learning the thai language

[parrot]

Thanks indeed
Usually I am told how useless my efforts to master the Thai language are.

I long ago gave up efforts to master the language. But I take great joy in being able to decipher shop signs, menus, and an occasional headline or chyron as they scroll along the TV. If you're able to read those signs, you're one of few expats here who can

[parrot]

If you're looking for bite-size Thai lessons, Thaipod101 is a good source. I use their podcasts.......usually just a few minutes in length with speakers who clearly enunciate both the sound of the letters and the tones.
I did this short lesson today......read the script a few times, then listen to the podcast.


ผึ้ง: ผีแพนด้าตลกมากเลย
เจมส์: ดีใจจังที่ผึ้งชอบ
(เสียงท้องร้อง)
ผึ้ง: เอ่อ...เราไม่ได้กินข้าวกลางวันน่ะจ้ะ ตอนนี้หิวมากๆเลย
เจมส์: ผมก็หิวเหมือนกันครับ งั้นเราไปหาอะไรทานกันดีไหมครับ
(เสียงทานข้าวที่ร้านอาหาร)
ผึ้ง: เจมส์ เรียนจบแล้วเจมส์จะทำอะไรเหรอ
เจมส์: ผมยังไม่ได้ตัดสินใจเลยครับ แล้วผึ้งล่ะครับ
ผึ้ง: เราอยากเป็นแอร์โฮสเตสจ้ะ แต่ยังไม่ได้ปรึกษาพ่อแม่เลย ไม่รู้ว่าเขาจะอนุญาตหรือเปล่า

----Formal English----

Phueng: "Ghost Panda" was so funny!
James: I'm glad you liked it.
(sound of stomach gurgling)
Phueng: Oh, I didn't eat lunch. I'm so hungry now.
James: I'm hungry too. Should we look for something to eat?
(sound of eating food in a restaurant)
Phueng: What are you going to do after you graduate, James?
James: I haven't decided yet. How about you?
Phueng: I want to be a flight attendant. But I haven't yet consulted with my parents about it. I don't know whether they will allow me to or not.

[parrot]

I'll label this reason #2988, but it could just as easily be another number.

On my way out to the vicinity of Erawan Cave, to help out with a VFW school donation, I stopped at a small gas station/coffee shop. Posted on the shop wall was a photo of a recent government announcement concerning trans fats and another photo of an announcement by Carnation.
I had nothing better to do while waiting for my cuppa than to try and decipher some of both photos......if you do, you'll have a better understanding of things taking place in the world (Thailand) around you.

[parrot]

I helped my wife mix up a batch of dish soap today.....(post515413.html) that she jazzes up with her own herbal formula that knocks out even the strongest odors. While reading the instructions for the dish soap, I was reminded of one of the biggest reasons I decided enough was enough......it was time to learn at least some basic reading skills. I'd be in a store, without my wife or with her while she was shopping things that don't interest me, and wanted to read the label on a product. Oops, couldn't do that. Did the product have a warranty? What was the mix ratio? How much sugar did the product contain? Preservatives? MSG? etc.
As most labels are written for the common person.......not scholars....you'd be surprised how you can begin to pick apart the instructions/ingredients on a label with some basic reading skills.
If you have a lht at your beck and call 24/7, then this reason to learn Thai may not be for you. But it worked for me.

[parrot]

One of the (many) quirks of learning Thai is that, although Thais use a boatload of English words in their vocabulary, most times the pronunciation is a bit off from the way we say it in English. So words like steak become sa-take and lift become liff, and apple becomes appen. On the positive side, a piss-poor Thai vocabulary (like mine) becomes enhanced once you learn the oddities of saying English words in Thai.
So, yesterday, while waiting for a short order at KFC, I noticed the following borrowed words on the menu:
นักเก็ตส์
แซร์
วิงส์
เป๊ปซี่
แอนด์
ป๊อป
ดับเบิ้ล
สแต็ก
เมนู

Any takers?

[vidmaster]

Nugget
Sair?
Wing
Pepsi
Airnd?
Borb?
Double
Steak
Menu

[vidmaster]

Nugget
Sair?
Wing
Pepsi
Airnd?
Borb?
Double
Steak
Menu

[parrot]

sair? is share.......ชิค แอนด์ แซร์ chick (nuggets) and share

แอด์ is and

ป๊อป is pop (as in popcorn shrimp....but in this case, chicken)

You qualify for a counter job at KFC! Enjoy!

[parrot]

Members of the VFW post in Udon made a small donation to a school about 20km outside of Udon today....100 students/8 teachers/most all farming families.
The signs around the school caught my attention......the photo shows some of them. More opportunities to practice your Thai/English when out and about.

[parrot]

A few weeks ago while in Tesco, my wife watched as one of the workers prepared a fresh batch of yakisoba and packaged it for sale. The worker used packages of MaMa noodles (without the seasoning), as that seems to be a favorite with many of the younger generation.
A few days later, in Villa, she noticed packages of 'Japanese' noodles and decided to make her own yakisoba.....not much pork, but lots of veggies. It was very delicious. She's made the yakisoba on several occasions.....the leftovers keep well in the fridge....heated up they taste as good as fresh off the stove.
Yakking yakisoba over our morning coffee about the difference between the MaMa and the Japanese noodles.....I compared: MaMa made with 20% palm oil......with total fat (ไข่มันทั้งหมด) at 20% and saturated fat (ไข่มันอิ่มตัว) at 30% of recommended daily intake. The Japanese type, no palm oil, no saturated fat and only 2% of recommended daily total fat.
A pack of Mama (one serving)....about 4-5 Baht. The Japanese style.....4 full servings (equal to 4 Mama) for 25 Baht.
You could probably decipher much of the above without being able to read Thai.....but it becomes much easier to understand if you can make out key words. Healthy reason #2598

[parrot]

For a fair amount of time, early on in my reading Thai lessons, I thought some guy/gal named Jay had a franchise of restaurants around town.
Then I learned better:

'tis the season for vegetarians

[GT93]

That's probably one of the first Thai words and pieces of Thai script that vegetarians learn.

[mech_401]

oh that's right. Oct 8th until 17th vegetarian time

[mech_401]

it also seems to coincide with term break for
most students. udtown heaving last nite

[parrot]

As you exit Lotus (ring road near the airport), you turn left onto the ring road (divided highway). You look right for oncoming traffic. There's a sign next to the Lotus sign that makes for a good reason #3002 to learn a bit of Thai.

[jeebeeg]

Beware, cars on the wrong side of the road.

[vidmaster]

Or it’s ok to ride on wrong side of road for motorcyclists who never wear a หมวกนิรภัย

[FrazeeDK]

danger, vehicles driving against traffic rawang, rot yawn sawn... Which is why when pulling onto any road you'd do well to look both ways three times!! and use those mirrors to catch the idiots who think you're not moving fast enough and decide to pass you on the left to enter the highway...(motorcycles mostly...)

[parrot]

That sign could just as easily translate to "look both ways three times!!" t.i.t.

[mech_401]

how about " warning : motorbikes like to drive
around after dark, without their lights on"
can we maybe get that wrote up