learning the thai language

[parrot]

Sometimes being able to read a bit of Thai is enough to bring a smile on your face......as you're meditating away the joys of getting a haircut.

As I began reading this sign on the rear door of the barbershop, I was sure it served as a warning sign for an emergency exit. And, as it turns out, that's exactly what the sign is for.

[parrot]

The barber's back door provides an escape route from one's wife

[parrot]

Back in the days of kerosene lamps, Thai children had nicknames like กุ่ง ไก่ หนู ปู กบ หมู เต่า.......but more popular modern names are กิฟท์ ฟอร์ด ไอติม กอล์ฟ อาร์ต. The ์ is often a hint that the word is borrowed from other languages...esp. English.
Last night we visited the nurse at our village clinic. She was caring for her grandson. I asked what his nickname ชื่อเล่น was: พอต, she replied. So I was trying to figure out if maybe the nickname was a sign of more progressive times in Thailand (as in Colorado, Oregon, California) or a take on the English word for a cooking utensil. Wrong on both counts........the nickname is short for the full nickname พอตเตอร์. t.i.t.

[FrazeeDK]

well they coulda called him Hallee.....

[parrot]

There are 10,000+ good reasons to learn a little Thai......this is reason #1843:

You're traveling on a divided 2 lane road (2 lanes each direction with a median). You see this small sign (รถวิ่งสวนทาง) on the side of the road. What should you expect?
Trick question: There is no sign.........what should you expect?!

Side note: the ?gas station? near the sign was set up a few years ago. I saw customers pump gas there for a day or two....then nothing. I inquired. Supposedly the owner set the station up too near the power lines that have a bypass switch. Meanwhile, it sits collecting dust. t.i.t.

[jeebeeg]

car parking

[parrot]

car parking

รถ = vehicle

วิ่ง

สวนทาง

[jeebeeg]

another try

traffic from opposite direction

[parrot]

another try

traffic from opposite direction

That's it. So, on a divided village road, while it's not uncommon to find vehicles traveling against traffic, at least with the sign, you know to expect it. In our case, one side of the road is closed for repair, so vehicles are required to travel on the wrong side of the road.
There are many more cases of signs in Thai only warning drivers of various hazards.......uneven surfaces, large holes in the road, construction ahead, etc. jeebeeg, if you were able to decypher the sign on your own or by using a dictionary to help out, you're on your way to making your life in Thailand much more satisfying. Good luck

[parrot]

I have a favorite t-shirt that I bought in Nakon Phanom several years ago at The River Hotel. On the front it says simply: เมืองสงบ ริมฝั่งโขง นารพนม. If the shirt said the same thing in English that it says in Thai, I probably wouldn't have bought it.......nothing wrong with the English, it just wouldn't have suited me.

I thought a bit about that t-shirt today, while in Sports World on the 4th floor of Central. One of the fine looking staff there was wearing a t-shirt that was emblazoned on the front with: fxxking is my cardio

My t-shirt made me think about her t-shirt.....and whether she'd wear the same t-shirt if it was in Thai instead of English.

Altgalw

Almost forgot.....today was Plowing Day.....so despite it being Monday, Central was a busy place.

[jeebeeg]

Nakon Phanom, quiet city along the Mekong.
Nakon Phanom is supposed to be like this;
นครพนม
Been there one time and indeed..

[parrot]

Nakon Phanom, quiet city along the Mekong.
Nakon Phanom is supposed to be like this;
นครพนม
Been there one time and indeed..

นครพนม.....indeed. Thanks. I was stationed there in the early 70s so lots of memories

[parrot]

Reason #1978

You're at Don Mueang, hungry, yet trying to preserve the few Baht you have in your pocket

https://www.facebook.com/chiangmaiupdat ... =3&theater

[jeebeeg]

ลับ is a bit strange, something like private or hidden or confidential

directions to the confidential food center of Don Muang Airport, dishes 25-50 thb each

[parrot]

ลับ......maybe like ลับตา out of sight
Anyway, good to know for the traveler on a budget!

[the-monk]

Magic Food Point DMK ...Good luck finding it.. It s located outside the airport terminal after the International Building, near the bus parking area. Limited food selection and low quality compared the one in BKK... Avoid it and save yourself few bahts and a deception.

[parrot]

The link gives step by step instructions on how to find the food court. I agree, the food isn't what I would want, but I know several expats who don't blink at eating อาหารสำเร็จ

[GT93]

Sometimes being able to read a bit of Thai is enough to bring a smile on your face......as you're meditating away the joys of getting a haircut.

As I began reading this sign on the rear door of the barbershop, I was sure it served as a warning sign for an emergency exit. And, as it turns out, that's exactly what the sign is for.

That's hilarious. Thailand can be absolutely delightful.

[parrot]

I was at the Nanyuan Restaurant today.....next to Bangkok Bank on Phosri Rd. Had a delicious lunch. The sign on the pillar said เปิดให้ บริการ 11.00 - 21.00 น. หยุดทุกวันพุธ
The first half is pretty easy to figure out without reading the Thai. But reading the second half helps prevent one of those posts by a disgruntled customer.

[GT93]

Closed every Wednesday.