Thewayup

I'd recommend Burmese for Beginners by Gene Mesher. It's in the same series as Benjawan Poonsam Becker's "Thai for Beginners", and it has a similar format, teaching you the Burmese script gradually.

I tried looking for a Burmese school in Bangkok a few months ago but I didn't find anything. I'm now studying with a friend's Burmese housekeeper at home, if you ask around I'm sure you can find a Burmese lady who can speak English and is happy to teach you.

There's also a Burmese restaurant called Mary's Kitchen on Sukhumvit 71 (between Soi 15 and 17 I think) that's run by a Burmese Christian lady and her family. She's very friendly and speaks good English and fluent Thai - I'm sure she'd be able to recommend a good teacher for you.

Sorry, i can not help with the translation into thai.

But....

Do you think it is a dogma to say that 1 and 1 add up to 2, and all other answers are wrong?

And skepticism.... that definition seems to fit better to nihilism.

I truly hope that your thai friend finds a way to explain / translate these expressions in thai.

Thanks for the input, I think the three descriptions apply in trying to define "normative" concepts (such as "democracy", "politics" "power") rather than "descriptive" concepts like "1" "2" "table" or "white". I maybe should have provided a clearer context in the OP.

So while it's not dogmatic to say "1 + 1 = 2" or "all bachelors are unmarried" it is dogmatic to say that "the main criteria of democracy is the right of citizens to vote" when there are other criteria (like equal opportunities for citizens to attain political leadership).

Likewise I agree it's nihilistic to say that one man's "1" can be another man's "2" or "3", but with something like "democracy" it's skeptical to say that the different criteria (equal rights to vote, equal participation in political life, equal rights to political power) are equally valid.

The skeptic / dogmatic in me would suggest that your thai friend should wait several reincarnations before trying to explain 19th century farang words here in thailand.

Agreed! I'm not sure what her university tutor was thinking, giving her a very abstruse English article and expecting a presentation in Thai the following week. In any case I think we'll just work with the simplest and clearest definitions we can, and illustrate them with lots of examples.

Hi,

I've been struggling to define the three terms "dogmatism","skepticism" and "eclecticism" for a Thai friend with an slight essay crisis.

It's an essay about how disputes arise about the meaning of political terms such as "politics" "democracy" and "political freedom" (a tricky enough topic in English, let alone in Thai!).

I've suggested we start by looking at the different conceptual approaches which can be used to establish meaning, hence "dogmatism, skepticism and eclecticism".

So, as follows, the English word, a description (by political science scholar E.Garver) and an attempted Thai translation:

1. Dogmatism - “My answer is right and all others are wrong” - การคิดว่าความเห็นของตนเองถูกต้อง
2. <a name="T2E4577286">Skepticism - “All answers are equally true (or false); everyone has a right to his own truth” - ความกังขาคติเชิงความหมาย
3. Eclecticism - “Each meaning gives a partial view so the more meanings the better” การสรรหาความหมายจากแหล่งต่างๆ

I'd really appreciate if anyone can offer better translations / suggestions / constructive criticism - especially as I'm not an expert in political theory or Thai language by any means!

Blue rice is made by dying white rice with the "butterfly pea" flower (Clitoria ternatea - "dok anchan" in Thai, "Bunga telang" in Malay). It's popular in the Malay dish "nasi kerabu".

You can also buy yellow rice (dyed with turmeric) and green rice (dyed with the pandan leaf ).

Ys, Coon is also here in Australia. I remember once on a TV show they had an Aboriginal man complaining and asking how would we feel if there was a cheese called Whitey......

I also remember the Darkie toothpaste, shame they changed it!

It can go both ways... Edam isn't a terribly polite word in Thai.

Trung Nguyen is one of the major exporters of Vietnamese coffee, it's a popular brand for Overseas Vietnamese and I'm sure it is the taste you are looking for .

Trung Nguyen coffee is available at many stores in Bangkok and they even have a Thai website at http://www.trungnguyen-th.com/ with all the info you need. Enjoy!

Thanks for all the nice contributions.

I have tried the google map but when I press in it's like none of them are recognized and the suggestions that google come with i have no idea where is compared with my original destination.

I am very keen on running in Lumpinee Park but what would be the easiest/cheapest/fastest ( Yeah, I know go run but...) way to get there from Ramkamhaeng Road. Taxi all the way? Taxi to the metrobus/subway (-which station?)? or bus nr? and then metrobus/subway?

Thanks again!

It depends how far along Ramkhamhaeng Rd you are - if you are near the canal it may be quickest to take the canal ferry to Chitlom and then taxi/walk to Lumpini Park.... that's if you really want to travel all the way across town to go for a run!

Seri Thai Park is much more accessible from the higher Ramkhamhaeng Sois... very nice, quiet and fresh air. More details Here .

To put it in prospective 300baht a day is the normal wage of a Thai. my wife worked in a computer factory ,6300baht a Month.

Thats a good paying job but I expect very hard work.

Former gf,

hotel receptionist, 150bht a day (good English)

Hotel cleaners 100bht a day (no English)

[...]

Most of the people posting on here seem to have no idea about Thai incomes and business costs, I guess their gf/wife lies and pockets the extra cash, too many white buffalo in Thailand. Any normal Thai telling me they get 10k+ a month and I assume they are most likely a sex worker (unless they show pay slip or are clearly Teachers, etc.).

Those salaries are unbelievable low unless your former GFs were teenagers or Burmese immigrant workers. Nearly all hotel receptionists are paid 7K - 20K basic salary (potentially + tips + commissions + periodic bonuses), and it doesn't make much difference what class of hotel it is - at budget hotels there is a lower staff : guest ratio so the fewer staff can be paid almost as much as 3* and 4* hotels (and sometimes more, with longer shifts and more responsibilities per staff member).

Hi Everyone - apologies for bumping this tread to the top, but I couldn't find a better place to post.

My Thai partner and I (Brit) are planning on going to HCMC later this year to cement our relationship.

Have any of you done this recently?

I am looking for any helpful comments and pointers to pitfalls that I should look out for.

Where does one obtain the "certificate of no impediment" that the Thai partner needs to present at HCMC?

Does one need to make an appointment at the British Consulate General in HCMC or just turn up at the door?

Is a letter from a hotel proof enough of the 7 day residence requirement?

Is it possible to purchase the services of the 2 witnesses in HCMC or should we plan on taking family members?

The link towards the top of this thread, which I understand is extremely useful, no longer points to the article.

Any pointers to where the article can now be found?

Many thanks.

Hi, many congratulations to you and your BF. My Thai partner and I are also getting our civil partnership in HCMC next April (just booked free flights with Air Asia so it's official!).

The certificate of no impediment is obtained at your BF's local district office (ที่ว่าการอำเภอ) - it's very easy to obtain as they will print you a copy while you wait and there is no charge. I think it is best to get a dated copy less than a month before you go to Vietnam.

I emailed the consulate in HCMC and they suggested just letting them know informally when we plan to be there. The 7 days' residence is valid from the ninth day as the day you arrive and the day you apply don't count. Hotels and guesthouses will register you with the local police each night so hotel receipts should be fine as evidence. You must stay in the South of the country (south of Da Nang officially) if you are registering with the HCMC consulate, but you don't have to stay in Ho Chi Minh City if you would rather spend a week at the beach.

As for witnesses, the consulate will provide two for a nominal fee or you can bring your own friends (no fee) - whichever you prefer.

You need to apply for a visa in advance (either at a consulate or via an online service) to enter Vietnam, but your Thai partner can freely enter Vietnam for up to 30 days visa-free. There should be no problems with you both going through Vietnamese immigration, but it's best to dress very conservatively - if either you or your partner are men who prefer to wear ladies' clothes and make-up it is a good idea not to do so going through Vietnamese immigration!

Hhmmm, thanks for the tip. what dishes do you recommend?

KIN LOM CHOM SAPHAN is an outdoor, riverfront seafood/traditional Thai restaurant close to the RAMA 8 BRIDGE.

The food is quite decent and the prices more reasonable than many other similar places.The view of the river with brightly lit dinner cruise boats passing by along with the striking Rama 8 bridge towering above makes for a great setting.

They usually have a live combo and singer, sometimes recorded music; better not to sit too close to the speakers.

Very crowded on weekends. If you go by taxi, make sure your driver knows where it is. Though it has a big neon sign, it is down a small soi that is tricky to find.

Hi, this restaurant is one of my favourites too, it's at the end of Samsen Soi 3.

The soft-shell crab fried with curry powder is delicious, and you don't have to make a mess eating it like regular crab Not sure if it is on the main menu, but the Thai word for soft-shell crab is Bpoo Nim. Also recommend the som tam with crispy catfish (pla dook foo).

funny thread.... Pad Krapow is a staple thai food with some very imaginative versions.

here are some of the less known some are very good.

ผัดกระเพราเครื่องในไก่ (w/chicken internal organs)

ผัดกระเพราหมูกรอบ (w/crispy pork)

ผัดกระเพราเป็ดย่าง (w/roasted duck)

ผัดกะเพรากุ้งสับ (w/ minced shrimps)

ปลาดุกฟูผัดกระเพรา (w/ pla dok foo )

ผัดกระเพราเห็ด (w/ mushroom )

ผัดกระเพราปลาหมึกยัดไส้ (w/ stuffed squid)

ผัดกะเพราฟองเต้าหู้ (w/ fong tao hoo. tofu paper)

ผัดกระเพราไข่เยี่ยวม้า (w/ 1000 years eggs)

ข้าวผัดกระเพรา (w/ fried rice version)

You must add to your list - ผัดกระเพรากุนเชียง - pad grapow with Chinese sausage (gun chiang)! A quite delicious combination invented by the wife in a rare moment of inspiration

IMO a good dash of oyster sauce is an important ingredient (lots of fresh chili and garlic too!).

If she doesn't correct their tones, she is providing a disservice.

As for native speakers breaking the rules: Many rules have exceptions. "ม๊ากมาก instead of มากๆ" is such an exception; in fact pronouncing it มากมาก would be wrong. But of course they do break rules, like every native speaker does with his language. That is true for English grammar too. You can break every rule if you know how. Doesn't make it easier for foreigners trying to learn the language, though.

Have you (question open to all!) recognized any patterns behind how native Thai speakers "break the rules" when it comes to tones?

I grew up with extensive musical training so I have found it easier than most foreigners trying to distinguish the tones in Thai, but if anything it makes me hypersensitive to when native speakers use unexpected tones .

One thing I have noticed Thai speakers do is "displacing" the falling tone from one syllable to the next, especially in fast conversation. For instance I've heard the word for fifty - ห้าสิบ pronounced ห่าสิ้บ .

Another example (long winded, but all I can think of right now!) - the bus from Bangkok to the South stops at a cafe and bakery shop in Petchaburi. On this route, we always pick up some of the local dessert as presents for the in-laws and friends.... It's called ขนมหม้อแกง but usually pronounced ขนมหม่อแก้ง by the native Thai speakers.

So hypothesis time... is it normal for Thai speakers to "displace" a falling tone if it is the penultimate syllable of a phrase or multi-syllabic word?

Are there any other rules or patterns for when the spoken tone differs from the written tone rules? Depending on regional variations and the level of the spoken language etc...

Hi, Thai2English.com (I think you're referring to this website) would romanise เฮิรตซ์ as hêrt under their system.

Technically speaking, it is not a transliteration (as the site claims) but a broad phonetic transcription - it's based on the spoken language rather than the written structure. But maybe it is a transliteration in layman's terms!

Have a look at Baan Saladaeng, which is a small boutique hotel opened by two gay European guys. The rooms are often fully booked a few weeks in advance, so it's best to book early.

It sounds like an academically rigorous study From what I see the lady interviewed 20 Thai brides and 16 mothers in law (all from the Khon Kaen area I'm guessing... not exactly a fair representation of Thailand's social demographics!)... she then draws her own conclusion.

I probably wouldn't dispute the conclusion though!

In Hanoi (at least) Vietnamese citizens are not allowed into foreigners hotel rooms. But conversely, a non Vietnamese gay couple can get a double bed in a hotel without comment. There is a recent update on Vietnam (north & south) at this page:

http://www.thailandscene.com/seasia/vietnam.shtml

As far as i know this law applies only to woman coming back to your room unless your married.

Nope

It applies to Viet/non Viet couples irrelevant of the nature of their relationship as well as their genders

I lived in Vietnam from 2002 to 2003 and also have been back many times since. There was never a problem staying at any hotels with a Vietnamese male...the Vietnamese don't seem to have a problem with it, and One bed is the norm. This includes Hanoi, also never had a problem in HCMC, Phan Tiet, Vung Tau, Nahtrang, Hoi An, Danang, Hue, Sapa, and one of my favorite places Dalat. We usually checked in together and were always treated with respect.

My experience is the same - absolutely no problems during my visits in 2008 checking in to any Vietnamese hotels with a Vietnamese male (Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Mui Ne, HCMC... so nowhere too off the beaten path, but I think it will not be a problem elsewhere except for perhaps a few surprised expressions from staff).

In fact, the only time my current BF (Thai) and I ever had any altercations with hotel staff on our extensive Asian travels were in Western ghettos in Thailand (Patong Beach in Phuket and Khao San rd in Bangkok). Go figure!

Thanks for the replies... good to know it is so straight-forward!

Hi, I'm traveling to Vietnam with a Thai friend.

I know that Thais can enter Vietnam free of charge, for 30 days.

But does he need to get permission from a Viet embassy in advance? Does he need to give passport photos, or provide evidence of a return flight, hotel bookings or proof of adequate funding in cash?

Or will they just stamp his passport on arrival, no questions asked?

Thanks in advance!

Air Asia is running a promotion on a new morning flight to Nakhorn Sri Thammarat at the moment - tickets from 490 Baht all-inclusive (travel dates 3rd December - 30th April).

It's a surprisingly quick and affordable way to get to Koh Samui - it's about 2 hours on the bus (direct to Don Sak Pier) and 90 minutes on the ferry after you land.

We travel frequently between Bangkok and Samui and this is one of the better options - especially now that it's dirt-cheap!

I have my sister/brother in law and niece coming over to visit me for New Year and we are heading to Koh Samui for 5 nights.

I am looking for a villa which is on the beach with a nice sea view 2 bed or bigger preferably a hotel type for security/breakfast etc. I remember seeing one which was really nice and modern and on two floors with its own private pool but cannot remember the name of it now!

Does anyone have any recommendations? We dont want to be too far from Chaweng as we'd like to go out at nights. We were also thinking about 2 nights one place and 3 the other. Anyways any recommendations would be great.

Thanks

Have a look on ............ I have rented villas and condos with them before. They have a range of modern villas from about 20,000 - 50,000 baht a week.

Ouch that's expensive. If you ask the question on the Samui forum you might get more response.

It will be busy so best book as early as possible.

It's good value for a short term rental - did you misread my post Smokie? It's 20K a week, not per day! And 25K for a 3 bed Villa.

OP you can PM me for more details if you are looking - I forgot I can't post links here (sorry moderators!)

A little tip: The Long Island Iced Teas at DJ Station are good value for money if you intend to get drunk - especially if you are friendly with the bartender, they can be very strong!

Don't try to smuggle alcohol in... it's unlikely you will be thrown out but you will be gossiped about mercilessly if caught.

There are lots of ways you can save money on your holiday. If you're staying in Bangkok for more than a couple of weeks, you can stay at a cheap serviced apartment for around 6000-8000 baht a month. There are quite a few in the Silom/Sathorn area - PM me if you want some links or contact details.

I have my sister/brother in law and niece coming over to visit me for New Year and we are heading to Koh Samui for 5 nights.

I am looking for a villa which is on the beach with a nice sea view 2 bed or bigger preferably a hotel type for security/breakfast etc. I remember seeing one which was really nice and modern and on two floors with its own private pool but cannot remember the name of it now!

Does anyone have any recommendations? We dont want to be too far from Chaweng as we'd like to go out at nights. We were also thinking about 2 nights one place and 3 the other. Anyways any recommendations would be great.

Thanks

Have a look on PM poster for URL. I have rented villas and condos with them before. They have a range of modern villas from about 20,000 - 50,000 baht a week.

Question for in country Adjans..please

Although I have given help with info in the past to Thai friends with kids studying in the UK...Millfield to name one school...I have never dealt with actuals.

Wifes mate has 2 kids who want to study 'Fishing Management" (family own all the factorys) at a UK Uni but does anyone know what they need qualifications wise from Thailand to get them into a course?...

Officially they should get a Statement of Comparability from NARIC which would tell them what their Thai education is equivalent to in the UK.

Not all UK universities will enforce this, the best option is contacting the admissions department directly.

I would guess overall, classifying yourself as intermediate/beginner/advanced seems to be different from one person to the next.

Thanks for the links above they seem pretty decent. There is also some good material on youtube particularly for learning to write.

If you are looking for good (free) Thai reading material, there are thousands of articles on th.wikipedia.org , mostly interesting, well-written and good reading practice. I can spend hours on Thai Wikipedia, but maybe that is just me!

Yes, you are right, I am still at preliminary stage in getting familiar to Thai Characters and the rules in word formation. I still have tremendous difficulties in reading, understanding and making sense to their local newspaper HEADLINES. And when watching Thai MTV, I will never be able to follow the verses. I had tried to look on my shampoo and shower cream bottles and trying to make sense to those words (not sentences). And you shall also know that there is another Thailand Font Set (where you can see a S or a reflected C), till now I still trying hard to remember those Font. For years you know S, and now you need to treat S to be R, I have to admit I cannot react fast enough. I have to stare a word for awhile and have to verify it pronunication via a Thai-English dictionary. I have to say I have put in considerable effort in reading Thai characters.

I found the different writing styles frustrating when I was first learning Thai too - I spent a long time learning the alphabet, and I still couldn't read signs on the street or in the food courts because of the font style. There are quite a few different styles (they have cute fonts to make Thai characters look like Chinese, Burmese, Japanese, Korean characters too).

There are hundreds of Thai signs Here to help you practice : )