[r7rGOhvd]

How much do Thai ppl care about the significance of a 21st Birthday?

I just want to go back to the original question -- the 21st Birthday. No it is not more significant than any other year.

In my family, (I think we're normal Thai family anyway ut other might do differently), every year, if possible, we µÑ¡ºÒµÃ in the morning.
(see translation here http://www.thai2english.com/dictionary/15334.html).

Then we go on doing out thing as it was normal day - e.g. go to school, work, etc.

When I was kid, I made a card (drawing on a piece paper) on my mom or my dad's Birthday.

In the evening, if convenience, we have dinner together, invite other people in the family. (and tell them do not have to bring any present, we do not expect any). I think it is just an excuse to have party, seeing other member of family and have nice food

When I was kid I did recieve some Birthday present from adult (pajamas, few 100 Bt tuck in a box of Biscuit, etc.) and have a cake to blow and they all singing happy birthday. Obviously, adult birthday such as my dad's has no cake and no present, just food and happiness of having family all round.

But then again that kind of 'getting together' can happen in any other occasion; not limited to Birthday so Birthday is not the main point.

some of the year, I told mom not to have 'getting together' for my Birthday since I will be out with my friends, but they still did it without me That's why I said it is not because it is my Birthday but it is just because it is about time they have 'getting together' again.

That is in family point of view.

Then as a friends point of view. I always give my Thai friends birthday card and presents, and I always receive from them (point out that I did not go to international school; it is all Thai school, and I don't think we all want to be like westerner; please don't generalise) but many of times we (a group of friends) share money so there will be one card sign by everybody and one good piece of present. It have been done like this from late Primary to University. We might have lunch or dinner together but friends won't come to my family 'get-together'

However, I notice this is a girly thing though. I hardly seen guys doing this. Maybe just pat in the back and said happy Birthday (na woi).

It will never be wrong to just give a person a little card and gift on her Birthday, I am sure she will appreciate it; may be you can explain to her why 21st Birthday is so important in your culture.