NaiGreg

The Rosetta Stone [home study edition] is an amazing learning experience. I am currently on my second go-around with the Thai I version (11 in-depth lessons). I have been studying [with many books, tapes, CD's) on and off for 4 years. I can't imagine what I would do without the 'Stone'. It is Thai-only, absolutely NO english, written or spoken. But, truthfully, it is expensive and it will only get you half way there. Immersion in the home and office (and a good dictionary) is the only road to fluency!

Good Luck na

Many good posts here (and some half-baked )

I like to advise inquiring (about buddhism) minds this:

If you want to know about creation, read the Steve Hawking's book "The Universe in a Nutshell"

If you want to know about practical philosophy, read "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau.

If you want to know *everything*, walk the path to Enlightment for about 500 lifetimes. A good dharma book has instructions.

It is all about the path. Your milage may vary.

Peace.

As a [non-Thai] buddhist, I submit to our thaivisa community - this may not be an appropriate place for a forum on Thai Buddhism (too many cranky people), but the *path* to Enlightenment can start here or anywhere, at any age. You *can* have fun (not a sin) along the path!

Chok-dee-na

Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: it transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural & spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity"

---- Albert Einstein

4 years this month.

Bliss without the ignorance, as it seems someone [here] has a monopoly on that already.

Delightful look-sao is 10 weeks old. Makes a great marriage even better!

'watdee!

What is your funniest falangism? I am compiling those that are both humorous and instructive.

Here's one of mine (true story) to start it off ...

I return home to greet my lovely Thai wife who has just finished cooking dinner:

Wife: "paw gin-khao-na" (paw, come and eat)

Husband (wrong tone): "taut-rong-taow-gawn" (I'll fry my shoes first)

[taut can mean "remove" or "fry" depending on tone]

We laugh long time.

Please contribute to this list. Those of us learning to speak Thai mangle the language all the time. If your GF/wife giggles when you say it, it might be worth sharing.

If I ever publish these (I hope to in a year or two) I'll make sure all contributors get credits and a copy!

Chok-dee-na!

NaiGreg

I, too, was amazed when I first saw the astounding price difference at the zoo in Chiangmai. Clearly, there was only one thing to do. I thanked my lucky stars that my wife could get such a deep discount at a subsidized attraction. The only alternative would be to mai pen rai. I choose to not feel cheated at the zoo or parks.

Good luck with the new web site: Raan-kai-kong, raan-ahaan should *not* be double-pricing! Has anyone experienced double pricing at a hospital?