The words of Thailand

Thailand — quotes, proverbs & wisdom

Real words from the people of Thailand, each with a verified source. New quotes are added as each is fact-checked.

“When the water rises, hurry to scoop it up.”

น้ำขึ้นให้รีบตัก

Source: Traditional Thai proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Slowly, slowly, and you get a fine blade.”

ช้า ๆ ได้พร้าเล่มงาม

Source: Traditional Thai proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Hot water, the fish lives; cold water, the fish dies.”

น้ำร้อนปลาเป็น น้ำเย็นปลาตาย

Source: Traditional Thai proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“If you love your cow, tie it up; if you love your child, discipline them.”

รักวัวให้ผูก รักลูกให้ตี

Source: Traditional Thai proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“By the time the beans are cooked, the sesame is burnt.”

กว่าถั่วจะสุกงาก็ไหม้

Source: Traditional Thai proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Entering a town where people squint, you must squint along too.”

เข้าเมืองตาหลิ่ว ต้องหลิ่วตาตาม

Source: Traditional Thai proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“The climbing perch dies because of its mouth.”

ปลาหมอตายเพราะปาก

Source: Traditional Thai proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Still water flows deep.”

น้ำนิ่งไหลลึก

Source: Traditional Thai proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“To plough the field on other people's backs.”

ทำนาบนหลังคน

Source: Traditional Thai proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Oneself is one's own refuge.”

ตนเป็นที่พึ่งแห่งตน

Source: Buddhist saying rooted in the Dhammapada (Attavagga), widely used in Thai tradition