101 Reasons To Learn Thai

[makescents]

So that you can tell all those half wit English people complaining about Pakistani immigrant to England that don't English:" well do you speak Thai?...how long have you been here?" <deleted> hypocrites

well said!

But to be fair support is provided by the country, here however we have to pay and there's no framework or encouragement by the Government.

[painai2]

So I can watch and understand the ongoing political situation on Thai tv.

[klons]

Just one short reason? Well, this won’t be the first time I’ve messed up someones thread.

3. by stevymac, but that’s just a fantasy for me as the dragon lady never lets me out of her site.

3b. To irritate the wife. She gave me the idea she doesn’t want me learning Thai. Better to keep me in the dark. This is no longer valid because she has come to accept the fact that I’m not giving it up.

3c. Besides being fun and entertaining, it gives me a goal to achieve in my retirement

years. I would like to be fluent in at least a half ass sort of way.

And one never knows, maybe I’ll be able to use Thai in the next life.

3d. I don’t want to stop at a roadside barbecue and find out after the fact that I just

ate barbecued rats.

[klons]

12 Should I be sentenced to Thai prison, I will learn the ropes of prison life much faster. Being able to schmooze with the guards and find cohorts to help plan my escape will be important.

เสียใจ แต่คุณวางน้ำตาลใกล้มดใครจะอดไหว

[jazzbo]

So that you can be young, single, officially jobless, and still stay in Thailand Unlimited-ly.

[Tod Daniels]

Why learn thai;

Why to listen to the ever informative and oh-so helpful take on all thingz thai the newly created "Rajaprasong Red Radio" located at 106.8 on your FM dial. Although be warned; it's about as far from 'easy listening' as you could get.

Sounds about like this;

Announcer; "Stay tuned, after this hideous rendition of a mor-lam thai song (which sounded remarkably like someone strangling a cat with a shoe lace ), we'll right be back with more politically skewed hate filled anti-government rhetoric by such illustrious speakers as Jatuporn, (failed pop singer) Arisman, and our perennial favorite none other than "Issan Rambo" himself Suporn." Sadly due to previous speaking engagements more moderate reds like Veera and/or whacky Dr Weng will not be present during tonites broadcast..

I think they purposely broadcast it at such a distortedly high volume so a person can ONLY understand the following spoken words; พี่น้องครับ, มึง, อภิสิทธิ์, กู, ยุบสภา, ไพร่, or the oft repeated entreaty ใช่ไหมครับ. ..

And now back to the pissing match; already in progress. ...

Edited April 20, 2010 by tod-daniels

[rgs2001uk]

^^^

Tod, I have to laugh.

As you are well aware the Thai language has a, ไม้ไต่คู้, a vowel shortener.

However I am unaware of it having a vowel lengthener, what would it be called?

Reason for asking, when listening to the peoples channel you mention above, I dont hear, พี่น้อง.

What I do hear is, Peeeeeeee Noooooooong.

Also lets not forget the inherent vowel in, ยุบสภา.

Always pronounced as yup saaapaaaaaa.

However I digress, as for easy listening, I find it more pleasing on the ear than that Kiss crap you listen to.

[klons]

It would appear the goal of 101 will not be achieved. What I would suggest is that you do a Top 10 list by selecting the 10 best from the thread. Here are some more for consideration. For the record, these are not my reasons, but reasons I believe other posters may have, who have not yet come forward.

13 To demonstrate that a satisfactory proficiency level of Thai can be achieved through self study and determination without going to expensive schools or engaging a native speaker coach.

14 To start my own website - oldpeoplelearning thai.com

15 The possibility of 15 minutes of fame. Should the Thai media get wind of my talents, they will surely want to showcase me on a Thai TV show.

16 The next time the Prime Minister summons me for a consultation on the state of the economy or other important matter, he will be more comfortable with my analysis and recommendations in his native language

17 More fame. If I can sing Kareoke well (better than I can spell it), I will be a novelty, attracting more Thai’s to the bar and receiving for myself in return, a discount on whatever services there are that they offer those places. (never actually been in one, but have seen the girls sitting outside under the Xmas lights.)

18 To be regarded as a respected scholar and authority on the thai language forum. The go to guy in a poster’s hour of need.

19 To gain insight into the nature and persona of the Thai people. For instance, go into a local neighborhood store and tell the clerk that I do not have enough money for a full bag of ice, Could I just buy 3 or 4 cubes. What will their reaction be ? Will they get mad and tell the farang kee nok to get the hel_l out of the store? Will they show compassion and give me a bag of ice for free? Or will they see the truth, that I’m just another idiot farang trying to be funny?

20 To be able to do some explaining. Explain to the clerk and the people behind me in line at the Carrefour that (tee jing) the adult pampers I’m buying are not for me, Or explain to the emergency response squad and police how the mother in laws wheelchair and mother in law who was sitting in it, accidentally got away from me and rolled down the street into the busy intersection.

21 On occasion when the Thai wife and I return to my native land, we will be able to talk behind peoples backs right in front of their face.

22 To be able to pass the time making crank telephone calls. For instance, me: “ do you have chang in a can?” them: “yes we do.” me: “must be one hel_l of a big can”. then I snicker in Thai and hang up.

[Sisaketmike]

don't learn thai......makes a lot of problems........use the fone to get over any lang problems.......it saves u a lot of money....no tea money.........

You don't learn Thai because you don't want to understand what the Thais are saying about you, right?

You should use your brain, not fone.

[Sisaketmike]

don't learn thai......makes a lot of problems........use the fone to get over any lang problems.......it saves u a lot of money....no tea money.........

You don't learn Thai because you don't want to understand what the Thais are saying about you, right?

You should use your brain, not fone.

66. To say that some foreigners are so weird and they don't understand you.

67. That you know how many gigs your wife has.

68. To be able to order Nueng Bia Atchaa jenn dee, Gaeuu nueng mee naam Kheng no duei.

69. To ask a prostitute how much she wants.

70. After having unprotected sex to be able to tell the nurses, doctors that the girl was sick.....

71. To listen to girls if they like you for one night.

72. To tell them what you'd like them to do.

73. To be able to tell your father in law to take the buffaoes out for a walk.

74. To get a Thai passport.

75. To impress tourists, talking in Suaheli Thai.

76. To be able to order Somtham Thai, mai pet.

77. To understand what your gf wants.

88. To say Sawasdee Khrap, Khun Tammruat.

89. To pay less money for National parks, just tell them fluently that you just bought that park.

90. To understand why your wife will never pass a lie detector.

Edited May 3, 2010 by Sisaketmike

[eurasianthai]

The only reason would be to communicate better with your Thai wife/husband.

If they do not speak any foreign language, that is.

Otherwise, it is just plain useless.

Edited May 3, 2010 by eurasianthai

[TheKingfisher]

To make my time here more plesent and interesting, by being able to talk to the locals and not have to stay in the group of expats who can only order food, beer and girls.