For years I have been mildly annoyed by something that seems to occur regularly in this forum. I am not certain exactly when it began, nor where it appeared from, but it is becoming most annoying.

Last week we were in Chiang Mai City (Promenada, to be exact - almost totally deserted...) doing some shopping. Stopped for lunch and in the restaurant, overheard two farang men talking about ".. maybe going to ...".

Do any of you actually realize how silly, pompous, retarded, dumb, affected, obnoxious [ sigh, run out of descriptions...] that actually sounds?

I ask that posters refrain from using that term, espercially those of us who actually live in Chiang Rai, Province or City. Perhaps mods could make that a strong suggestion [ as if strong suggestions ever worked on this forum....].

Oh... yes... I'm referring to the use of the words:

....the Rai

Sorry I just don't get it?...but this is how I see it...

2 guys talking about maybe going to Chiang Rai?

Why is it while your listening in on them so annoying to you when it's kind of none of your business what they're doing?

How about mind your own business and just eat your lunch!

(please correct me if I'm wrong)

Edited December 26, 201312 yr by krisb

Possibly it is you who need education on the thai translation of Chiangrai and its origins. Chiang means city....Chiangrai means city in the fields. Just as Chiang Mai means new city.

Unless you are just refering to a small part of the built up area of Chiangrai it is completly correct to refer to it by its more local name.

...maybe going too... ...

Sorry, I give up.

...maybe going too... ...

Sorry, I give up.

I worked it out Dal, they hate the way Chiang Rai is referred to as The Rai.

It really peeves them off.

...maybe going too... ...

Sorry, I give up.

I worked it out Dal, they hate the way Chiang Rai is referred to as The Rai.

It really peeves them off.

So we're talkin' about a conflict between the Rais and the Mais, here..?

That sounds too heavy, dude..

It's something Australians used to tend tend to do a lot, abbreviate the names of towns and add "the".

The Alice, the Isa, the Hill (Broken Hill)....

An affectionate diminutive?

The practice seems to be dying out but in the mean time I suggest anyone who gets annoyed by it just doesn't listen.

I must admit to being a major offender and often refer to my home as The Rai. Not being a townie, The Rai refers to the Chiang Rai region, in the context of VF speak.

I like it and will most likely continue to offend, though that is not my intent, because I am not easily swayed by the opinions of others. I don’t mind people not liking the reference, however, and I am not overly bothered if they think less of me for saying The Rai.

...maybe going too... ...

Sorry, I give up.

I worked it out Dal, they hate the way Chiang Rai is referred to as The Rai.

It really peeves them off.

I imagine it just annoys the OP, doubt very much anyone else cares so there is no they or them.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Save it for a few more years Harrry, it can only get more valuable...

Save it for a few more years Harrry, it can only get more valuable...

Had Xmas.com.au for a few years but did not get round to doing anything with it.

I love The Rai and will name change the way I refer to it.

Actually it is like the "N" word, which only black people can use. If you don't live here don't let us hear ya calling it da Rai, Ya feel me?

I find this whole confession thing quite cathartic so while I am at it, there is another thread on TV about being called “Daddy”. My wife and I use pet names with love and affection, with Mommy and Daddy being used often, especially in the company of our Golden Retriever “daughter”. I guess I am a pretty offensive guy.

It might also be worth mentioning that the OP lives a wonderful life if “The Rai” is his greatest peeve.

Possibly it is you who need education on the thai translation of Chiangrai and its origins. Chiang means city....Chiangrai means city in the fields. Just as Chiang Mai means new city.

Unless you are just refering to a small part of the built up area of Chiangrai it is completly correct to refer to it by its more local name.

But but, the op is a local to the Rai so everyone else should just shutup and listen.

Long live the Rai.

Weeding out all the unhelpful troll posts.

Sorry for being an unhelpful troll, I just feel I should be able to call The Rai The Rai if I so wish.

If it drives him nuts, bad luck.

Edited December 26, 201312 yr by krisb

Had no idea it was refered to as "the Rai" by some..but thanks for pointing it out OP, because i think its quite catchy.
When i start using The Rai to refer to CR now, maybe my friends will find it catchy too.

With so many more of us using THe Ria, i imagine you will end up immune to it. Win win !

What about Bangers?

As in Bangkok.

[Me shrugs my shoulders - everyone to their own. ]

I first arrived in Chiangwat Chiang Rai/The Rai (pick one according to your taste) in 1989. The use of the abbreviated version of Chiang Rai is relatively recent. When I first saw "the rai" it came after a heated debate about spelling of the word "Chiang" (Chieng or Cheng to some, I must admit - even to the Government who have posted many signposts with alternative spellings). Guess it might come in handy at times for people with limited understanding of the language or just limited understanding.

But that discussion will have to wait. I'm off to The Mai to catch a plane to The Kok and then on to The Kong.

Good to see you are catching up with the times.

Good to see you are catching up with the times.

Right outta likes..

So your off to the Congo then op?

I really didn't know what the *#%) the OP was talking about, but it seems others have pieced it together to mean that the OP gets really annoyed with people calling Chiang Rai, "The Rai".

I really don't know whether I should envy the OP for having so few concerns in his life that something so amazingly minor with absolutely no effect on his life could move him to start a topic here or to pity him (for having so few concerns in his life that something so amazingly minor with absolutely no effect on his life could move him to start a topic here).

Along with being helpful, this forum is priceless. Perhaps when I am here longer I will understand these posts more, but for the time being I will only be amazed.

Using the term 'The Rai' is surely nothing less than an affectionate term used by locals who feel some connection with the area?

Never thought of that one.. not bad!

And I just realised a rant is an excellent and harmless stress reliever.

Very nice.

Seems there are a lot of others bored out of their skulls on this fine boxing day. No goose to cook - but then we don 't have an oven to cook it in anyway; no pine needles to clean-up from under the tree; no Christmas wrapping to collect and burn in the fireplace; no kids to yell at for throwing snowballs at the house; no ice to scrape from the wind-shield, and no snow to shovel from the walks.

It's 24 and sunny outside - (almost) exactly the same in Edmonton Canada (except for the minus in front of the number there...).

So it's probably time simply to wish all and sundry the best of this holiday season, and a happy and healthy 2557/2014 :-)

Edited December 26, 201312 yr by Rotweiler

I really didn't know what the *#%) the OP was talking about, but it seems others have pieced it together to mean that the OP gets really annoyed with people calling Chiang Rai, "The Rai".

I really don't know whether I should envy the OP for having so few concerns in his life that something so amazingly minor with absolutely no effect on his life could move him to start a topic here or to pity him (for having so few concerns in his life that something so amazingly minor with absolutely no effect on his life could move him to start a topic here).

Along with being helpful, this forum is priceless. Perhaps when I am here longer I will understand these posts more, but for the time being I will only be amazed.

Either that or the Op is a wind up merchant

May the peeves in his life never grow greater than a little linguistic laziness.