And a happy new year

Remember that it's 2553 in the Thai calendar. It's a lunar calendar, so subject to fluxuation relative to the Gregorian calendar, but then it was solidified: Official Thai New Year runs from April 13-15.

It's 2553 and the lunar calendar is fixed, okay? Just go with it.

But we're coming up on New Year's, and banners celebrate 2554.

So in Thailand, the lunar New Year has been fixed to Songkran, April 13-15, but the flipping of the calendar corresponds with the Western tradition of January 1.

So, what year is it, and when does that change?

Exactly.

Just nod and smile, farang.

Welcome to Thailand.