AjarnP

Hi guys, I'm hoping that some of you resident Ajarns can help me out here. I know this forum is geared towards those learning Thai, but what about those who are Thai, and wanting to learn English.

I have just spoken to the wife, who informs me of her recent purchase of some English learning books. Her English is fine, but she needs to scrub up on her grammar. She's also hoping to pass on these books to her son as well, but after speaking to her, I was appalled to hear some of the phrases she was repeating back to me.

Can anyone recommend some good learning material that I might be able to purchase via the net and pass on to her, so that she can learn the Queens English as it should be spoken.... and I don’t mean in a cockney accent.

Thanks

Guemlum

Sorry but after the last sentence I'm out!!!!!!!

But seriously, the very best is the Linguaphone sets from UK (used to be in Regents Street).Also though I watch an Aussie television programme taht shows a commercial that may be worth a look. Look for teachertom on google.

cheers, Ajarn P

anyone know a good used bookstore in chiang rai t osell books?

Orn's Will do a swap depending on condition. Recently donated a bunch to BaanChivitMai near the Bus station for sale to help the charity. You might consider doing the same

Merry Xmas

If you drink too much, it's your business.

If you want to stop, it ours.

Does anyone have ny suggestions as the best way to translate this?

Cheers

N N

Try this:

ถ้าจะดืมมากเกินไป เป็นเรืองคุณ

ถ้าจะเลิก (ดืม) เป็นเรืองเรา

Not sure why you would need it though, sounds like a sign behind the bar???

Bottoms up AjarnP

Anybody know a good local boat builder to build an 18' dory style boat?. I have the plans. He needs to be expereinced with "stitch and glue" style construction and glass fibre application. Hope somebody out there can help. Thanks

Rae,

I shall watch your post with utmost interest. Have you managed to find proper marine grade plywood required for the build?

If so I'd love to know where.

Good luck with the builder though

Cheers

AjarnP

How would you say "Have you always lived here?" (always = always until now - in the past that is)

"คุณอยู่ที่นี่มาโดยตลอดเลยหรือครับ/คะ"

This may be technically correct and should be understood, but sounds stuffy and unnatural.

NAAN DTA(l)-LAWT(l) would be more correct than DOAI DTA(l)-LAWT(l)

I have to agree with DTANG(f)-DTAE(l) GERT(l) which sounds more natural and would be less likely to cause confusion.

luckyfarang, i have to disagree. virin's suggestion is natural, common spoken Thai. and NAAN DTA(l)-LAWT(l) sounds very strange. nothing personal.

all the best.

Well then, we disagree.

It's not just the DOAI DTA-LAWT that sounds unnatural to me, it is the whole phrase:

YOO TEE(f) NEE(f) MAA DOAI DTA(l)-LAWT(l) LOEI

Also sounds quite unnatural and doesn't quite 'flow' off the tongue.

For the OP question I would use Dtalawt wela ti pan ma ตลอดเวลาที่ผ่านมา which I believe would be teh most colloquial of the options.

Happy days

AjarnP

The bus trip from LP to Vientiane is really special if you have the time.

Not really off topic (I don't think) Has anyone tried the overland from Huai Xai (Sai) to LP?

I keep hearing that the "new" road is being pushed through from inland Laos but can't find any news on progress.

Anyone heard anything?

Thanks chaps

AjarnP

I'm not sure if I can mention this but here goes..Try Tony Leather on Surawongse Tony himself stays at teh one nearest to Rama IV, he's been making my and my wife's shoes for twenty years and no complaints yet. They are well made and hand made so don't expect to pay mall prices they simply are not of the same quality

ajarnP

How far along Suriwongse from RIV? Left or right side?

About a good sand wedge 100 yds? right hand side. If you were coming through Thanya to Surawongse and look 45 deg left you will see it there. Anyone will tell you if you ask....it's been there since Noah was a boy.

AjarnP

And, more to the point, where he got them made ? I am not interested in paying farang prices, at some place that doesn't even consider it necessary to put up a Thai-language sign.

I'm not sure if I can mention this but here goes..Try Tony Leather on Surawongse Tony himself stays at teh one nearest to Rama IV, he's been making my and my wife's shoes for twenty years and no complaints yet. They are well made and hand made so don't expect to pay mall prices they simply are not of the same quality

ajarnP

A friend was asking if ther eis any special way of bringing in the new year in CR.

I said nothing aprt from the usual hotel rip-offs and a loud noise in the night market.

Over to you chaps. You know anything happening anywhere particularly local flavour woudl be good.

How interesting that you raise this question! Turns out that the usage of the word "แขก" to mean "customer" has been included as a secondary definition within the new Royal Institute "Dictionary of New Words." Here is what the dictionary says:

"แขก . . . ๒. ลูกค้าที่มาใช้บริการในร้นเสริมสวย ร้านอาหาร สถานบันเทิง โรงแรมเป็นต้น . . . "

"Kaek . . . definition 2. A customer who comes to obtain services in a beauty parlor, restaurant, place of entertainment, [or] hotel, for example . . . "

So, from being a "Southerism" perhaps, the word has not become a recognized Central terms. BTW, the etymological reference in the New Words Dictionary says that the word comes from the Chinese word, "แขะ". The dictionary does not mention (and I have never seen the RID doing so) is identify whether the Chinese origin is Taejiew or Hokkien. If the former, then the origin tends to be Central; if the latter, than the origin is likely Southern. Perhaps some of our linguists can tell us if this presumption is generally accurate.

Thanks.

Definitely used througout the country from my experience. Actually some might even say its more polite than ลูกค้า too

Also nothing derogatory as far as I can tell

AjarnP

This afternoon she got angry with the little daughter rocked her so hard she fell out the rocker banging her head : I took my little angel outside to control her, I had to raise my voice at the wife and yak yak her: So I have this to deal with as well, threats to kill the baby twice and showing a knife to me and the daughter: I thought I only dealt with this crap as a Copper.

Sorry for the way you and now your daughter are being treated.

Based on your last paragraph, it is essential that you immediately go to the local police station and file a report of this threatening behaviour. You should ask the duty officer to give you an attested copy of the report in the day-book. This may be needed in the future if the situation becomes any worse and (heaven forbid) if the threats become actions.

It will stand you in good stead with the courts if you need to go through divorce proceedings too.

Put To Put To Put To

AjarnP

Hi! Everyone,

I'm new here...I'm from Hong Kong & I planned to go for a trip in Bangkok next month. I am a pens collector & would like to visit some pens shops in Bangkok selling vintage or 2nd hand fountain pens by the big brands like PARKER, SHEAFFER, WATERMAN, PILOT....Does anybody knows where around these shops are, any details or any suggestions? Thanks soooo much for your help!! Have a nice day!

azap

There are numerous stalls/shops in Chatuchak Market selling antiques/object D'Art largely they only open on Saturdays and Sundays but there are a few exceptions.

Happy shopping

I want to find an tarpaulin/gazebo manufactuerer in Pattaya/Bangkok or even near Chaiyaphum/Korat for I am thinking of buying some fire retardent tarpaulin here in U.K. then getting the seaming/cutting fitting done in Thailand. I reckon it would save me £500 labour cost's.

Most large (largish) provincial capitals have at least one 'tent maker' who will happily stitch your fabric (for a fee) if required.

There are several in Bangkok the largest is probably adjacent to the Ramindra Expressway between Naramin and Ramindra roads

Goodl uck

AjarnP

Just a thought...

Would it be good to hold a meet up of all the contributors to the Thai Language forum? Where we could openly discuss the language and its day to day use.

I don't propose to make it too frequent just say bi-monthly a small social gathering in one of the popular watering holes perhaps?

Any and all ideas gratefully received

AjarnP

The initial sentence as it is in English could suggest other things. For example, it could mean, "Have you always lived here (in this apartment) since you moved to Bangkok?" In which case I feel the structure ตั้งแต่ dtâng dtàe might suffice.

Even if you do take it to mean since birth I feel ตั้งแต่เกิด dtâng dtàe gèrt could also be used.

Have to agree wholeheartedly with withnail on this one. In fact it can be turned into a joke if said/asked improperly. e.g. Yuu Nan mai? (have you been here long? or how long have you been here?) if not followed by tii nii or a specific place it can be construed as actually asking how long have you been alive. Jokingly if asked in this fashion I always answer ตั้งแต่เกิด dtâng dtàe gèrt. If asked properly of course and when I'm feeling less facetious I will probably answer accurately.

AjarnP

Ok.. What I`m after is a meter that can measure AC up to 1000V, DC same, resistance and current. Preferably with a clampmeter attached to measure current 400A minimum. Basically a meter for an electrician. Digital of course.

Chang,

Going from Superhiway to Bus station and between the junction to farmers market and bus station exit there is a shop called ERAWAN has all the electrical bits I've ever needed. Shop's not much to look at but it's an 'Aladin's Cave' of goodies when you go in.

If no luck PM me and I'll get you one in BKK, I'm here until Thursday evening

Cheers

I've been searching the last few weeks for a wall mount to hang tv on the wall in my kitchen. I've seen these in dozens of restaurants in Thailand and they usually have them in hospitals as well. But when I ask the restaurants where they bought it all I get is a "don't know na".

Anybody seen these in any local shops? Thanks

I've seen them in the homepro store Rangsit branch, I don't go to any of the others so don't know if this is s general stock item or just specific to that store/branch

Make sure you fix it well onto a solid wall. otherwise your telly may end up in the sink!!!

AjarnP

Hi All

I know this is probably somewhere but I have not found it.

I am learning the alphabet & understand the theory is like A is for Apple etc. Like we did with english as children.

But now I see Gaw is for Gai etc. Fine but what about the ones that seem to use the same sound? Like Chaw-Ching & Chaw Chang & even Chaw-Ga Cher?

Sorry I do not have the knowledge to type the letters

Anyway I am working with a book & find this to be odd. They cannot sound the same right? Or?

Thanks for any info

Hi Flying,

No, all the "Chaw"s do not sound the same as they fall into different classes of consonant. I'm sure your book will give you the class of each and thus the tone rules that apply. I could detail it here but it will be better for you to find it out from your book that way it will 'stick' better... It does for me anyway

happy learning

AjarnP

My persian's litter (1 month old now) isn't doing well. 2 males are managing, though weakened and under assault of infections from their 2 sick sisters - 2 other siblings have already died.

I've been taking them to the animal clinic (1st traffic light right, north from the mengrai statue). Various injections, medications for a week now - but things going from bad to worse. So I want to take the two sick females somewhere else an leave them there for the vet to try to save them - keeping them with me and the mother is 1) distressing the mother, and 2) pulling down the immune defenses of the male siblings.

PLEASE someone give me a suggestion (and simple directions, as I'm new to CR) of a vet for this evening.

Failing which, I have found on an earlier thread 1) a place supposedly 200 metres from bigC, and 2) Ratchabhat Univ - but I don't know where it, or its clinic, is. If these aren't open in the evening, I'll just have to return to the 24hr animal clinic I've been using - since one of the kittens won't survive til the morning.

Opposite the entrance to the Wiang Inn hotel is the government vetinary.

Best Vet in town is Dr. Anont,

He's on Sungkhongluang Road after the temple.

OK from Phaholyothin Road heading south from Night Market, last lights turn right, go through next lights and travel on round two bends about 700M Vet Clinic Large Blue cooloured shopfront is there. Its open 24/7

Hoep they make it

อรหันต์ [or-rá-hăn] [N] Buddhist saint (Notice the final "n", not "t" as in the original list; maybe I have the incorrect word.)

HI David,

อรหันต์ 'Arrahan' is perfectly correct you have the right word.

This once again covers the point of the Garan which I raised a few weeks ago. To my mind it is most important when transliterating to OMIT the silent letters created by the addition of the garan symbol.

Sorry, just an opinion,

AjarnP

Snapped this while driving the ring road around Roi Et. I'm curious where they are going and what they plan to do with the payload. I was actually forbidden to take this photo, but I insisted I wouldn't show it to anyone Thai.

Plenty of Thais r on Thaivisa - easy for them to see this, whatever it is.

Look more like pelvis bones to me (cattle or kwai I guess)

Sun 28 Oct 07, 10:32 a.m.

Hi all,

I live in Khon Kaen and have checked many bicycle and motorbike shops over the past couple of years, and none of them carry U-Locks. I asked the shop where I bought my new bicycle to order one from Bangers, but they tell me no gotti anywhere in Bangkok.

Can that possibly be true? It drives me crazy fumbling and futzing trying to thread a curly cable through the bike spokes and around the frame!

Anyone know of a bike shop in Bangers (or anywhere) that carries them, particularly one that would be willing to EMS one to me here in KKC?

Thanks for your help!

Aloha,

Rex

Late response but whatever.........

Was in PADDOCK on ratchadaphisek road yesterday and saw some in there.

take exit 4 from Huay Kwang MRT station and its in front of you

cheers

วัวสันหลังหวะ

(lit. a cow with a wounded back)

meaning: a person who has done something wrong and is anxious/paranoid about being found out

i must say, i don't quite grasp the logic of the second idiom - anyone able to help?

all the best.

From the book "บ่อเกิดสำนวนไทย" page 78 comes a double animal metaphor:

___________

วัวสันหลังขาด [หวะ] เห็นกาบินผาดก็ตกใจ

หมายความว่า "คนที่มีความผิดติดตัวทำให้มีความหวาดระแวง"

" . . . วัวที่มีแผลอยู่ที่หลังหรืออยู่กลางหลังนั้นเอง เมื่อวัวมีแผลอยู่ที่หลังเห็นกาบินผ่านก็สะดุ้งระแวงไปว่ากาจะมาจิกกินตรงแผลนั้น เมื่อเป็นสำนวนใช้ในความหมายถึงคนที่มีพิรุธอะไรซ่อนไว้ในใจ มันมีอาการหวาดระแวงไปต่างๆ นานา"

____________

My translation:

As worried as an ox with an open wound on its back when it sees a crow fly by.

This metaphor refers to "a person who has committed an error and is tortured [by the thought that he might be discovered.]"

". . . an ox which has suffered a wound to its back or where the wound is right in the middle of its back. When that ox sees a crow swooping around it trembles with fright, worried that the crow might pick at that wound [and tear its flesh]. When uses as an idiom, the phrase refers to a person who has done something wrong and the fear of discovery is buried deeply in his heart. This person suffers many different kinds of torture."

Seems like a great rural metaphor to me; we would say, "as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs".

thanks david...the crow completes the picture nicely!

all the best.

Excellent responses by everyone. Thank you all for your input.

AjarnP

I need to arrange a bit of a culture tour that would include one night in budhist temple and living the live of monk / nun.

This can cost, that is not a problem, but time is limited so it should be easely reached from BKK... flight + bus etc...

please any ideas.. ?!

Wat Ratcha-Orot, in Bang Khae district used to run live-ins.

The Abbot is a personal friend but I have mislaid his phone number. I will PM it when my wife manages to locate it.

Its on the side of a Khlong and has accommodation for visiting students

Number to follow;

I assume that the visitors will be aware of the rules and regulations and are not doing this for "kicks" but rather for the buddhist experience

Cheers

AjarnP

OOPS! Moderator, I meant for this to be in the CM Forum. Don't know how it landed in the Chiangrai forum. Can someone help fix this? Thanks.

Can I request this to be a rather technical discussion? Not sure if this is against any rule?

Moderator: would you consider pinning this topic?

I am thinking something like reinforcing the building structures, such as bracing, and securing things.

More technical discussion may follow if we get the moderator to OK this to be the same. I especially love to hear from someone with a civil/structural engineering background who has done something.

My distinct impression from looking at buildings in CM/Chiangrai and compared to those in California; I felt the structural members seen in Thai bldgs are skinnier. I am quite certain most of the bldgs. in the country up to this point are not reinforced for the lateral forces from the EQ.

I am thinking that the past 30 years there were hardly any. Then we keep getting more of them, until we now had a 5+ EQ nearby. Be that there are a couple EQ centers in CM, it seems logical to think that what happens the last few years maybe foreshocks, leading to a larger one. Besides, the ones in CM has not really relieved of built-up stresses through much quaking at all. That doesn''t mean the area is safer.

I believe the gov. is going to revise the EQ risk in the country, and CM's projection will be revised to be larger than a 5+. So say if there is a 6+ or 7+. Does anyone feel ready for it?

Hi Stateman,

I think we may have crossed on my request for lyrics last week. Thanks for your help on that too.

This matter has been discussed some time ago when the forum in general was discussing the costs of construction in Thailand in general. I designed my house specifically to be earthquake resistant. It is a whoel process and not one that lends itself to retro-fitting. In fact, IMO it would be easier (and cheaper?) to knock something not designed adequately down and start again. The process starts with the foundations. There are many I can hear already boo-hooing the necessity and maybe they're right. Having been in the industry for the last 30+ years I wanted it done right from the beginning and am happy in my security.

My estimate of additional costs would be something like 50% of the structural works with the majority of that being taken up by a qualified professional engineer to design it in the first place.

COnstruction Codes under the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority's Building Regulations now call for all buildings to be earthquake resistant. (I use 'resistant' as I don't believe there os a 'proof') It is only a matter of time before the outlying provinces adopt the same principles. This of course rather depends on whether or not one bothers oneself with the formalities of seeking approval for one's construction in the first place I guess. Sooner or later we will be hit by a big one and it will do even more damage when it comes.

Anyone requiring shelter is welcome the following day

Cheers, good topic

AjarnP