AjarnP

I know this must be asked a million times or more times, but can someone help me get a Thai translate for a potential tattoo. I want to get the words "established" and "born", with the numbers “1978” and “1983”. I know the Thai's use the English numeric numbers these days, but does anyone know what the numbers 1983 and 1978 look like in Thai?

Cheers heaps,

1978 = ๑๙๗๘

1983 = ๑๙๘๓

I'm guessing you just need the numerals or did you want the translations too?

AjarnP

After close to twenty-five years of driving around this maddening metropolis I am now car-less and couldn't be happier.

No more waiting in unending lines of traffic.

No more ptrol/gasolinen bills.

No more probs with the BIB.

No more probs finding a non-existent car-parking spot.

No more worries about having another tipple before I drive (wobbling) home.

No more arguments with my insurance company.

No more arguments with the mechanic at the dealer's garage.

No more trying to see the GD thing when I'm fed-up with it.

Even my cardiologist is happier!!!

Don't, unless you are living in the depths of "Nakorn Nowhere" even thnk about buying a car.

Yours , a happy BTS traveller,

AjarnP

I am planning to drive on a Sunday from Bangkok to CR

Thinking of going north on route 9 then up north but which route numbers/cities would be best to reach CR ?

Is it possible in a day or does it need an overnight ?

Going from CR to Sisaket on a Wednesday

Thinking of : CR Phayao.Ngao, P-look, Khon Kaen, Sisaket

Possible in a day without overnight ?

Thanks

Two basic routes from BKK to CR.

First around 860 Km. North on Viphawadi Rangsit then bracnh slightly left following signs to Ayuthaya. (route 31?) as far as Nakornsawan then on route 1 through Kampangpetch, Tak, Lampang then Ngao, Phayoa and you're there. Great roads except there has been some ugly patching just after Thoen and teh road is very bumpy there. I do this route in around 8/half hours if there's no traffic. Scenery not much to look at and roads wuite straight and boring (having done it too many times)

Second: same route to Nakornsawan but branch off to Pit'lok follow signs to Uttaradit, Denchai, Phrae, then Ngao and Phayao. Good scenery and intersting. The stretch between Denchai and Ngao is a pain as it is mostly single carriage-way and if you get stuck behind a convoy of trucks it is all but impossible to pass. This route is also shorter by about 45 km.

From CR to Sisaket.

Just south of Denchai you will see an esso station on the left, just before a set of traffic lights. The signs pointing left is to Chatakarn and Nakorn Thai. Take it for a great trip thorugh the national park. It gets you out on H'way 12 near the town of Lomsak. From there follow down through CHaiyapum etc as far as the freindship hi-way. ALternatively, from Lomsak go all the way into KonKaen then down to Korat (Nakornratchasima) both teh same but different LOL.

Travel safe. Be especially wary of yoru speed in Kampangpetch if you take that route. The BIB are pretty strict there

AjarnP

Hi AjarnP,

I just did the drive as recommended via Tak and Lampang. Left at 7:30am arrived easily after a 9 hours drive at 4:30pm. This was with several stops for ga and food on the highway. All is dual carriageway except for a very few patches of single lanes due to repair and a few bumpy patches.

It is worth taking the Kampangpetch bypass as it saves quite a bid of city drive.

Thanks for the tip and yes it is very doable in a day

AFter a few days in CR I'll be heading for Sisaket

You're most welcome and pleased that you enjoyed the trip so far.

I forgot to mention before that I doubt very much if you can make Sisaket in a day from CR. I would stop ta somewhere like Khon Khaen where there are plenty of good and/or cheap places to stay. I usually use the KOSA by the way.

Safe miles and big smiles,

AjarnP

I am making a guess here. I found the word "สมุดไทย" in the Matichon dictionary and subsequently in the RID. Here is the entry from the RID:

สมุดไทย น. สมุดที่ทําด้วยกระดาษข่อยแผ่นยาว ๆ หน้าแคบ พับทาง ขวางทบกลับไปกลับมาคล้ายผ้าจีบ เป็นสมุดเล่มสี่เหลี่ยม ผืนผ้า มีทั้งชนิดกระดาษขาวและกระดาษดํา

saL mootL thaiM, a noun meaning a book made from a long, narrow strip of paper made from the "khoi" shrub. The paper is lded back and forth like Chinese cloth to become a rectangular volume. Some are made of white paper, others are made of black paper.

My guess is that ancient Thai books were not like European books made of leather, the "หนัง" in "หนังสือ" but where these folded volumes. Therefore, ancient libraries filled with these compiled volumes were called ห้องสมุด, not ห้องหนังสือ. [The earliest libraries in the Middle East consisted of cuniform tablets; in Alexandria the libraries were composed of scrolls.]

Can anyone confirm or have another opinion?

David,

very much so. Have you seen the monks when reading the original Pali text of the 'scriptures' it is written on a wood-like substance not that far from papyrus and folded back and forth.

I often used to wonder why we refer to books and especially knives as LEM เล่ม until i realized that in old sword foundaries swords and knives were made by 'folding' the metal over and over again to attain a maximum number of layers and hardness thus creating the lem, as in the book. I believe the same applies to candles too as they are (or used to be) made up of several layers of wax.

Just idling, fun anyway

AjarnP

Starting July 1st I want to learn to speak thai. I have 6 months to do this -- obv. I won't be fluent, but I want to dedicate 6 months to this.......I mean spending 4-5 hours/day learning thai. I am from the usa -- could I use my english as a "trade" to learn thai? I speak zero thai fwiw. How would you go about this? I will not have a busy job (professional online poker player) for these 6 months and will be residing in Bangkok so I can dedicate alot of time to this.

Thanks for your time,

Tony

Isn't gambling considered illegal in Thailand?

IMO the OP will have the greatest of difficulty plying his "trade" as you are correct gambling, on or off line is strictly a no no. I actually tried to download one of the well know on-line games to allow me an occasional tipple but the BIB logo came up with a warning.

Good luck though

AjarnP

Out at the airport?

Building something in the car park by the look of it.

I hear tell they are just extending the car park and adding some sun shades

AjarnP

The use of classifiers is one of the most interesting parts of the Thai language. Apparently, however, the use of classifiers is not a unique feature of Thai. Kumchai Thonglaw in his "Principles of the Thai Language" notes, "ในภาษาจีนซึ่งเป็นภาษาคำโดดเช่นเดียวกับภาษาไทยก็มีลักษณนามใช้เช่นเดียวกัน" ("Chinese, which is a [mono]syllabic language like Thai, also uses classifiers.")

Thai bookstores carry several books to help Thai students and interested readers understand the correct classifiers to use with various nouns. The one I have is a slim 25 baht volume named, "การใช้คำลักษณนามและคำราชาศัพท์" ("The Use of Classifiers and Royal Words") by Dr. Yinglak Ngamdee, first printing 2542 (1999). (BTW, the author's first name is spelled "ยิ่งลักษณ์" which might be interpreted as "more classifiers"; one wonders whether this is a penname or whether "her name is her fortune") The book is in dictionary format and seems to be aimed a elementary school students.

Some classifiers are necessary both in English and in Thai. For example, "thread" can be either a "skein" (for a single length) or a "spool" for thread wound on a spool. Dr. Yinglak's book shows four possible classifiers for "ด้าย" ("thread"): เส้น (a "line"), กลุ่ม (a "group"), เข็ด (a "skein", from Domnern Sathienpong), ไจ ("skein of yarn/thread; hank" from Lexitron), หลอด ("tube" Lexitron shows "spool [N] ; แกนม้วนสาย (เช่น หลอดด้าย . . .) "a form for winding string (for example, a spool of thread . . .)" ). Before looking this up, I only knew two of these.

The classifier for ไข่ "egg", according to Dr. Yinglak, are ฟอง ลูก; Lexitron shows "ฟอง, ใบ, ลูก" as the classifiers. The Royal Institute dictionary shows, "ลักษณนามเรียก ฟอง ลูก หรือ ใบ". In regular conversation, I very rarely hear the word ฟอง being used. I would like to hear whether others in this forum do hear ฟอง used on a regular basis. Are different classifiers used for eggs purchased in a package in a supermarket and cooked eggs ordered for breakfast, for example?

Finally, I hear the word หน่วย (Lexitron "[CLAS] unit") used very often here in Phuket as the universal or default classifier, like "อัน". According to the RID the word means "หน่วย [หฺน่วย] น. ตัวเลขหลังสุดของเลขจํานวนเต็มที่เรียงกันเรียกว่า เลขหลัก หน่วย เช่น ๑๔๓ เลข ๓ เป็นเลขหลักหน่วย; จํานวนหรือหมู่ที่นับเป็น หนึ่ง" ("the last digit in a multi-digit number is called the base number or หน่วย (unit), for example, in the number 143, the digit 3 is the base digit; an amount or group which is counted as one item.") However, I do not see the formal definition include its use as a classifier. Does anyone else hear the word used in common parliance? Thank you, tod-daniels and others, for raising this interesting area of Thai language.

Hi David, long time no read your very informative posts.

I was recently quite taken aback on the subject of classifiers myself. For thirty years I have been calling elephants by the classifier ตัว i.e. ช้างสามตัว. In my home just a coupleof months ago it was corrected to ช้างสามเชือก.

I am wondering though if this is just a lanna-ism or the general classifier is correct throughout the land.

It would be good for a thread if all were to post some unusal ones for us all to learn including the colloquial versions too.

AjarnP

can anyone tell me what this says

ไ อ มินลฟ อน ย

thanks

I'm in love on you, reading it as transliterated English to Thai.

I bet you helped to crack the enigma code too huh. Absolutely great thinking!!!

AjarnP

I've driven my Vigo across the border at Nong Khai and never had a mention of the need for an English Reg plate.

I wonder where this missive came from???

AjarnP

My condolences to friends, family and colleagues.

I've been here more or less since the great flood but have never heard of a branch of "Good Samaritans" or other such organization to help when others are depressed or ???

Does anyone know of such an organization? Of course some of these are organized through churches or other religius organizations and the like. I'd suggest that an organization of willing helpers just prepared to listen and offer a friendly word may in order but it would need to be non-denominational.

I would happily have my number published under any scheme that could offer help.

Anyone else?

AjarnP

I am planning to drive on a Sunday from Bangkok to CR

Thinking of going north on route 9 then up north but which route numbers/cities would be best to reach CR ?

Is it possible in a day or does it need an overnight ?

Going from CR to Sisaket on a Wednesday

Thinking of : CR Phayao.Ngao, P-look, Khon Kaen, Sisaket

Possible in a day without overnight ?

Thanks

Two basic routes from BKK to CR.

First around 860 Km. North on Viphawadi Rangsit then bracnh slightly left following signs to Ayuthaya. (route 31?) as far as Nakornsawan then on route 1 through Kampangpetch, Tak, Lampang then Ngao, Phayoa and you're there. Great roads except there has been some ugly patching just after Thoen and teh road is very bumpy there. I do this route in around 8/half hours if there's no traffic. Scenery not much to look at and roads wuite straight and boring (having done it too many times)

Second: same route to Nakornsawan but branch off to Pit'lok follow signs to Uttaradit, Denchai, Phrae, then Ngao and Phayao. Good scenery and intersting. The stretch between Denchai and Ngao is a pain as it is mostly single carriage-way and if you get stuck behind a convoy of trucks it is all but impossible to pass. This route is also shorter by about 45 km.

From CR to Sisaket.

Just south of Denchai you will see an esso station on the left, just before a set of traffic lights. The signs pointing left is to Chatakarn and Nakorn Thai. Take it for a great trip thorugh the national park. It gets you out on H'way 12 near the town of Lomsak. From there follow down through CHaiyapum etc as far as the freindship hi-way. ALternatively, from Lomsak go all the way into KonKaen then down to Korat (Nakornratchasima) both teh same but different LOL.

Travel safe. Be especially wary of yoru speed in Kampangpetch if you take that route. The BIB are pretty strict there

AjarnP

Heheh you are an ajarn, teach it to your kids at school.

Have to say i totally agree, worse are those that carry the massive backpacks and do not realise they are swiping ppl when they turn.

abso-perzackerly!!!

Is it only me, or is there anyone else sick and tired of being side-swiped by inconsiderate carriers (or is it wearers?) of large back packs.

Does no-one realize that approximately double the floor area is taken up compared to the other more considerate passengers who remove their back packs and leave them at their feet when riding in the BTS or MRT trains? They have absolutely no regard for anyone when they turn around!!! GGggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

AjarnP

Best to keep a low profile and not advertise and play around with your metal quietly and I'm sure no one will bother you and going into the city hall would be opening a can of worms.

I am a gardener and grow vegetables and the wife sometimes sells the excess, but I'm not going in to see the officials.

Please don't tell on me and I won't tell on you......

Hi every1,

Need someone's assistance here. I'm trying to find a spot to rent a motorcycle in Bangkok. ANyone know of any shop/individual renting bikes?

Before you comment, yes I know I can get one on Pattaya or Phuket or Chiang Mai and even Nakorn Nowhere, but I need one in Bangkok. And yes I knwo I'm crazy to be thinking of it and how dangerous you're all goiing to tell me that it is and all that.

Thanks for all the help

Cheers,

Safe Miles and Big Smiles

AjarnP

There are many stores/small shops in the Worachak area providing what you need.

AjarnP

IMO the first thing that needs to happen here is a reduction in the number of cars and other vehilces using the road 'system' (note the '*').

Two options exist:

The authorities could smack a really high road tax for vehicles entering Bangkok proper on a regular basis. This could be achieved with (yet another) colour code for registration plates and numbers. No-one is going to leave their favourite status symbol at home in the car=port they need to be seen in it and be driving it. I would slam a 100K tax on all vehicles to dissuade entry in favour the public transport options. Companies wouldn't mind as it would just be an expense to be written off against the annual corporate tax returns. Taxis of course should be exempt.

Another option which is already working well in Hong Kong (so i've heard) is to discourage building owners from providing too many car parking spaces in their edifices thus almost forcing the building's populace to leave the car at home and take the bus/tube/walk/MRT/BTS. In Bangkok the mandatory requirement for providing car parking spaces in new buildings is way, awy too high but without it one cannot obtain the planning approval necessary to build the thing in the first place. Cutting down would not only force more to leave the car at home, it would also lessen the effect we are having on the already sensitive environment, improve the economy and make buildings more efficient, cheaper and better (not to mention my blood pressure).

Just opining you understand

AjarnP

Hi,

I live in Saraphi, T.Nong Fak, Kuadang. About 6 km from superhighway. The community is all thais,( except for me for several km)They burn all their trash and there is no trash pick-up here.

Does anyone know of a place i can take my trash to dump off(legally) paying them of course.

We have asked some collectors that do the housing tracts but none are near enough for them to come to us. And they did not seem to want to tell us where to take ours.

It is no wonder they have the smog problem as they have no choice.

I do not (and will not) start burning.

Thanks for any help

Chorizo

There is a fairly standard incinerator used in all the outlying areas. You shoudl be able to get teh plans from the local district office. Basically it consists of concrete pipe 'rings' lined with red clay bricks with a couple of steel racks to keep the junk above teh draft. I built mine for around 5,000 Baht including materials and labour and it burns everything to a fine dust like ash which goes back into the garden. Bottles glass or plastic get bought up by the local 'rag & bone' man. The local Village Headman will also have the manpower to do it all for you if you wish.

Cheers

AjarnP

Does anyone know someone who is experienced in UK Family Law and based in or around Bangkok?

My sister in law (who is Thai) is facing a messy problem with her husband (who is from England) and needs to find someone to discuss options.

She would ideally prefer someone who can speak Thai or has a Thai speaking colleague to help with the more difficult concepts, but can communicate effectively in English with a little effort.

I don't want to get into the details in this post, but if anyone knows someone who fits the above description, I would appreciate it if you could pass along their contact information.

Thank you for the assistance.

Greg,

Look at your PM

Hi All,

I am moving to Bangkok this summer. I am looking for a 1-bedroom apartment that's easily accessible (5 mins by foot or motorbike) to the BTS. Due to the location of my place of work, I'll need to be between On Nut and Thong Lor. I'd really like to know about the relative merits of the following areas:

On Nut

Phra Kanong

Ekkamai

Thong lor

I want to live in an area that's near great restaurants and pubs, if possible. It seems that the apartments get smaller and more expensive as you get further into town (obviously). What can I expect with a budget of around 30,000 baht/month for a 1-bedroom place in each of the above areas? I want a place that's secure and somewhat classy, although this seems to be at the low end for serviced apartments according to Thaiapartment.com.

I'd appreciate any advice you might have:)

Thanks!

Generally speaking I have found that the north side (odd numbered sois) of Sukhumvit Road is slightly more expensive than the south side (even numbered sois) I am currently rneting in Soi 38 which is a three minute walk to Thonglor BST station. Thereis plenty of street food at teh entrance to the Soi but for more upscale dining there is a plethora of pubs and restaurants in Thonglor almost immediatly opposite the entrannce to Soi 38. Soi 33 is not far away for a more exciting evening and then there is EMporium and Villa Supermarket together with Bulls Head and Robin Hood only one BTS stop away.

Mine is a 50 sq. m. apartment. rents for this size are around 25-30K largely depending on what level/quality of furnishings there are. Most buildings offer security too with guards and locked/passkey doors. Most offer a car-parking bay per apartment too.

Welcome to LOS

Was out yesterday on the road to Chachoengsao and noticed a place out there that looked promising. I didn't register its name but it was around 30Km plus from the Minburi junction of Suwintawongse Road heading towards Chachoengsao.

Woof woof

Thanks. We live in Minburi so this place may be what we're looking for. Heading toward Chachoengsao was it on the left or right. Any particular landmarks to look for?

Sorry, didn't take in that much detail except that it was on the left (outbound) and was certainly past President Golf Course and the industrial Estate just past it, also on the left. If I am not mistaken it had something like "Doggie Park" or "Pet Park" on the sign. It was set back around 50 Metres from the road edge too so keep a close eye out for it.

I'd be interested in how you get on too. I have two Old English Mastiffs at over 70Kg. each. I long for somewhere to board them for a weekend so I can get away. The locals near home are absolutely terrified of being eaten alive so no hope there even with all the 'incentives' I can run to

AjarnP

Was out yesterday on the road to Chachoengsao and noticed a place out there that looked promising. I didn't register its name but it was around 30Km plus from the Minburi junction of Suwintawongse Road heading towards Chachoengsao.

Woof woof

About 06h30 this morning, a car stopped in front of our house, and stole our water meter.

Monday sucks !

Buy a plastic replacement. They are less likely to be stolen for the scrap brass value

Happy days

AjarnP

Many Thanks to everyone for the information.

my friend I, do you know if there are standard taxis on Chiang Rai airport!

Thanks

There's a taxi counter in the terminal (left of the exit doors). There are also some touts hanging around but can't vouch for their service

Bn voyage

Hi everyone,

We're off to Thailand early April for a 9 day trip and would like to know if you think it's easy enough for two Aussies to drive around Thailand a little when we've never been there before?

We plan to fly into Phuket and drive up the coast, staying at Ko Lanta for a time (it looks lovely) as we're more of the kind of people to look for the beautiful quieter spots than go for the tourists meccas.

The half-plan is to drive up the coast and then spend a day in Bangkok before going home from there. Is it reasonable to expect to drive around Bangkok or is that pure madness on my part?? If we want to go visit Chaing Rai and Chiang Mai should we fly? How long does it take to fly?

I've been looking around the forum and it's been great to get a lot of local perspective ... thanks

Kim

Hi Taralotus,

By all means rent a car and drive yourself. It's a great way to see the country and the REAL Thailand away from the main city (alright 'town') centres. Usually your driver will want to take you to any place where he can get a kickback and delay your journey for an age with all the "You go look, only ten minutes, I wait you here"

Country driving is nowadays much easier than it used to be, I'be been driving both cars and big bikes here for twenty-five years and (no I wont say it..... there's no wood handy to touch!!!)

Chiang Rai is either 860 or 818 Km from BKK city centre depending on the route. The longer of the two is now dual carriageway all the way and it really is a great drive. I did it last Friday on my Bike and it only took me 9 hours. Having said that though there are now at least four flights per day that take a maximum of 1 hour 20 mins and fairly cheap at around THB 1750 - 2500 one way. Rental cars are easily found and will cost no more than THb 1500 per day with insurance and a driver will cost you around 300 - 500 per day. There are soem good road atlases around in the bookshops so its very hard to get lost particularly if someone shows you how to read the old-fashioned milestones along the roads. Chiang Mai by the way is less far and it can be done in 7 hours comfortably (OK I have a lead foot)

If you end up in Chiang Rai drop a PM.

Bon voyage

AjarnP