The Royal Anthem

khâ wōrá phûttháchâo,	ข้าวรพุทธเจ้า	We, Your Majesty's loyal subjects,
āo mánō láe sìrá krān,	เอามโนและศิรกราน	Pay homage with deep heartfelt veneration,
nâp phrá phūmíbān būnyá dìrèk,	นบพระภูมิบาล บุญญะดิเรก	To the supreme Protector of the Realm,
èk bōrōmmá chàkkrīn phrá sàyǎ mīn,	เอกบรมจักริน พระสยามินทร์	The mightiest of monarchs complete with transcendent virtues,
phrá yôtsà yîng yōng, yēn sìrá phró phrá bōríibān,	พระยศยิ่งยง เย็นศิระ เพราะพระบริบาล	Under whose benevolent rule, we your subjects,
phǒn phrákhūn thá râksǎ, pūang pràchā pēn sùksǎn	ผลพระคุณ ธ รักษา ปวงประชาเป็นสุขสานต์	Receive protection and happiness, Prosperity and peace.
khǒ bāndān, thá pràsǒng dāi,	ขอบันดาล ธ ประสงค์ใด	And we wish that whatsoever Your Majesty may desire,
chōng sàrìt dāng, wǎng wōrá hàrúethāi,	จงสฤษดิ์ดังหวังวรหฤทัย	The same may be fulfilled.
dùt-chà thàwǎi chāi, chá-yō.	ดุจถวายชัย ชโย	Hurrah!

Last week, we prepared ourselves to celebrate Christmas tradition by learning how to sing two most well known carols in Thai. The next festivity in line is New Year's.

On its happy atmosphere, we sing many songs with jubilant tunes and lyrics giving our best wishes to everyone. One of those songs which brings blessings for the New Year is by His Majesty King Bhumibol - Pon Pi Mai (New Year Greeting).

As you might have known, His Majesty has composed 48 songs. Pon Pi Mai is his thirteenth, composed in December 1951 and first played to the public on January 1, 1952. The song has no English version, so the English translation is not official.

However, Pon Pi Mai carries His Majesty's statement of goodwill to our non-Thai-speaking friends. Shall we get geared up to welcome the coming year by practicing the royally-bestowed song as well?

Phon Pi Mai / New Year Greeting

sàwàtdī wānpīmài phā	สวัสดีวันปีใหม่พา	This Happy New Year day makes
hâi bāndā rāo thân rûenrōm	ให้บรรดาเราท่านรื่นรมย์	you all merry and full of joy.
rôekyām dī premprī chûenchōm	ฤกษ์ยามดีเปรมปรีด์ชื่นชม	It’s a hopeful time overflowing with happiness.
tàng sùksǒm níyōm yīndī	ต่างสุขสมนิยมยินดี	All are filled with happiness and delight.
khâ wīngwōn khǒ phōn chàk fá	ข้าฯวิงวอนขอพรจากฟ้า	I pray that Heaven will bless
hâi bāndā pūangthân sùksǐ	ให้บรรดาปวงท่านสุขศรี	you all with happiness!
pròt pràthān phōn dōi prānī	โปรดประทานพรโดยปรานี	Kindly bless
hâi chāothāi lúan mī chôkchāi	ให้ชาวไทยล้วนมีโชคชัย	all Thai people with good fortune.
hâi bāndā pūangthân sùksǎn	ให้บรรดาปวงท่านสุขสันต์	May all of you be happy,
thûkwān thûkkhūen rûenrōm hâi sǒmrúethāi	ทุกวันทุกคืนรื่นรมย์ให้ สมฤทัย	cheerful and satisfied every day and every night.
hâi rûngrūeang nāi wānpīmài	ให้รุ่งเรืองในวันปีใหม่	Be prosperous on this most promising day of the New Year!
khǒ chāothāi chōng sàwàtdī	ขอชาวไทยจงสวัสดี	May all Thais be happy!
tàlòt pī chōng mī sùkchāi	ตลอดปีจงมีสุขใจ	May all you be happy,
tàlòt pāi nâp tàe bàtní	ตลอดไปนับแต่บัดนี้	Beginning from now
hâi sîn thûk sùkkàsēm prēmprī	ให้สิ้นทุกข์สุขเกษม เปรมปรีดิ์	Be rid of unhappiness; be filled only with contentment and joy!
sàwàtdī wānpīmài thōen	สวัสดีวันปีใหม่เทอญ	Happy, Happy New Year!

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This lesson was prepared by Acharn Sunee Siidao, Educational Specialist.

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Last modified: December 18, 2006 |

Welcome back to a new adaptation of Phût Phāsǎ Thāi after our transitional Songkran break. As per the valued suggestions of our readers, the transliterations now follow the Royal Institute's system (http://www.royin.go.th/th/profile/index.php), which includes tone markers. In terms of content, the column will continue to provide you with everyday language on specific topics.

๑๙ thanwakhom ๒๕๔๙   ( 19 December 2006)

Phût phāsǎ Thai The Thai Royal Anthem and New Year’s greetings phlēng sǎnsǒen phrá bārámī láe phlēng phōn pī mài During the celebration week of His Majesty's birthday, we've heard the Thai Royal Anthem played upon each of his arrivals and departures. Some fans have expressed interest in its lyrics. Therefore, this week we're singing one of the most frequently played songs, the song for the royal family. The royal song is played in the presence of Their Majesties the King and Queen, the Princess Mother, the Crown Prince, or the King's representative. It is also played in cinemas and other occasions when an image of His Majesty is present. It is called the Thai Royal Anthem.