I learnt that "karuna" is an equivalent of the English word "please", but I've never actually heard it being used in TV or in real life. Can someone share examples of it being used? Or is it too formal and outdated?

It's much more formal than would be used in normal conversation without being considered "wer" or "over the top".

It literally translates more as "mercy" or "compassion" rather than simply "please".

Patrick

Probably encountered more often in written form than spoken. You see it very frequently in signs in shops and similar places.

In addition to p_brownstone's answer.

Examples are quite simple: กรุณา + <VERB> + <optional particle(s)>. You may find it written on many signs. (oops, AyG was faster than me )

In colloquial speech if you ask someone to do something, better use particles หน่อยสิ or just หน่อย.

Probably encountered more often in written form than spoken. You see it very frequently in signs in shops and similar places.

As in signs like "Please don't smoke here" / "Karuna mai thi sub buri thi ni"?

As in signs like "Please don't smoke here" / "Karuna mai thi sub buri thi ni"?

Not exactly.

If there's something prohibited, it is usually in the following form: ห้ามสูบบุหรี่.

"Please give up your seat to the elderly", like this.

Used when formally requesting people to do something. I have heard it used before although not particularly frequently. Such as asking everyone to queue up for something. กรุณาเข้าแถว

Okay, thank you for clearing that up everyone!

As in signs like "Please don't smoke here" / "Karuna mai thi sub buri thi ni"?

Not exactly.

If there's something prohibited, it is usually in the following form: ห้ามสูบบุหรี่.

"Please give up your seat to the elderly", like this.

ห้าม is pretty strong - more like "it is forbidden to"; กรุณา is closer to "please don't ...". That said, when it comes to parking lots, ห้าม is more common than กรุณา - not that it makes the slightest bit of difference.

I usually see it in signs like "Please take your shoes off"

and it's pronounced 'Garoona'

This song is called "Please listen (and let me finish)"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LqBNK6EyJs

heh heh... that song sprang to mind as soon as i saw the title of this thread.

ห้าม is pretty strong - more like "it is forbidden to"; กรุณา is closer to "please don't ...". That said, when it comes to parking lots, ห้าม is more common than กรุณา - not that it makes the slightest bit of difference.

กรุณา = please

กรุณาอย่า = please don't

maybe when you ask your GF for sex? if she says no... you can try your karuna

maybe when you ask your GF for sex? if she says no... you can try your karuna

Then she will burst into laughter.