Reading Thai I.d. Cards

[cali4995]

I was having a little joke with the girl at reception about the rather

large number of ladymen everywhere (Thai name katuhy) that seem

to prey on foreigners who had a few too many beers and lost the

ability to tell the difference. She selflessly volunteered that she can

always tell by looking at their I.D. card. I guess just like we have Mr.

or Miss or Mrs. the Thais have a similar prefix in front of their names.

นาย naai = Mr

นาง nang = Mrs

นางสาว nangsao = Miss

(If memory serves this is correct Thai spelling)

The newer style Thai I.D. cards with the electronic chip have English and

Thai but the older ones don't. I'm sure this is old news for the guru's

but i thought it was quite an interesting explanation.

[mangkorn]

I was having a little joke with the girl at reception about the rather

large number of ladymen everywhere (Thai name katuhy) that seem

to prey on foreigners who had a few too many beers and lost the

ability to tell the difference. She selflessly volunteered that she can

always tell by looking at their I.D. card. I guess just like we have Mr.

or Miss or Mrs. the Thais have a similar prefix in front of their names.

นาย naai = Mr

นาง nang = Mrs

นางสาว nangsao = Miss

(If memory serves this is correct Thai spelling)

The newer style Thai I.D. cards with the electronic chip have English and

Thai but the older ones don't. I'm sure this is old news for the guru's

but i thought it was quite an interesting explanation.

Interesting general info.

But, who asks anybody else to show their I.D. card?

Anyway, if ya can't tell a kateuy from his voice alone, then ya gotta be really drunk, and probably deserve whatever may happen to ya...

Kateuy is a word originally meaning a fruit without seed, or with undeveloped seeds. It makes sense that it would be adapted to that social reality. Actually, most kateuys do have seed (I'm guessing) but aren't likely to sow it any place where it may bear fruit...

Cheers.

[cali4995]

heck, i ask. if nothing else i like to see if they're being truthful about their age. it's generally interesting to see if i can read the amphur and province they're from. i'm still not yet sure if that nang / nangsao is a definitive indicator they were married previously? me and the friend-girl took a stroll down walking street late the other night and there were an awful lot of ladymen grabbing onto falangs, like you say, if your that drunk maybe you deserve what you get but engaging in a transaction based on deception is a little wrong. (i'm not sure quite how to word that)

Edited May 12, 2007 by cali4995

[Richard W]

i'm still not yet sure if that nang / nangsao is a definitive indicator they were married previously?

It's a pretty good ever/never indicator. Of course, it is no use as an indicator of whether a lady is divorced or still married.

[Johpa]

Anyway, if ya can't tell a kateuy from his voice alone, then ya gotta be really drunk, and probably deserve whatever may happen to ya...

Kateuy is a word originally meaning a fruit without seed, or with undeveloped seeds. It makes sense that it would be adapted to that social reality. Actually, most kateuys do have seed (I'm guessing) but aren't likely to sow it any place where it may bear fruit...

Cheers.

Caution, I was declared persona non grata by some members of Thaivisa who took affront by my usage of the term katoey as the term is now perceived in some quarters as a term of offense. Mind you, some 20 years ago, and I know I am dating myself here, it was used rather neutrally, even by those of alternative sexual persuasions than myself. And I still know fellow middle aged curmudgeons who use it neutrally, but some younger folks, well ya got to tread lightly as they can't always imagine that not everyone participates, or is even aware of specific semantic changes, and they take no prisoners.