the colour orange is associated with teachers, you may see more orange shirts than usual on National Teacher's Day, January 16.

Buddha image for Thursday: Pang Samah Thi, meditation

Friday : Blue

Just as in English it refers to the planet Venus. Blue color always symbolizes peace, calmness, and gentle dreams. It also assures smoothness and longevity of marriage. From this blue bundle sprang the Goddess Venus and blue became the color of good fortune on this day ever since.

Buddha image for Friday: Pang Ram Pueng, contemplation

Saturday : Purple

We hope your had a wonderful day and that Saturday brings you even greater joy. Black was originally the color for Saturday but because black has become associated with bad luck, the color of the day has changed to purple and many Thai people believe that wearing purple on Saturday will bring good fortune.

Buddha image for Saturday: Pang Naga Prok, protection

Sunday : Red

As in the English literally means “day of the sun”. Red became the color for Sunday, and to this day many Thai people believe that wearing red on Sundays brings good fortune.

Buddha image for Sunday: Pang Tawai Natra, restraint

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Beach and Boat Safety

Strong seasonal undercurrents at popular beach resorts pose a some-times-fatal threat to surfers and swimmers. During the monsoon season from May through October, drowning is the leading cause of death for tourists visiting the resort island of Phuket. Some, but not all, beaches have warning flags to indicate the degree of risk (red flag: sea condition dangerous for swimming; yellow flag: sea condition rough, swim with caution; green flag: sea condition stable).

Also, boat safety has become an increasing concern in Thailand. Ferries and speedboats used to transport tourists and local nationals to and from the many islands off the Thai mainland are often overcrowded and carry insufficient safety equipment. In January 2005, three U.S. citizen tourists died when the over-crowded speedboat they were in capsized and sank off the coast of Koh Samui. Three month later, two British narrowly escaped death when their dive boat sank off the coast near Phuket. We would like to encourages you to avoid travel on overcrowded boats, and to ensure that proper safety equipment (including life preservers) is available before boarding any boat or ferry.