Thailand Time

[JetsetBkk]

Let me revisit this issue one more time and explain to the marbleheads on this forum what was the original intent of my post. I am not criticizing the fact that Thais have some type of unique time keeping system...

Unfortunately for you, your original post is there for all to read...

... there is a local jargon for referring to time used in Issan and perhaps other areas of Thailand....I have encountered this half-baked reference to time keeping several times ... I guess it probably made sense while everyone was "down on the farm" 100 years ago. Now, it's another Thai tradition that should be history.

And...

I have asked many times for explanation from my acquaintances, some of whom were univ. grads. who spoke good English and I got no answer.

But then...

... Thais have some type of unique time keeping system known only unto themselves...

Perhaps your university educated Thai friends didn't understand your English.

[a2396]

Let me revisit this issue one more time and explain to the marbleheads on this forum what was the original intent of my post. I am not criticizing the fact that Thais have some type of unique time keeping system...

Unfortunately for you, your original post is there for all to read...

... there is a local jargon for referring to time used in Issan and perhaps other areas of Thailand....I have encountered this half-baked reference to time keeping several times ... I guess it probably made sense while everyone was "down on the farm" 100 years ago. Now, it's another Thai tradition that should be history.

And...

I have asked many times for explanation from my acquaintances, some of whom were univ. grads. who spoke good English and I got no answer.

But then...

... Thais have some type of unique time keeping system known only unto themselves...

Perhaps your university educated Thai friends didn't understand your English.

Quite possible their English was not good enough to explain such a convoluted time keeping system, without the use of a graphic chart, such as is used on the web sites so kindly provided by some other posters here. I personally have no use or interest in such a system. My opinion of this system still stands, but it is of course the local option to perpetuate it if they so desire. You are welcome to culturally "freeze dry" yourself here. Such is not one of my preferences.

[njpski]

Let me revisit this issue one more time and explain to the marbleheads on this forum what was the original intent of my post. I am not criticizing the fact that Thais have some type of unique time keeping system known only unto themselves. That is "up to them" as they say in the local language. What I found to be frustrating was the apparent expectation that foreigners should or would understand such referencing without explanation. As I have said, I have been here 4 years, and in that time I have had many Thais use this colloquial usage to state the time, when speaking to me. I have asked many times for explanation from my acquaintances, some of whom were univ. grads. who spoke good English and I got no answer. It was if this was some sort of Thai only thing that foreigners didn't need to know about. Finally, a few weeks ago, my GF, did explain it to me.

What is of note is that Thais apparently are taught and are familiar with the 24 hour system, so it would seem logical that they would use this when discussing time with foreigners. Of course, I don't expect all Thais are going to speak English or adapt all foreign customs. But, the extent of "inward vision" here is surprising. This is only one small example.

When I first came to the US from continental Europe at age 18 (a long time ago), the Americans just assumed that I would understand their idiotic 12-hour system with am/pm. Of course any intelligent and educated person realizes that the 24-hour system is the only sensible one.

They also indicate dates mm/dd/yy! How stupid can you get, you have numbers with three orders of magnitude, so you write the middle one (months) first, the smallest one (days) in the middle followed by the largest one (years). Any sensible person of course realizes that it should be yymmdd, which also simplifies sorting, e.g. on a computer.

Seriously: Accept that you are in country other than your home, in this context YOU are wrong, THEY are right. If that is beyond you, or you refuse to accept it, you probably ought to go back where you came from

/ Priceless

Thai time is different from farang time, there is less of a sense of hurry, hurry. And punctuality as a concept does not seem to exist, but who is more sensible the a_nally retentive clock watcher or the person who goes with the flow???

and month/day/year is hopelessly confusing, year/month/day or day/month/year are logical as they run in sequence.

[JetsetBkk]

Quite possible their English was not good enough to explain such a convoluted time keeping system, without the use of a graphic chart, such as is used on the web sites so kindly provided by some other posters here.

What about my link? I thought that one was pretty good: http://www.learningthai.com/time.html

I personally have no use or interest in such a system. My opinion of this system still stands, but it is of course the local option to perpetuate it if they so desire. You are welcome to culturally "freeze dry" yourself here...

I'll have to think about that one - not sure if it's an insult or compliment.

Edited June 9, 2008 by JetsetBkk

[mr_hippo]

Quite possible their English was not good enough to explain such a convoluted time keeping system, without the use of a graphic chart, such as is used on the web sites so kindly provided by some other posters here. I personally have no use or interest in such a system. My opinion of this system still stands, but it is of course the local option to perpetuate it if they so desire. You are welcome to culturally "freeze dry" yourself here. Such is not one of my preferences.

Another possibnility is that you do not have the sense or the brain cells to understand a simple system and why do you need a graph to understand it? One day = 24 hours, divide that into 4 periods of 6 hours; now what don't you understand - simple English or simple maths?

[a2396]

Quite possible their English was not good enough to explain such a convoluted time keeping system, without the use of a graphic chart, such as is used on the web sites so kindly provided by some other posters here.

What about my link? I thought that one was pretty good: http://www.learningthai.com/time.html

I personally have no use or interest in such a system. My opinion of this system still stands, but it is of course the local option to perpetuate it if they so desire. You are welcome to culturally "freeze dry" yourself here...

I'll have to think about that one - not sure if it's an insult or compliment.

Sorry, yes your link was quite good as well. My remark was neutral. Each person can make their own choices.

[wolf5370]

The use of the bells to mark the time stems from the period when seamen

(1) could not afford a personal time piece (i.e. - a watch)

(2) even if they could, they had no idea on how to tell time with such an instrument. (PMPL)

The bells mark the hours of the watch, in half-hour increments. The seamen would know if it were morning, noon, or night.

Each watch, is four hours long.

Apologies to any Jack Tars, me hearties.....lol

It is very similar to Thai time system.

Not that similar, it in 4 hour slots (with dog watches of two hour blocks too). It was developed before watches even existed. The main reason was for the start andend of watches (erm, not the mechanical ones, but times that the sailors were on/off shift). Some people below decks rarely came up, so it was also the only way they knew day or night.

[huggybear]

Especially for the two <pejorative deleted> above: http://www.learningthai.com/time.html

I suggest you look in the mirror, if you want to see a <pejorative deleted>. I suppose you like to defend every nit wit, half a$$ed custom that are only useful to SOME Thias in Thailand. This kind of time referencing has no use or place outside of Thailand or in helping Thais deal with foreigners, except for the purpose of confusing them.

um, as a Thai, I can safely say that it is a system used by all Thai's. All 60 odd million of us can't be nit-wits can we?

But, aplogies on behalf of my fellow countrymen that the system of time wasn't designed for you in mind. But, not to worry, we shall get the crayons out for you later and draw some pretty pictures so it is easier for you to understand

HA, HA, !!!

Great, I'd appreciate that

[a2396]

Quite possible their English was not good enough to explain such a convoluted time keeping system, without the use of a graphic chart, such as is used on the web sites so kindly provided by some other posters here. I personally have no use or interest in such a system. My opinion of this system still stands, but it is of course the local option to perpetuate it if they so desire. You are welcome to culturally "freeze dry" yourself here. Such is not one of my preferences.

Another possibnility is that you do not have the sense or the brain cells to understand a simple system and why do you need a graph to understand it? One day = 24 hours, divide that into 4 periods of 6 hours; now what don't you understand - simple English or simple maths?

Don't tell me. Tell my Thai friends, who thought the matter was not important enough to bother explaining any aspect of it to me. Perhaps they were correct. Apparently, this issue is near and dear to certain members of this forum. Dividing the day into four - six hour slots does not explain anything to me, unless I am told the beginning point for first hour. Your "simple English" above failed to do so. I did not ask for the visual aids. They were contained via some web links posted by a couple of members.

It would also appear that there are specific words in the Thai language, which refer to each of these 24 time slots in the Thai system and they do not translate directly to the English numbers 1 to 7. There really is not an English equivalent to adequately utilize this system and probably explains why Thais (or anyone else) would have a difficult time explaining this in English, without the aid of a chart. I will stick to the 24 hour system in use by hospitals, transportation facilities, etc which is pretty much a standard in most countries, including Thailand.

[wolf5370]

It would also appear that there are specific words in the Thai language, which refer to each of these 24 time slots in the Thai system and they do not translate directly to the English numbers 1 to 7. There really is not an English equivalent to adequately utilize this system and probably explains why Thais (or anyone else) would have a difficult time explaining this in English, without the aid of a chart. I will stick to the 24 hour system in use by hospitals, transportation facilities, etc which is pretty much a standard in most countries, including Thailand.

Not words for each 24 hour slot, but for each set of 6 hours (like we have AM and PM for our two 12 hour slots) - but they have special terms for some strategic times (like we might say noon or midnight).

Goes like this:

1-5AM: dee <number 1 to 5>

6-11: <number 6 to 11> mong [chao] - sometimes chao is left off to confuse us

12 Noon: Tiang Wan

1pm - 6pm [this one's a bit quirky]:

1pm: Bai mong - i.e. number is left off, I think this is just because it sounds 'nicer'

2pm: Bai <number 2> mong

3-6pm: Bai <number> mong [yen] - sometime yen is left off

7pm-11pm: [OK, numbers are reset to 1]: <number 1-5> Toom

Midnight: Tiang Koen

Scribble it down on a bit of paper and everytime you look at your watch try to sya the Thai equivalent, its quite easy after a fashion I asure you. Yes, its wiered for us, but when in Rome (or BKK)

[ETC]

Let me revisit this issue one more time and explain to the marbleheads on this forum what was the original intent of my post. I am not criticizing the fact that Thais have some type of unique time keeping system known only unto themselves. That is "up to them" as they say in the local language. What I found to be frustrating was the apparent expectation that foreigners should or would understand such referencing without explanation. As I have said, I have been here 4 years, and in that time I have had many Thais use this colloquial usage to state the time, when speaking to me. I have asked many times for explanation from my acquaintances, some of whom were univ. grads. who spoke good English and I got no answer. It was if this was some sort of Thai only thing that foreigners didn't need to know about. Finally, a few weeks ago, my GF, did explain it to me.

What is of note is that Thais apparently are taught and are familiar with the 24 hour system, so it would seem logical that they would use this when discussing time with foreigners. Of course, I don't expect all Thais are going to speak English or adapt all foreign customs. But, the extent of "inward vision" here is surprising. This is only one small example.

When I first came to the US from continental Europe at age 18 (a long time ago), the Americans just assumed that I would understand their idiotic 12-hour system with am/pm. Of course any intelligent and educated person realizes that the 24-hour system is the only sensible one.

They also indicate dates mm/dd/yy! How stupid can you get, you have numbers with three orders of magnitude, so you write the middle one (months) first, the smallest one (days) in the middle followed by the largest one (years). Any sensible person of course realizes that it should be yymmdd, which also simplifies sorting, e.g. on a computer.

Seriously: Accept that you are in country other than your home, in this context YOU are wrong, THEY are right. If that is beyond you, or you refuse to accept it, you probably ought to go back where you came from

/ Priceless

Wow Priceless... You may want to re-read your last post and apply your own stated solution. Or are you an exception to your own rules? Just a suggestion.

[a2396]

Let me revisit this issue one more time and explain to the marbleheads on this forum what was the original intent of my post. I am not criticizing the fact that Thais have some type of unique time keeping system known only unto themselves. That is "up to them" as they say in the local language. What I found to be frustrating was the apparent expectation that foreigners should or would understand such referencing without explanation. As I have said, I have been here 4 years, and in that time I have had many Thais use this colloquial usage to state the time, when speaking to me. I have asked many times for explanation from my acquaintances, some of whom were univ. grads. who spoke good English and I got no answer. It was if this was some sort of Thai only thing that foreigners didn't need to know about. Finally, a few weeks ago, my GF, did explain it to me.

What is of note is that Thais apparently are taught and are familiar with the 24 hour system, so it would seem logical that they would use this when discussing time with foreigners. Of course, I don't expect all Thais are going to speak English or adapt all foreign customs. But, the extent of "inward vision" here is surprising. This is only one small example.

When I first came to the US from continental Europe at age 18 (a long time ago), the Americans just assumed that I would understand their idiotic 12-hour system with am/pm. Of course any intelligent and educated person realizes that the 24-hour system is the only sensible one.

They also indicate dates mm/dd/yy! How stupid can you get, you have numbers with three orders of magnitude, so you write the middle one (months) first, the smallest one (days) in the middle followed by the largest one (years). Any sensible person of course realizes that it should be yymmdd, which also simplifies sorting, e.g. on a computer.

Seriously: Accept that you are in country other than your home, in this context YOU are wrong, THEY are right. If that is beyond you, or you refuse to accept it, you probably ought to go back where you came from

/ Priceless

Wow Priceless... You may want to re-read your last post and apply your own stated solution. Or are you an exception to your own rules? Just a suggestion.

My last post and stated solution was that I prefer the 24 hr system in use WORLDWIDE, if that's OK with you. YOU can do everything the Thais do without question if you prefer. I'd rather make my own choices.

[a2396]

TO THE MODERATOR: I reccomend you close this topic. I thnik I have made my point. Some members seem interested in turning this into some personalized pi$$ing contest.

[ETC]

I was born in the USA in 1943 and I learned the 12-hour AM/PM system of keeping time. When I was in the Marine Corp we used the 24-hour system. Now that I am in Thailand (most of the time) I am learning the 6 hour an 7 hour system to round out my education. I figure I am better for it, and truly welcome this thread and thank all of you that have helped me understand Thai time.

[ETC]

Especially for the two <pejorative deleted> above: http://www.learningthai.com/time.html

I suggest you look in the mirror, if you want to see a <pejorative deleted>. I suppose you like to defend every nit wit, half a$$ed custom that are only useful to SOME Thias in Thailand. This kind of time referencing has no use or place outside of Thailand or in helping Thais deal with foreigners, except for the purpose of confusing them.

um, as a Thai, I can safely say that it is a system used by all Thai's. All 60 odd million of us can't be nit-wits can we?

But, aplogies on behalf of my fellow countrymen that the system of time wasn't designed for you in mind. But, not to worry, we shall get the crayons out for you later and draw some pretty pictures so it is easier for you to understand

Please issue crayons to the other some 3 + billion people in the world, who might have to interact with Thais in the course of human interactions. Unfortunately, I doubt if I am going to adopt this localized time keeping system, which seems to be unique to Thailand. In contrast to some posters here, I do deal with the world outside the borders of Thailand and have advanced my cultual preferences beyond the 19th century. I find many positive aspects of Thai culture, that are beneficial to the society and the interaction of the country to the world community. This system of time referencing is not one of them.

I think you are underestimating the intelligence of 3 billion people there. Not everyone is 4 years slow on the uptake. But the crayons are there for you, and while we are at it, well throw in the teaching of four free words to denote the four periods of the day which Thai's typically use. Either that, or I'll teach you to count to 24 in Thai, so you can use the 24 hour clock used by all government and offical institutions.

Hi Samran... I will take you up on your offer of teaching me the "four free words to denote the four periods of the day", as I want to be sure I have them right.....Thank you!

[ETC]

ETC

I was just taking the piss to a certain degree, but there is a little bit of truth to it, the average American has a fairly insular view of the World.

rick75

may be a little truth in what you say, but one only has to look around the world to see that us Yanks aren't alone.

[ETC]

Here you go. Thai Time.

Thanks. I'm sure I will be going out listening for the chimes and drumbeats, so I can schedule my day, with the rest of my worldwide friends who are also so tuned.

Sawadee Kup 2396, I can appriciate your frustration, The Kingdom

is a new world to all of us expats and things can be very strange to us

until we accept the fact that it is us who must adapt. We can spend time complaining or we can spend time learning, " up to you ".

Personally I have fun learning new traditions and cultures.

I can only say " lighten up on yourself" and take it easy. Don't let them old wheels drive you crazy. We all said "there must be something better" so we came here to find it. I found it in the LOS and it keeps me here. The people, the culture, the food are what makes Thailand,

Thailand. 4 years here, we are infants in western time! Lifelong learning keeps the gray matter active. You can "checkout" anytime you want. Have a good life and don't forget to smile. Papa.

Well said Papa! My sentiments exactly..

[ETC]

Quite possible their English was not good enough to explain such a convoluted time keeping system, without the use of a graphic chart, such as is used on the web sites so kindly provided by some other posters here.

What about my link? I thought that one was pretty good: http://www.learningthai.com/time.html

I personally have no use or interest in such a system. My opinion of this system still stands, but it is of course the local option to perpetuate it if they so desire. You are welcome to culturally "freeze dry" yourself here...

I'll have to think about that one - not sure if it's an insult or compliment.

JetsetBkk

Thank you for the site url...( http://www.learningthai.com/time.html) is just what I needed.

Edited June 9, 2008 by ETC

[ETC]

Let me revisit this issue one more time and explain to the marbleheads on this forum what was the original intent of my post. I am not criticizing the fact that Thais have some type of unique time keeping system known only unto themselves. That is "up to them" as they say in the local language. What I found to be frustrating was the apparent expectation that foreigners should or would understand such referencing without explanation. As I have said, I have been here 4 years, and in that time I have had many Thais use this colloquial usage to state the time, when speaking to me. I have asked many times for explanation from my acquaintances, some of whom were univ. grads. who spoke good English and I got no answer. It was if this was some sort of Thai only thing that foreigners didn't need to know about. Finally, a few weeks ago, my GF, did explain it to me.

What is of note is that Thais apparently are taught and are familiar with the 24 hour system, so it would seem logical that they would use this when discussing time with foreigners. Of course, I don't expect all Thais are going to speak English or adapt all foreign customs. But, the extent of "inward vision" here is surprising. This is only one small example.

When I first came to the US from continental Europe at age 18 (a long time ago), the Americans just assumed that I would understand their idiotic 12-hour system with am/pm. Of course any intelligent and educated person realizes that the 24-hour system is the only sensible one.

They also indicate dates mm/dd/yy! How stupid can you get, you have numbers with three orders of magnitude, so you write the middle one (months) first, the smallest one (days) in the middle followed by the largest one (years). Any sensible person of course realizes that it should be yymmdd, which also simplifies sorting, e.g. on a computer.

Seriously: Accept that you are in country other than your home, in this context YOU are wrong, THEY are right. If that is beyond you, or you refuse to accept it, you probably ought to go back where you came from

/ Priceless

Wow Priceless... You may want to re-read your last post and apply your own stated solution. Or are you an exception to your own rules? Just a suggestion.

My last post and stated solution was that I prefer the 24 hr system in use WORLDWIDE, if that's OK with you. YOU can do everything the Thais do without question if you prefer. I'd rather make my own choices.

Priceless....

You stated; Quote: "the Americans just assumed that I would understand their idiotic 12-hour system with am/pm. Of course any intelligent and educated person realizes that the 24-hour system is the only sensible one".

Just to clarify my position, I hold two masters degrees, from Oregon State University, and I do not believe an intelligent nor educated person would make such a statement.

In your defense I will say that the 24-hour system is better suited for the world as a whole, but many peoples in the world are not and never will be worldly.

[Priceless]

Let me revisit this issue one more time and explain to the marbleheads on this forum what was the original intent of my post. I am not criticizing the fact that Thais have some type of unique time keeping system known only unto themselves. That is "up to them" as they say in the local language. What I found to be frustrating was the apparent expectation that foreigners should or would understand such referencing without explanation. As I have said, I have been here 4 years, and in that time I have had many Thais use this colloquial usage to state the time, when speaking to me. I have asked many times for explanation from my acquaintances, some of whom were univ. grads. who spoke good English and I got no answer. It was if this was some sort of Thai only thing that foreigners didn't need to know about. Finally, a few weeks ago, my GF, did explain it to me.

What is of note is that Thais apparently are taught and are familiar with the 24 hour system, so it would seem logical that they would use this when discussing time with foreigners. Of course, I don't expect all Thais are going to speak English or adapt all foreign customs. But, the extent of "inward vision" here is surprising. This is only one small example.

When I first came to the US from continental Europe at age 18 (a long time ago), the Americans just assumed that I would understand their idiotic 12-hour system with am/pm. Of course any intelligent and educated person realizes that the 24-hour system is the only sensible one.

They also indicate dates mm/dd/yy! How stupid can you get, you have numbers with three orders of magnitude, so you write the middle one (months) first, the smallest one (days) in the middle followed by the largest one (years). Any sensible person of course realizes that it should be yymmdd, which also simplifies sorting, e.g. on a computer.

Seriously: Accept that you are in country other than your home, in this context YOU are wrong, THEY are right. If that is beyond you, or you refuse to accept it, you probably ought to go back where you came from

/ Priceless

Wow Priceless... You may want to re-read your last post and apply your own stated solution. Or are you an exception to your own rules? Just a suggestion.

My last post and stated solution was that I prefer the 24 hr system in use WORLDWIDE, if that's OK with you. YOU can do everything the Thais do without question if you prefer. I'd rather make my own choices.

Priceless....

You stated; Quote: "the Americans just assumed that I would understand their idiotic 12-hour system with am/pm. Of course any intelligent and educated person realizes that the 24-hour system is the only sensible one".

Just to clarify my position, I hold two masters degrees, from Oregon State University, and I do not believe an intelligent nor educated person would make such a statement.

In your defense I will say that the 24-hour system is better suited for the world as a whole, but many peoples in the world are not and never will be worldly.

Congratulations on your two masters degrees, I am sure you deserved them. If you re-read my post, I'm sure that you will realize that my beginning the third paragraph with "Seriously: " indicates that the previous two were somewhat sarcastic in nature...

BTW, you have replied twice to my one post. Maybe overdoing things a little, don't you think?

What I did when I came to the US was, of course, to accept the American way of doing things! Who was (am) I to change the ways of the country where I am a guest and an outsider? I still considered the 24-hour system and the "yymmdd" way of writing dates superior, through the lesser likelihood of misunderstandings. I did not, however, try to impose them on anybody or criticize the American way of doing things.

When in Rome...

/ Priceless

[JetsetBkk]

TO THE MODERATOR: I reccomend you close this topic. I thnik I have made my point. Some members seem interested in turning this into some personalized pi$$ing contest.

Good idea!

[Khutan]

TO THE MODERATOR: I reccomend you close this topic. I thnik I have made my point. Some members seem interested in turning this into some personalized pi$$ing contest.

Good idea!

There are some very good hospitals in Bangkok that offer "Laser Treatment" so one can not feel inadequeate.

Needless to say - good time to close

//closed