Unlucky 13, Lucky 9 - Thai style
When the 13th of the month falls on a Friday you’ll always hear people talking about it in the UK as people are superstitious that it’s unlucky.
I’ve only just realized that Thai’s also think the number 13 is unlucky, in fact, they go to quite extreme measures to prevent number 13 from being used. Most buildings do not have a 13th floor, instead they have a 12th followed by 12a. I can’t help but checking every lift I go in to see if they have a 13th floor since a Thai buddy told me! So far I’ve not seen a 13th floor! I’ve also noticed that all Thai restaurants do not have table number 13 either.
The lucky number in Thai is number 9 - Number 9 translates to “Gal” which means to “move forward” in Thai.
It’s amazing that I still learn so much everyday about Thailand and Thai culture even though I’ve been here a good while now, I would never had thought there is so many little things to learn about the differences between my culture and theirs - I love it!
In about a year and a half, expect to see a LOT of marriages on September 9th, 2009 (9/9/9). Three 9’s is a HUGE deal. Yes, I realize the Thai year is 543 higher, but they adopt well.
Regarding 13th floor: It is the same in the US, but there isn’t a 12A, 13 is just skipped. I didn’t realize that about Thailand, but I rarely go into tall buildings while there… thanks for the info.
So if the Chinese love the number 8, then it’s 9 for Thai. Got it. Love this new thing I learned!
And 12A? I’d still hate to live or work on 12A because at the back of my mind I’ll always be thinking I’m on the 13th!
Thanks for the info on the number 13.
I was just thinking if Thailand has the superstition about number 13 as well and there your site pops mup with an explanation. Thank you for that.
I am still not sure how a number can have such a superstition attached to it. Especially hard to understand since it seems to be internationally. It is said that 13 Families Globally run the show on planet earth (Illuminaties). Who knows. Thank you and enjoy Thailand. I love it there too.
We did that to suit the foreigner. Actually, number 13 does not scare us at all.