Outrageous Thai By Tf Rhoden

[scottthomas]

This seems to be a new author. I checked out the reviews on Amazon but it only has one, and that person hasn't even read it yet??

Recommendations??

Cheers!

Scott

[PhilHarries]

Well I also haven't read it but have read a review, in Bangkok Post I think, of it that was not good. The reviewer thought that it is a very dangerous book as many of the phrases used in the wrong context/place/people could get you a beating or maybe a close encounter with the business end of a firearm. I don't know how accurate that assessment is but I'd be very wary of learning anything from it.

[Rikker]

Yeah, I recall that same review. Basically, the book leads you to believe you will be "edgy" or "cool" if you know their "outrageous" Thai.

More likely, you'll get shot or stabbed.

Without having read it myself, I imagine this book isn't really doing yourself any favors. I doubt that it properly educates the reader about when/how native Thais would use these words, and the likely reaction. Thais have short fuses when it comes to language. Certain words can really set them off, and being a cheeky foreigner may even exacerbate this.

Until I get a chance to look at the book, based on what I've seen so far I'd recommend steer clear.

[MKAsok]

^Very good advice I reckon. If you want to learn some more idiomatic Thai, Benjawan's 'Speak Like a Thai' series is a good (and probably far safer) place to start.

[wasabi]

I agree, just a single misplaced word can get you into a fight. I would say such a book should only be for more advanced learners and with the guidance of a Thai person when and how to use each, if ever.

[scottthomas]

I agree, just a single misplaced word can get you into a fight. I would say such a book should only be for more advanced learners and with the guidance of a Thai person when and how to use each, if ever.

This was about my same sentiment. I would imagine that some people would make the argument that they would buy it in order to know when someone else was using these words against them. But then again, maybe not knowing too much can be a good thing in a situation like that!!

Either way though, I found that article Phil mentioned and it piqued my interest. I'm going to give the book a try. I'll probably write a review up on Amazon too, since no one who has actually read the book yet.

Cheers!

Scott

[mynextgig]

I agree, just a single misplaced word can get you into a fight. I would say such a book should only be for more advanced learners and with the guidance of a Thai person when and how to use each, if ever.

This was about my same sentiment. I would imagine that some people would make the argument that they would buy it in order to know when someone else was using these words against them. But then again, maybe not knowing too much can be a good thing in a situation like that!!

Either way though, I found that article Phil mentioned and it piqued my interest. I'm going to give the book a try. I'll probably write a review up on Amazon too, since no one who has actually read the book yet.

Cheers!

Scott

This forum is full of posts asking whether certain words and phrases are bad, rude, inappropriate Thai and most of the time the conclusion is that these phrases are 'gutter talk' etc, although you will continue to hear them in everyday speak.

In my experience there are only a handful of words in thai that said in any context or situation would be considered vulgar, but there are thousands that when said in context can be either very demeaning or simply playful and unless you are fluent enough to use them appropriately then as per the other posts, steer well clear.

You only need to look at some english examples - 'Idiot', not a particularly rude word.

Situation 1. Playing cards with a friend who puts down a poor hand, 'Oh you idiot' = playful and joking.

Situation 2. Someone spills your pint in a bar, 'You Idiot' = probably going to get nasty.

I am sure there are thousands more examples.

Edited April 9, 2009 by mynextgig

[CSS]

I agree, just a single misplaced word can get you into a fight. I would say such a book should only be for more advanced learners and with the guidance of a Thai person when and how to use each, if ever.

This was about my same sentiment. I would imagine that some people would make the argument that they would buy it in order to know when someone else was using these words against them. But then again, maybe not knowing too much can be a good thing in a situation like that!!

Cheers!

Scott

For the same reasons given for why the book should be read with caution when attempting to use the words, it should also be read with caution when listening for these new words when they are spoken to them. With basic knowledge of the words without the cultural context it would be easy to become offended when no offense has been made. As is said in another post, the vast majority of the words are not offensive/vulgar in and of themselves but are only so within precise contexts. Most people can, however, tell when someone is being intentionally rude by the tone of their voice and for the novice/intermediate Thai learner I would say that is a far better cue to follow for when "someone else is using...words against them" than a book such as this. That said, I haven't read or even seen this book and it may do a good job of explaining contexts.

[yeows]

The book is interesting but I would not recommend it to beginners. There are too many inappropriate words and if they are used unwisely, could lead to a loss of face and life.

[makescents]

I bought the book the other day from B2S in Bangkok to read on a long bus journey I was about to take.

I wouldn't say the book is bad; although over priced at $15.00 (Amazon has it for pre-order $10.17).

It's broken down into 8 chapters:

1. Slang Basics

2. Quick Greetings

3. The Physical

4. Personal Traits and Characteristics

5. Cursing

6. Sex

7. Drinks and Drugs

8. Money and Vice

My book has a print error in which all the vowels that appear above consonants are missing a horizontal line making it slightly difficult to read.

I suppose what I don't understand about both this and the Speak Like A Thai series is that there really aren't enough books to get one to the proficiency level to use such material.

Take Thai grammar for instance, there are maybe half a dozen books on the market a few printed pre-1990 so surely putting the effort in to write one would financially pay off more than writing a niche slang book such as this.

I mean sure the reader can just pick out phrases and use them at will but with no conversational flow then what's the point?

Although I don't agree with all the reviews thus far, especially the one in the Bangkok Post which seems to be reviewing the entire book based upon the back cover. Let's face it, calling someone a "f**king c**t" in any country would probably get you punched in the face, Thailand is no exception.

[desi]

I bought the book the other day from B2S in Bangkok to read on a long bus journey I was about to take.

Is this the same book where the author admits that he isn't 100% sure of the reaction you'll get from the phrases, and to please contact him if you know better? 

I put together a series on Thai phrase books (reveiws, how to, etc). In preparation, I bought as many as I could find in Bangkok. Several days back I noticed a new one titled, 'Hide this Phrase Book. WARNING: Highly inflammible language inside, descretion is recommmended when using with locals'.

When I got the book home, I counted a grand total of two cuss words in the whole book. As I'm not on for getting cuss words into my head, the two were more than enough for me.