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Pictures of the Democracy Monument, Bangkok, Thailand
Pictures of the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand
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LIVING IN THAILAND
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RECOMMENDED WEBSITES
Pantip -- Technology
Stickman (Expat Guide to Thailand)
LAND OF SMILES
ประเทศไทย / thailand
THAILAND IS MORE THAN A COUNTRY, IT IS A SPIRITUAL ESSENCE, AND A QUALITY OF BEING WHICH CAN BE RECOGNIZED, BUT NEVER REALLY CAPTURED. This is the land of 13 smiles, saffron-robed monks, and golden temples galore. Elephants and stupas and pick-up trucks. Energy drinks at 7-11, and pad thai steaming on a wok.
Thailand -- The Land of Smiles
Thailand was the first foreign country I ever visited, and I doubt that I will ever experience culture shock as intense as that again, unless I somehow make it to subSaharan Africa. It began my love affair with Asia, and served the inspiration for many subsequent visits. I have traipsed all the way from the beach resorts to the rice paddies of the Central region, and up to the misty mountains of the North.
It goes without saying that this is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. Some come for the shopping, some come for the girls. What is there not to like? The weather is great, and the costs of life affordable. Bars are open until the wee hours, and Thai food that will blow your scalp off. Whether you are a backpacker or a digital nomad, there is something here for you. Some monasteries and retreats offer free food and board, although donations are always welcome of course! Different nationalities have their own 'hoods, too... Russians like Pattaya, while Swedes and Germans hang out in Phuket.
Cities & Regions
THERE ARE 76 provinces (จ.) in Thailand, scattered across four regions: the North, Central, Isan (East) aand South. There is also one special administrative zone devoted to the capital, Bangkok, which I consider to be one of the most intense, intoxicating (and infuriating) cities in the world. Sure, it may be hot and surly, noisy and polluted -- but prod a little deeper, and you will find an older, more genteel world.
A languid brown river snaking beneath a noontime sun -- that is the real Bangkok. A golden wat shining like a star in the humid darkness -- that is my vision of Bangkok... (For more details on the original city of sin,
)
Chiang Mai (เชียงใหม่) is the capital of the North and serves as the gateway to the once notorious Golden Triangle. You can trek in the jungles meeting tribes of refugees from Myanmar whose women prop up their impossibly long necks with brass coils. Bizarre! .
Language
THAI IS NOT an easy language to learn. It is tonal, which makes it difficult for foreigners to pronounce. On top of that, it uses a strange and complicated alphabet, with no spaces between the words. However, if you put some effort in, there are rewards to be had. While Japanese is heavy with duty, Thai is all about having fun. Like many Asian languages, pronouns and other words change depending on the gender and social status of the speaker.
สวัสดีค่ะ (Sawadii Kah) .......... Hello (spoken by a woman).
ฉัน (Chan) .......... I (for women).
คุณ (Khun) ......... You.
เขา (Khao) .......... He, Him.
เธอ (Ter) .......... She, her.
ฉันไปเชียงใหม่ (Chan Pai Chiang Mai) .......... I go to Chiang Mai (spoken by a woman).
คุณเป็นอย่างไรบ้าง? (Khun Pen Xyangri Bang?) .......... How are you?
กาแฟสด (Kafae Sot) .......... Fresh coffee.
Dari mana asal saudara? .......... Where are you from?
Di mana saudara tinggal? .......... Where do you live?
Baik, terima kasih .......... I'm fine, thank you.
Apa-apa .......... Okay, all right.
Kamu dak apa-apa? .......... Are you okay? (Malaysia)
12 .......... Dua belas.
20 .......... Dua puluh.
21 .......... Dua puluh satu.
30 .......... Tiga puluh.
100 .......... Seratus.
1000 .......... Seribu.
1/2 .......... Setengah.
Monday .......... Hari Senen.
Tuesday .......... Hari Selasa.
Wednesday .......... Hari abu.
Thursday .......... Hari Kamis.
Friday .......... Hari Jum'at.
Saturday .......... Hari Sabtu.
Sunday .......... Hari Minggu.
When? .......... Kapan?
Jam berapa? .......... What time?
Pada jam satu .......... At 1 o'clock.
Hari ini .......... Today.
Besok .......... Tomorrow.
Kemarin .......... Yesterday.
Berapa lama? .......... How long?
Sekarang .......... Now.
Nanti .......... Shortly, soon.
Jam .......... Hour.
Buka 24 Jam .......... Open 24 hours (eg 7-11).
Menit .......... Minute.
Minggu .......... Week.
Bulan .......... Month.
Tahun .......... Year.
Bagus .......... Good (can also use in Indonesia.)
Tak .......... No (Indonesia use "tidak").
Di mana-mana .......... It could be anywhere.
Dia pergi ke mana? .......... Where did he go?
Ini untuk awak .......... This came for you.
Pergi! .......... Go!
Pergilah! .......... Okay, go!
Duduklah! .......... Okay, sit down!
Minumlah! .......... Okay, drink!
Baiklah! .......... It's okay!
Boleh .......... Be allowed (Indonesia also okay.)
Tak boleh .......... No, you are not allowed (eg, to kiss me).
Pergi buka pintu .......... Go open the door.
Tidak ada apa-apa .......... No problem, everything okay.
Saya juga! .......... Me too!
Last update September 2012.
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