jaithai

Actually, this has nothing to do with Immigration at Phuket airport. This involves the Thai embassies and consulates OUTSIDE OF THAILAND.

I can highly recommend Khroo Jee in Bangkok. Not only is her English excellent, she tries not to speak it unnecessarily, helping you to learn more quickly; however, she is able to explain WHY certain things occur in the Thai language making it easier for an English speaker to put it into context.

You can find her on ThaiVisa by searching members for: khroojee

or email her at [email protected]

Good luck with your studies.

Just go up to the Immigration desk as you would do normally.

And they put on great shows in the evening!

Tawandang is one of my MUST DO things in Bangkok.

The orliang we serve in our restaurant lists the following ingredients:

Roasted Coffee Bean, Soybean, Brown Rice, Caramel

Downloaded fine for me. At first I saw the "gray screen" but I also saw a "file loading" bar" behind it. It took several minutes to download (even at DSL speeds) because the file is large. When it finished I could open in Acrobat with no problem.

On my last trip to Bangkok I dropped in to Walen and sat in on a lesson. Even though I was a bit ahead of the students in the class, I was very impressed by the teaching method. Having studied by book, computer program, podcast, internet, as well as one-on-one tutoring in Thailand, I think I'm in a good position to judge. I've looked at various schools and when I return to Bangkok for a time to study, Walen will be my choice.

One trick I use when travelling is to scan my passport and email the scan to myself (using a web-based account). That way I can download and print a copy from anywhere in the world with and internet connection.

Keep in mind that the 30 days includes the day you arrive and get stamped. It is important to check the date on the stamp before walking away from Immigration. They CAN make the occaisonal mistake.

My experience with Bangkok police is this:

While wandering about on lower Sukumvit, near Ploenchit, a motorcycle cop calls me aside and starts questioning me about who I was, what was I doing there, etc.

I thought, "Oh no, a shakedown in progress." When he asked me what I did and I responded that I sold electronics (in my very limited Thai), he asked if I had been to Panthip Plaza.

I told him I hadn't. He indicated for me to get on his motorcycle. I thought, "<deleted>?", but got on the cycle.

Off we went to Panthip where he proudly showed me this amazing collection of electronic sales venues.

Since then, Aut and I have been friends. We've gone out for beers together, I've taken him and his family to dinner and I've been invited to their apartment.

Strange and Wonderous. Not your typical BKK police story.

I see no racial slur.

From Wikipedia:

Schmuck (pejorative), an insulting term for a stupid person or dimwitted fool or an unwanted guest

From American Heritage Dictionary:

NOUN: Slang A clumsy or stupid person; an oaf.

ETYMOLOGY: Yiddish shmok, penis, fool

I think it's something like:

อย่าทำเป็นเชยชากับฉัน Don't ignore me

-----------------------------------

I think เชยชา has more the meaning of "to snub" -- a little stronger than "ignore"

W. C. Fields had lots to say about drinking, but this one was:

Frank Sinatra

Even more amazing (to me) was that my Thai girlfriend, who has only been speaking and reading English for a few years had no problem reading this.

The "Kaw", "Gaw", "Taw" etc are names of the letters based on the consonant sound that each letter contributes. Since the Thai alphabet has multiple letters that contribute the same consonant sounds a method must be used to distinguish the letters from each other. Thus the name is coupled with a word that uses the letter (usually to start the word).

Therefore, ก ("gaw") becomes "gaw gai" the "gaw" letter that starts the word "chicken" (gai). ข becomes "kaw kai" which distinguishes it from the other hard k sound-producing letters such as ค "kaw kwai" or ฅ "kaw khon".

It's kind of like if the English alphabet had two letters named "dee". How would you know if someone was refering to D or the the other letter named "dee"?

I had my brokerage wire $8,500.00 (US) to my Thai bank account. Because of a typo, $85,000.00 was sent. Although they tried to recall the money, it was no go. Impossible to get it back even though it was a bank to bank error.

I second that idea. It would be greatly appreciated.

Last September I traveled by bus from the northern bus station near Mo Chit to Pattaya for 121 baht (2 hours). It was a pleasant, comfortable ride. Watch out for the taxi touts at the bus station. Of course I did pay another 50 baht to get from the Pattaya bus station to my hotel by taxi.

Although I don't have them often, my last hangover was a corker. I was in Bangkok and my tilac went out to find jok for me. It sorted things like nothing else could.

I had no problem opening an account at SCB subbranch on Silom. I was dressed smartly and presented a referal letter from my bank manager at home in the US. It stated "to whom it may concern, etc", said that I had been a steady customer for umpty years with a good balance. The manager hadn't actually signed the letter, which the SCB manager mentioned, but opened the account with no problem.

I think I've used them all. Courage didn't impress me. Rosetta Stone gets high marks. For the beginner, Benjawan Poomsan Becker's "Thai for Beginners" computer program is excellent, especially to teach recognizing different tones, different meanings. The "Speak Like a Thai" series is good, but is only useful in a setting with a CD player and the book in front of you, don't try to use it in a mobile situation, such as while driving. Still, I was able to impress my แฟน (girlfriend) when I've come out with a few of the phrases in this series. It helps a lot if you can read Thai so as to get the tones right.

Bravo, palm. You've said it!

Vitamin B

Specifically, Vitamin B-6 (niacin)

I think 'sabai dee mai?' is used as a polite form of inquiry -- like the English 'How are you?' You don't expect more than a cursory response, such as 'Fine.'

'sabai dee reu?' is used when you sincerely want to know what is happening with the person. Be prepared to hear details regarding health, etc.

Thanks, aanon & meadish. That makes it much clearer.