in this context, it's a term of endearment

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Yes, all a bit weird.

When I really cared about the Thai language I noticed that my missus used both versions when talking to me.

you gave up caring too?

OMG.

A Thread I Actually Enjoyed.

Khrap To You. Khrap To Me.

I thought it was a load of khrap.

OMG.

A Thread I Actually Enjoyed.

Khrap To You. Khrap To Me.

I thought it was a load of khrap.

Disappointed it's not another bar girl topic, Khun Biker?

every heard of a joke? Thais like to have fun with their language and not be so serious all the time

Can't say I've personally heard that before, with the exception of 'tomboys'.

Nobody can easily explain that KRAP when used by women is just more polite than KA ?

You just arrived, right ?

You're definately not being patronised. It's a common practice and I don't know of any use that changing the gender particle is derogatory. If anything they're being cute or trying to help you.

I often hear Thai women using the male particle when talking to young boys up to teenage years or foreigners learning Thai. I think it is a caring, teaching thing and not much more. My wife uses it with her 15 year old son all the time.

This happened to me many times and i always thought it was fun and respectful. Kind of like, i know you speak Thai and I know that you will enjoy this light cajolery.

But as khrap stories go try this one. I was at the launch of a major new international school at the presitigious Grand Hyatt hotel in Bangkok. On stage were the founding fathers of the school and in the large audience the hiso mums and dads who wanted their offspring to attend this school. The director of studies, a very nice culturally sensitive man but fresh out of the UK got up to deliver his opening speech. Having read somewhere that khrap is used for men and kha for women he started his speech proudly: "Sawatdee khrap , Sawatdee kha...." Bless!

A woman will only say Khrab to a man, If he is younger, in a lower social position, a junior at work, or if he is a realy close friend.

When I lived in Chiang Mai, sometimes Thai men (shopkeepers, songthaew drivers, etc.) would use "ka" when speaking to me. I always wondered why they did that.

Angela

Actually when that is said (in the context in which you describe) it would really mean "thanks", and not a polite particlle. (the addition of the "r" sound is how correct the speaker wishes to sound).

When they use "ka" they are being respectful to a male...when the use 'khrap' to a foreigner...it is disrespectful...like the joke is on you...

When they use "ka" they are being respectful to a male...when the use 'khrap' to a foreigner...it is disrespectful...like the joke is on you...

Completely untrue!

When I see spelling KHRAP,I'm thinking Crap. I say KOP, or COP. And the females say KA to me.I never hear Crap- KHRAP

When they use "ka" they are being respectful to a male...when the use 'khrap' to a foreigner...it is disrespectful...like the joke is on you...

Biggest nonsense I have ever heard.. where did you learn thai ?

If a female uses the word krap to a male it has bugger all to do with age or social position .. it is purely the same as saying .. Mr !

Actually when that is said (in the context in which you describe) it would really mean "thanks", and not a polite particlle. (the addition of the "r" sound is how correct the speaker wishes to sound).

Please remember .. thais love to leave out the L and the R and also interchange then randomly .. no set rule that can't be broken... enjoy and don't try to over analyse it ;-)

Sad to see that even the basics of the language have eluded some people.

http://www.speakrealthai.com/polite.html

" Women Can Also Say ครับ krap

When talking with young men, usually someone younger than the woman. A woman might say ครับ to make the sentence sound more friendly. "

I experience this too with the ladies working in 7/11. Which might actually be older than me. This happens only after some Thai was spoken, never with the Thais I speak only english with.

When I see spelling KHRAP,I'm thinking Crap. I say KOP, or COP. And the females say KA to me.I never hear Crap- KHRAP

Thais often drop the R sound in everyday language so you will rarely here Khrap prounced correctly and foreigners follow and pronounce it like you. But Khrap is the correct way to pronounce the word.

Round here Khrap is pronounced Kharb (Lao/Thai?), and is used by both sexes as basically "thanks" whether buying/selling in the market, or accepting a light for a cig.

Bit more on female usage of Khrap:

http://siamsmile.webs.com/thaiparticles/thaiparticles.html#KHRAP

I am still a man, but sometimes I have used kaaaa with my most melodious voice and the girls always liked it. Try it. The manlier you are the funnier it sounds.

While I understand the topic well, I rather enjoy another Thai habit. All golf players know that. I am searching for my ball. Then the pretty caddy points at one and says "my ball". Then I say "OK, YOUR ball, but I am looking for MY ball". All caddies seem to do that. So, I wasn't shocked when my new girl friend asked "Where is my house" talking about my house before I even had considered making it "her house".

But, don't worry.

It is not a Freudian mistake. Thais seem to have a problem with the concept of pronouns.

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I've been told by unrelated parties that it is no big deal, either way. I said, Ka for years. Though I noticed men saying Khrup. Then I asked and most of the time I now Khrup.

Some Thai women say crap to the foreigner Kha

My wife uses "khrap" to a 17-year old male student we know. She says she uses this term to him in order to remind him that he needs to use this word when he is speaking, a bit like telling him to tuck his shirt in and tie his shoe laces.

The cutest thing I saw at a hawker centre in Patts. Father talking to the cutest puss daughter like teaching her some rules: She just said ka ka ka ka ka

Father:.. and then you do this and... then he said "Khao Jai Ba"

I like the "Ba" I think its cute and sounds good and I also like "Ja" to say yes. I dont like "Krup" for some reason will use instead Krup Pom or pronounced KarrPom (Probably wrong!)

Ah yes,

Seems like those of us who learned the language are in the minority.

Bit more on female usage of Khrap:

http://siamsmile.webs.com/thaiparticles/thaiparticles.html#KHRAP

Please tell me that link doesn't lead to a scat-fetish site.