If I want to write a casual request note, should I prefix it with '(Dai) Proht' (ได้)โปรด or 'Khor kwahm garoona' ขอความกรูฌา ? I guess one is more formal or sycophantic. Thanks.

it would depend on what you were requesting. โปรด is more formal, you often see this word on signs asking you not to smoke etc. กรุณา is used more in speech, asking you kindly to do something.

i hope this is of some help.

If I want to write a casual request note, should I prefix it with '(Dai) Proht' (ได้)โปรด or 'Khor kwahm garoona' ขอความกรูฌา ? I guess one is more formal or sycophantic. Thanks.

ขอความกรูฌา: I've never seen that one before.

I think you better post the full request and specify who will be reading it.

Some examples that don't include any of your two choices above:

คอบคุณที่ไม่สูบบุรี: Thank you for not smoking.

เขตปลอดบุรี: No smoking zone.

ห้ามจอดรถซ้อนคัน: No double-parking allowed.

ผู้ใช้ห้องท่านสุดท้าย กรุณาล็อกประตูด้วย: Please lock the door at the end of the day (creative translation)

This one includes both of your choices above:

กรุณาอย่าเหยี่ยบบนโถส้วม และโปรดรักษาความสะอาดก่อนออกจากห้องน้ำ: Please don't step on the toilet seat and ensure the toilet is clean before leaving.

Edited April 2, 200818 yr by Edward B

Both โปรด and กรุณา are formal, and most likely not suitable if it's a "casual" note. I'll second Edward that knowing what you're requesting and of whom would help us help you make the best choice, if you care to reveal that information.

โปรด and กรุณา are indeed formal, and is not likely to be used in informal communication.

ได้โปรด and ขอความกรุณา are more of a pleading nature, as in "Please, sir..."

ได้โปรด evokes a mental picture of a tear-stricken heroine "waiing" and praying to the gods that some dear wish comes true. (I think I've been watching too many ละคร )

ขอความกรุณา could be used to either ask for a favor (albeit in a rather humble manner), or used as part of a polite general communication (eg. a sign in the bathroom asking people to dispose of tissues in the trash bin rather than flushing them down the toilet)

P.S. pls note the correct spelling, as the original post had a few typos

Edited April 2, 200818 yr by siamesekitty

Some examples that don't include any of your two choices above:

คอบคุณที่ไม่สูบบุรี: Thank you for not smoking.

เขตปลอดบุรี: No smoking zone.

ห้ามจอดรถซ้อนคัน: No double-parking allowed.

Those examples aren't requests, though. They are imperatives (commands).

Some examples that don't include any of your two choices above:

คอบคุณที่ไม่สูบบุรี: Thank you for not smoking.

เขตปลอดบุรี: No smoking zone.

ห้ามจอดรถซ้อนคัน: No double-parking allowed.

Those examples aren't requests, though. They are imperatives (commands).

Yeah, but how many Thais actually follow "request" signs?

In fact, I would also add "ผู้ฝ่าฝ้นจะถูกปรับ 1000 บาท" or "ผู้ฝ่าฝ้นจะถูกล็อกล้อ" to the end of my "imperative", just for good measure.

Some examples that don't include any of your two choices above:

คอบคุณที่ไม่สูบบุรี: Thank you for not smoking.

เขตปลอดบุรี: No smoking zone.

ห้ามจอดรถซ้อนคัน: No double-parking allowed.

Those examples aren't requests, though. They are imperatives (commands).

Yeah, but how many Thais actually follow "request" signs?

In fact, I would also add "ผู้ฝ่าฝ้นจะถูกปรับ 1000 บาท" or "ผู้ฝ่าฝ้นจะถูกล็อกล้อ" to the end of my "imperative", just for good measure.

What is ฝ่าฝ้น ?

My use of 'please' was just on a note to the room maid to do something. I guess that โปรด is apposite, or even the more-casual ขอช่วย (ทำ) ...

I think the only typo in my OP was the ู instead of the correct ุ in กรุณา .

Edited April 3, 200818 yr by Trevor

Some examples that don't include any of your two choices above:

คอบคุณที่ไม่สูบบุรี: Thank you for not smoking.

เขตปลอดบุรี: No smoking zone.

ห้ามจอดรถซ้อนคัน: No double-parking allowed.

Those examples aren't requests, though. They are imperatives (commands).

Yeah, but how many Thais actually follow "request" signs?

In fact, I would also add "ผู้ฝ่าฝ้นจะถูกปรับ 1000 บาท" or "ผู้ฝ่าฝ้นจะถูกล็อกล้อ" to the end of my "imperative", just for good measure.

What is ฝ่าฝ้น ?

My use of 'please' was just on a note to the room maid to do something. I guess that โปรด is apposite, or even the more-casual ขอช่วย (ทำ) ...

I think the only typo in my OP was the ู instead of the correct ุ in กรุณา .

I believe that Edward meant, "ฝ่าฝืน" for "to violate" or "disobey".

I believe that Edward meant, "ฝ่าฝืน" for "to violate" or "disobey".

yep

'Khor kwahm garoona' ขอความกรูฌา

should be ณ instead of ฌ . Got it right the second time, though

My use of 'please' was just on a note to the room maid to do something. I guess that โปรด is apposite, or even the more-casual ขอช่วย (ทำ) ...

"ช่วย [requested action] ให้หน่อยนะครับ ขอบคุณครับ" would be appropriate.