Standard Terminology Guide
The list below sets out 30 core terms commonly found in Thai religious belief and traditional culture, each shown with the original Thai term, an approximate English-letter pronunciation in parentheses, and its English meaning.
Note: the romanized pronunciations below have not yet been checked by a native Thai speaker; please verify before publishing.
1. บุญ (bun) — Merit
2. ทำบุญ (tham bun) — Make Merit
3. สะเดาะเคราะห์ (sadao khro) — Removal of Misfortune / Misfortune-Relief Ritual
4. เสริมดวง (soem duang) — Fortune Enhancement / Auspicious Support
5. เปิดดวง (poet duang) — Opening One’s Fortune
6. ต่อชะตา (to chata) — Life & Fortune Extension
7. สืบชะตา (suep chata) — Lanna Life-Continuation Ceremony
8. เมตตามหานิยม (metta maha niyom) — Loving-Kindness & Popularity
9. มหาเสน่ห์ (maha sane) — Personal Charm & Attraction
10. สาริกาลิ้นทอง (sarika lin thong) — Golden-Tongue Sarika
11. นะหน้าทอง (na na thong) — Na Na Thong Gold-Face Blessing
12. พระเครื่อง (phra khrueang) — Thai Amulet
When addressing general Vietnamese customers, the market-facing term “Phật bài” may be used, while the body text clarifies that it belongs to the phra khrueang (Thai amulet) tradition.