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Friday, March 29, 2024

Mai Pen Rai – What Does It Really Mean In Thai?

Mai pen rai is one of the most commonly used phrases in Thailand.

But it isn’t just a phrase. It has a cultural significance that reflects an attitude to life, and, as we’ll discuss, it doesn’t always mean what us “foreigners” think it means.

Don’t Worry, It’s Okay

The most commonly understood meaning of mai pen rai is “Don’t worry”, which is wrapped up in a “Let it go” mentality.

Let’s say you arrive at the train station with your partner just as your train pulls away.

Instead of getting stressed because the next train isn’t for another 25 minutes, your partner says “Mai pen rai, let’s grab a coffee and sit down for a while”.

While you’re still cursing your lateness, and your partner because she took ages doing her hair back at the house, your partner has already moved on from the situation and is looking forward to her coffee.

In this context, mai pen rai can be used to…

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