How much should I put in an ang pao?
Red envelope customs for Chinese New Year in Thailand
Ang pao and tae eia customs in Thailand
Red envelopes, known in Thailand as ang pao or tae eia, are a Chinese New Year custom kept by Thai-Chinese families and many others. Here is who gives to whom, commonly mentioned amounts, and the number beliefs.
The usual custom is that married or working adults give red envelopes to children and unmarried relatives. Working adults also give ang pao to their parents and elderly relatives as a sign of gratitude. Some companies give red envelopes to staff at Chinese New Year as well.
Commonly mentioned ranges for children in the family are around 100 to 500 baht each, with very close nieces and nephews sometimes receiving more. What adult children give their parents depends heavily on each family's means and customs, so there is no typical figure. The key courtesy is to give the same amount to children of the same generation so nobody feels left out.
On numbers, the widely held belief is that even amounts are preferred and that 8 is favoured because it sounds like the word for prosperity in Chinese, while 4 is avoided because it sounds like the word for death. Many people skip 400 baht and choose 200, 500 or 888 instead. These are cultural beliefs, not rules.
Other customs are to use a red envelope, put in crisp new notes, hand it over with both hands along with a New Year greeting, and for the recipient not to open it in front of the giver. Most red envelopes come with printed greetings, so writing on them is optional, though adding the recipient's name in a corner helps when you are preparing many.
If you are preparing envelopes for several people and want amounts that fit each relationship, the envelope tool suggests a range with reasoning once you tell it who you are giving to, how many, and your overall budget.
How to use
- The event is already set to "Chinese New Year" on this page; you can switch it if needed.
- Pick your relationship to the recipient, such as family, close friend or colleague.
- Add details: children or adults, how many envelopes you need, and your total budget.
- Sign in and request a suggestion. Each request costs 10 coins, refunded if generation fails.
- Review the range and tips, then split your budget across each envelope.
Frequently asked questions
How much do you put in an ang pao for a child in Thailand?+
Commonly mentioned ranges are about 100 to 500 baht per child, with very close nieces and nephews sometimes receiving more. Keep amounts equal for children of the same generation.
How much ang pao should I give my parents?+
It depends on each family's means and customs, so there is no typical figure. Most parents value the gesture more than the amount.
Which numbers should I avoid in an ang pao?+
The common belief is to avoid 4, which sounds like the word for death in Chinese, and to prefer even amounts or the number 8. These are beliefs rather than rules.
Who gives red envelopes at Chinese New Year?+
Typically married or working adults give to children and unmarried relatives, and working adults give to their parents and elders. Customs vary between families.
What is the difference between ang pao and tae eia?+
Ang pao refers to the red envelope, and tae eia to the money elders give children at New Year. In everyday Thai the two terms are often used interchangeably.
Should I open an ang pao in front of the giver?+
It is considered polite not to. Receive it with both hands, say thank you or return a greeting, and open it later.
Do I need to write anything on an ang pao?+
Usually not, as most envelopes have printed greetings. Writing the recipient's name in a corner helps if you are preparing many.