‘P’ represents the word พี่ (pronounced as “pee”) in the Thai language. As a tourist or an ex-pat living in Thailand you may have witnessed the use of this word several times as it is commonly used among Thai locals to address themselves. Because of that you can’t help but wonder what it means in Thai.
The primary objective of this article is to help you understand what ‘P’ means in Thai, and the circumstances it is most likely used.
As earlier said, P represents the word พี่ which is pronounced as “pee” but only with a falling tone, commonly used in the second or third person to address individuals of roughly the same generation but older. In other words, “pee” literally means “older sibling” but can also be used in addressing anyone old enough to be your older sibling irrespective of their gender.
Furthermore, the use of P can also be used in addressing people of higher status. Even in situations where there are both of the same age, the ones who serve the others of higher status often refer to them as “pee”. This goes as far as proving that chronological age is not the only determining factor. The overall determining factor for an individual to be addressed as “pee” not just in Thailand, but in all of Asia is status. For a fact, age does play a major role in determining a person’s status, but so do wealth, reputation, and occupation. This is mostly the case in a country like Vietnam, where personal interactions can’t take place without the persons involved acknowledging their mutual status.
Compared to western countries, this scenario is much more obvious in Asia because the societies in Asia operate on a much more inflexible social hierarchy identified as role and rule; in society, everyone is expected to know their “role” and must heed the stipulated “rules” related to that role. Thailand may be coming out of this inflexible social hierarchy, but slowly.
In Thai culture, age and social rank are the bedrock of order. This is very important not just because it influences the way Thais address themselves, but also in the manner in which they conduct themselves. Older people and those with high social ranks command respect whether or not they’ve earned it. A younger person or a person of lower social rank is expected to listen, respect, and abide by what an older person or person with a higher rank has to say whether or not they agree with it.
How Do You Address A Younger Person In Thai?
Just as an older person is addressed as “pee” followed by their names, a younger person is addressed as “Nong”, which can also be used in addressing people of lower status by those of higher status within social ranks.
How Do You Address People In Thai?
Thai names are often preceded by “Khun” which means Mr, Mrs, or Miss in English, except in situations where a person has a certain higher degree such as engineer, or doctor. Khun is a term used irrespective of a person’s marital status or gender. In situations where a person’s name is unknown, you can always address them as Khun. Nicknames are also very common in Thailand, and most people prefer being addressed by their nicknames.
Thais often address themselves by first names and titles only, however, last names are reserved for formal occasions and when writing to each other. The last names of people in Thailand are difficult to pronounce even for Thais. It is almost certain that people with the same last names are related in one way or the other.
Foreigners in Thailand are often addressed by their actual names by Thais because it is always easier; this does not in any way indicate familiarity.
When meeting and greeting people in Thailand, men are required to say Sawatdee-krap, while women are required to say Sawatdee-Kah. Thais also use “wai” to greet each other. However, foreigners are not allowed to reciprocate the “wai” gesture, but if a “wai” isn’t reciprocated among Thais it is considered an insult. In cases where wai isn’t said to you, nod with a smile to women while you shake hands with men.
