Auspicious Days to Buy a Car in Thailand 2027: Month-by-Month Dates and Days to Avoid

In Thailand, the auspicious day to collect a car in 2027 (B.E. 2570) comes from the Kalayok calendar: pick a Thong Chai or Athibodi day and avoid Ubat, Lokawinat and the owner's unlucky day. The chart changes on 16 April 2027, so good days are Saturdays early in the year, then Thursdays and Sundays. If you are buying used on Talata, the marketplace that brings vehicle listings together in one place, the same table helps you agree a handover day.

What Is an Auspicious Day to Collect a Car?

An auspicious day to collect a car, roek ok rot in Thai, is a date and time believed to be lucky for driving a new car away for the first time, so that the car brings smooth and safe journeys.

Most Thai families start with the Kalayok, a yearly chart from Thai astrology that marks which days of the week are favourable and which to avoid. It does not reset on 1 January. It changes on Thaloeng Sok, the Thai astrological new year, which in 2027 falls on Friday 16 April at 20:52. One calendar year therefore carries two different sets of good days.

Thong Chai, Athibodi, Ubat and Lokawinat days in 2027

Thong Chai is the day of victory and Athibodi the day of greatness, and both are popular for important beginnings. Ubat and Lokawinat are the days most people keep clear of anything auspicious.

Notice that early in the year Monday is a Thong Chai day and a Lokawinat day at the same time. This guide does not count those Mondays as good days; the section on days to avoid explains why.

Why different Thai calendars give different dates

If you have checked a few websites and found dates that do not match, nobody is necessarily wrong. Some calendars use only the weekly Kalayok, some use the daily lunar version, some add finer timings or the Phrommachat almanac, and some follow the Chinese calendar. One Thai astrology site, for example, labels Friday 1 January 2027 as "Thong Chai" because it counts by lunar day, while the weekly Kalayok makes Monday the Thong Chai day for that period. Other sites spread good days across every day of the week.

This guide sticks to one rule throughout: Thong Chai and Athibodi days from the Kalayok, minus any that clash with Ubat or Lokawinat, with the highlighted dates taken from the waxing moon. It is easy to check yourself, but it is a starting point. For a date and time tied to the owner's own horoscope, ask an astrologer or a monk your family trusts. The same rule is used in our guide to auspicious days to move into a new house.

Auspicious Days to Collect a Car in December 2026

December 2026 still falls under the same Kalayok as the start of 2027, so the Athibodi days are Saturdays, while Mondays are Thong Chai days that clash with Lokawinat. If you booked a car at Motor Expo 2026 (2–13 December 2026) and your delivery slot lands before New Year, these four Saturdays are the options.

If you can choose, Saturday 12 and Saturday 19 December tick both boxes: an Athibodi day and a waxing moon. Delivery queues tend to be long at the end of the year, so fix the date with your salesperson when you sign the booking.

Auspicious Days to Collect a Car in 2027, Month by Month

The table shows the highlighted days for each month, meaning Thong Chai or Athibodi days on a waxing moon. The right-hand column lists every good day that falls on a weekend, for anyone who would rather collect the car on a day off.

Method: Thong Chai and Athibodi days from the Kalayok calendar, excluding days that clash with Ubat or Lokawinat. Moon phases follow the Thai lunar calendar.

From January to mid-April, only Saturdays pass the rule. The upside is that you do not need a day off work, and most showrooms open on Saturdays anyway.

Auspicious days to collect a car in January 2027

Cars booked at the year-end shows often arrive this month, so showroom delivery queues can be busy. The good days are Saturday 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 January, with Saturday 9 (2nd waxing day) and Saturday 16 (9th waxing day) highlighted.

Auspicious days to collect a car in February 2027

February has four Athibodi Saturdays: 6, 13, 20 and 27 February. For a waxing moon, go for Saturday 13 (7th waxing day) or Saturday 20 (14th waxing day). Every Sunday this month is an Ubat day, so avoid booking a handover then.

Auspicious days to collect a car in March 2027

The early-year chart still applies, so the good days are Saturday 6, 13, 20 and 27 March. The highlights are 13 March (6th waxing day) and 20 March (13th waxing day), and Mondays remain days to avoid.

Auspicious days to collect a car in April 2027

April splits in two. Before Thaloeng Sok the good days are Saturday 3 and Saturday 10 April. From 20:52 on 16 April they switch to Sunday 18 and 25 April and Thursday 22 and 29 April.

The highlights are Saturday 10 (4th waxing day) and Sunday 18 April (12th waxing day). Songkran, 13–15 April, has no good days under this rule, and many showrooms and land transport offices close over the holiday. If you want the car before travelling home for Songkran, Saturday 10 April is the one to book.

Auspicious days to collect a car in May 2027

This is the first full month on the new chart. Thong Chai days fall on Thursday 6, 13, 20 and 27 May, and Athibodi days on Sunday 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 May. The two standout dates are Thursday 6 (1st waxing day) and Thursday 13 (8th waxing day).

Auspicious days to collect a car in June 2027

June's highlights are Thursday 10 (6th waxing day) and Thursday 17 (13th waxing day). The other Thong Chai days are 3 and 24 June, and the Athibodi Sundays are 6, 13, 20 and 27 June, with the 6th and 13th also on a waxing moon.

Auspicious days to collect a car in July 2027

July offers nine good days. Thong Chai falls on Thursday 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 July and Athibodi on Sunday 4, 11, 18 and 25 July. If you can choose, go for Thursday 8 (5th waxing day) or Thursday 15 (12th waxing day).

Auspicious days to collect a car in August 2027

Thursday 12 August is Mother's Day in Thailand, a public holiday, a Thong Chai day and the 10th waxing day all at once, which makes it the most convenient date of the month. The other highlight is Thursday 5 August (3rd waxing day), and the Athibodi Sundays are 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 August.

Auspicious days to collect a car in September 2027

Thong Chai days are Thursday 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 September, and Athibodi days are Sunday 5, 12, 19 and 26 September. The highlights are Thursday 2 (2nd waxing day) and Thursday 9 (9th waxing day). For a weekend on a waxing moon, choose Sunday 5 or 12 September.

Auspicious days to collect a car in October 2027

October suits weekend collections, with five Athibodi Sundays: 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 October. Thong Chai days fall on Thursday 7, 14, 21 and 28 October, and the highlights are 7 October (7th waxing day) and 14 October (14th waxing day).

Auspicious days to collect a car in November 2027

The highlights are Thursday 4 (6th waxing day) and Thursday 11 November (13th waxing day). The other Thong Chai days are 18 and 25 November, and the Athibodi Sundays are 7, 14, 21 and 28 November, of which only Sunday 7 November is on a waxing moon.

Auspicious days to collect a car in December 2027

The year closes with Thong Chai days on Thursday 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 December and Athibodi days on Sunday 5, 12, 19 and 26 December. The highlights are 2 December (4th waxing day) and 9 December (11th waxing day). For a last-minute car before New Year, Thursday 30 December is also a Thong Chai day on a waxing moon.

Auspicious Days by Your Day of Birth: Which Day Should You Choose?

Thai belief gives every birth day its own kalakini, an unlucky day for starting anything important, even if it happens to be a Thong Chai day. It is usually based on the birth day of the car's owner or main driver. The table matches each kalakini day against the good days of 2027.

People born on a Thursday have the hardest time early in the year, because every good day until mid-April is a Saturday. If you cannot wait until after 16 April 2027, ask an astrologer for a finer timing that does not fall on a Saturday. Some schools add one more day to avoid for each birth day, such as Thursday for people born on a Monday, so stricter families may cross off those days as well.

This table deliberately leaves out a "lucky day for your birth day", which some websites list, because the sources disagree. For someone born on a Sunday, one site recommends Wednesday and Friday, while another recommends Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The kalakini days, on the other hand, match across almost every source, so avoiding your kalakini day and choosing from the year's good days is the safer approach. Car colour is covered separately in our guide to lucky car colours by birthday.

If you are a foreigner buying a car with a Thai partner, do not be surprised if the family asks for an auspicious date. This table gives you a quick way to suggest a few that work for everyone.

Which Days Should You Avoid Collecting a Car in 2027?

In calendar terms, the days to avoid in 2027 depend on which Kalayok period you are in.

• From New Year to Thaloeng Sok on 16 April 2027 (20:52), avoid Sundays (Ubat) and Mondays (Lokawinat)
• From Thaloeng Sok to 31 December 2027, avoid Wednesdays (Ubat) and Tuesdays (Lokawinat)

Mondays early in the year cause the most confusion. Some calendars mark them as Thong Chai days, yet the same day is also a Lokawinat day. Some sources still treat them as good days, while others warn against assuming so. This guide takes the safer route and leaves them out; if you need a car in that period, a Saturday works instead.

Two more points depend on how traditional your family is. The first is the waning moon: auspicious events are usually held on a waxing moon, which is why the monthly table highlights waxing days, but a Thong Chai or Athibodi day on a waning moon is still usable if you do not follow that custom. The second is Saturday itself. Some schools see Saturday as a harsh day under the influence of Saturn and advise against collecting a car then, while the Kalayok counts an Athibodi Saturday as a good day. If your family avoids Saturdays, wait until after 16 April 2027 or ask an astrologer for a finer timing.

What Time Should You Drive the Car Away, and Does It Have to Be Exact?

Most people prefer the morning. The time salespeople hear requested most often is 09:09, because the number nine sounds like the Thai word for progress, and it still leaves time to inspect the car and finish the paperwork without rushing. An exact minute tied to the owner's horoscope has to come from an astrologer; the Kalayok only tells you the day.

If the showroom can only hand over in the afternoon, you do not need to change the date. Many buyers inspect the car and sign everything first, then start the engine or drive off at the auspicious time they were given. Tell your salesperson in advance what time you plan to leave so the car is ready at the delivery bay.

Auspicious Day to Collect, Receive or Bless a Car: Are They Different?

Collecting and receiving a car usually mean the same day: the day you take it from the showroom or the previous owner and drive it for the first time. Booking day, finance approval day and contract signing day do not count, so they do not need to be auspicious.

A car blessing is a separate matter. The blessing and the offering to Mae Ya Nang, the guardian spirit of vehicles, can happen on collection day or later on a day that suits you. Many owners collect the car on the auspicious date and take it to a temple for a monk's blessing on a later weekend. For the steps and offerings, see our guide to the Thai car blessing (Mae Ya Nang).

Delivery Missed the Auspicious Day, or It Falls on a Bad Day: What Can You Do?

It happens more often than you might think, especially when delivery queues are long. The most effective step is to give your salesperson the auspicious date on booking day, because finance approval, registration plates and vehicle preparation all take several days. Pick one or two backup dates in the same month as well, so a delay does not leave you without an option.

If the car is ready before the auspicious day, some families collect it and park it without using it until the chosen date. If you have to take the car on a bad day, some people make merit or take the car for a blessing on the nearest good day. These are household customs rather than rules, and none of them is wrong. What really helps is careful driving and keeping the car in good shape.

Buying a Used Car or Motorcycle: Which Day Counts as Collection Day?

Used cars follow the same idea as new ones: the collection day is the day you take the vehicle and drive it for the first time, not the day the registration is transferred. The advantage is that there is no showroom queue, so you can arrange the handover with the seller to match your date. Motorcycles use exactly the same tables.

The registration transfer is a legal step done at a land transport office on a working day, and it does not need an auspicious date. Complete it within 15 days of the sale; fees and documents are covered in our guide to car ownership transfer fees.

What to Check Before Collecting a Car on Your Auspicious Day

You want to drive away on your auspicious day feeling relaxed, not so rushed that you forget to inspect the car. Sort out these points before the chosen time.

Collecting a new car from the showroom

Walk round the car in good light and look for scratches, uneven paint and chips in the glass. Check that the chassis and engine numbers match the documents, test the lights, air conditioning and screen, and make sure the accessories and freebies match your booking form.

You should leave with a receipt or tax invoice, the owner's manual and warranty book, and the insurance policy and compulsory third-party insurance (por ror bor) showing the start date of cover. If you bought on finance, take a copy of the hire-purchase contract too. If the car is still on red plates, you should also receive the plates with their log book for recording each trip. Night driving and cross-province rules are explained in our guide to red plate car rules.

Collecting a used car or motorcycle from the previous owner

Check the original registration book to make sure the name matches the seller and the vehicle is not still under finance. Confirm that the annual road tax and compulsory insurance are up to date, and inspect the car, ideally with a mechanic, before you pay. For accident or flood history, read how to check a used car's history before viewing, and if you have not chosen insurance yet, compare the car insurance types in Thailand.

If you are looking for a used car or motorcycle, Talata brings the listings together in one place, so you can compare models, years and prices, then contact the owner directly to arrange a handover on your chosen date. Check the vehicle and its paperwork carefully before you agree, and get in touch through Talata when you find the right one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I collect a car on a Buddhist holy day?

Yes, you can collect a car on a Buddhist holy day (wan phra). Many people see it as an auspicious day for new beginnings, and it is even better if it is also a Thong Chai or Athibodi day. If it falls on an Ubat, Lokawinat or the owner's kalakini day, choose another date.

Is it good to collect a car on my birthday?

Yes, there is no fixed rule against it, as long as the day is not an Ubat, Lokawinat or kalakini day for the owner. If your 2027 birthday happens to be a Thong Chai or Athibodi day, many people consider it extra lucky. Check it against the monthly table before booking the showroom.

Does the owner have to drive the car away?

By common belief, the owner should be the one who drives the car out of the showroom or drives it first on collection day, because the car is thought to be linked to the owner's fortune. Afterwards, many families like the owner's parents to be the first passengers, for good luck. If the owner is not yet a confident driver, safety comes first and someone experienced can drive it home.

Do I need an auspicious day for a used car?

No, but you can still pick one if it makes the purchase feel right. For a used car, collection day is the day you take it and drive it for the first time, and it is easier to arrange with a private seller than with a showroom. Getting the paperwork and the car's condition right matters more than the date.

Can I use these dates for a motorcycle?

Yes. Auspicious dates do not depend on the type of vehicle, so motorcycles use the same Thong Chai, Athibodi and avoid days as cars.

What time is best to collect a car today?

Without an astrologer's reading, the morning is the most popular choice, especially 09:09. An exact minute has to be calculated from the owner's horoscope; the Kalayok calendar only gives the good days.

Why are the 2027 dates different early and late in the year?

Because the Kalayok changes on Thaloeng Sok, not on New Year's Day. In 2027 it changes on 16 April at 20:52. Before that the good days are Saturdays; after that they are Thursdays and Sundays.

Can I collect a car on a waning moon?

Yes, if the day is a Thong Chai or Athibodi day. Auspicious events are usually held on a waxing moon because it is seen as a time of growth, but that is a preference rather than a rule. If no waxing day suits you, a good day on a waning moon is fine.