Public Service Announcement: The Pregnancy Safety Pin in Thailand
I’ve wanted to write about this topic for a while, and a recent experience on the BTS solidified the need to spread awareness. Just a few days ago, I watched an expectant mother standing on the train while the priority seat remained occupied by a younger individual. The immediate need for courteous seating is exactly why understanding this tradition is so important.
While researching this topic, I came across the detailed findings of mother, Thai Aussie Mom, shared on her Facebook page. To amplify her excellent research, this post draws heavily from her insights on a fascinating Thai tradition: the use of the pregnancy safety pin.
As she notes, even as a Thai individual, this custom was often only learned upon personal pregnancy when friends and family urged adoption. This practice is deeply rooted in both ancient superstition and modern courtesy. Here is a breakdown of what the pin is, why it’s worn, and what it signals to the public.
What is the Thai Pregnancy Pin?
A maternity safety pin is genuinely “a thing” here in Thailand. It’s an ordinary safety pin worn visibly on the expectant mother’s belly. It serves as a clear, non-verbal symbol for the general public, indicating that the wearer is pregnant and deserves courtesy and safety.
Nowadays, these pins are often beautifully designed to be chic, cute, and fashionable, moving beyond the simple utilitarian look.
The Dual Purpose: Beliefs vs. Modern Utility
Is the pin necessary? While the practice is rooted in ancient beliefs, its modern utility as a universal signal makes it highly beneficial for both safety and courtesy in daily life.
1. Ancient Beliefs and Protection
Historically, it was believed that pregnant women were particularly fragile, weak, and needed spiritual protection. The pin is often considered a talisman to protect the mother and unborn child from unseen dangers.
The safety pin is believed to act in two primary ways:
- Preventing Miscarriage/Premature Birth: The pin’s function—to fasten two things together and keep them from falling apart—is symbolically applied to pregnancy, helping to keep the baby from coming out early.
- Protection from the Paranormal: Thai culture is rich in spiritual beliefs (hence the prevalence of spirit houses outside most properties). Many believe that spirits and evil entities specifically prey on pregnant women and may try to harm the unborn child, cause death, or even possess the child’s soul. Wearing the safety pin is thought to help ward off these evil entities. Some mothers enhance this protection by attaching a small amulet to the pin.
2. Modern-Day Practicality and Safety
Putting superstition aside, the safety pin is an incredibly useful communication tool in modern, crowded settings:
- Public Recognition: The pin is instantly recognized by the Thai general public as the universal sign that a woman is pregnant.
- Facilitating Courtesy: This recognition immediately facilitates safety and courtesy. When using public transport (like the BTS or MRT), the pin prompts people to offer up a seat without the need for the mother to ask or struggle.
- Emergency Assistance: In the event that the expectant mother needs emergency assistance, the pin makes her condition immediately obvious to strangers and first responders.
- Avoiding Awkward Mistakes: Let’s face it—it also prevents someone from making the mistake of asking a non-pregnant woman if she’s expecting!
A Call for Awareness
Next time you see a pregnant woman in Thailand wearing a safety pin, recognize that you are seeing more than just a piece of metal. You are seeing a culturally recognized sign asking for courtesy, safety, and respect for the mother and child. Let’s help spread awareness and ensure these expectant mothers get the seats and assistance they need!
Credit & Source: This content is based on the research and original Facebook post by Thai Aussie Mom. You can find her original post at facebook.com/thaiaussiemom.
