Jingjok
พี่ and น้อง at the office
pîi / náawng
Thai offices run on the same seniority as families. Colleagues older or more senior than you are พี่ + nickname, and juniors are น้อง, whatever the job titles say. Bosses may be called พี่, คุณ + name, or by a title. Seniority shapes small habits: juniors greet first with a wai, refill drinks at team dinners, and often take on errands. Seniors in turn are expected to look after their juniors, and the most senior person often pays (เลี้ยง) for the team meal. A good boss is praised as เป็นกันเอง, approachable and relaxed. When you leave before others, say กลับก่อนนะครับ / คะ: it acknowledges the people still working.
Try this today
Ask a colleague what nickname they'd like you to use, and call them พี่ + that name.
The words that carry it
Learn this in “Work and LINE chat” →
Your first 90 days of Thai
Culture cards in Jingjok are tied to the words that carry them, each ending in one thing to try today.
- WEEKS 1–2 · SURVIVEGreet anyone, pay, and order food and 7-Eleven exactly how you like it.
- WEEKS 3–6 · SETTLE INGet around by taxi, Grab and skytrain, find anything, and handle your landlord.
- WEEKS 7–12 · RUN YOUR LIFEPharmacy, bank, SIM and apps, how you feel, and a weekend away, all in Thai.
The first week is free.