Living in Thailand

[Retired Army]

LBM,

as far as I remember your house is located in an area where an own well may be a solution to your water problems. You could also add underground tanks to your house which will allow you to "survive" those days without public water.

Underground tanks? I don't know anyone with underground tanks. Most of the tanks are on the roof and gravity fed.

[The Traveler]

LBM,

as far as I remember your house is located in an area where an own well may be a solution to your water problems. You could also add underground tanks to your house which will allow you to "survive" those days without public water.

[The Traveler]

Ken, OTH,

just a minor correction : The language spoken in the Buriram/Surin area is called "passa Tin", even though most people - including Thais - call it "passa Khmen". It has many similarities to Khmer, but it's not identical.

[King Dong]

All along the border of Thailand the thai people speak at least two languages. My ex wife come from Si sa ket, and in her village they use Khmer instead of thai. She also speak fluent Lao, as most of the people live on in east and north east of thailand. This is not dialects, but actually different languages.In the north of Thailand and all along the borderline to Myanmar they can speak burmese.

Do you know why they can speak those languages? Is it because of school or bilingual parents or do they learn it from visitors?

Only if there is one special reason to this. I dont think that learning two or three languages is something that just happens.

[Ken Orvik]

All along the border of Thailand the thai people speak at least two languages. My ex wife come from Si sa ket, and in her village they use Khmer instead of thai. She also speak fluent Lao, as most of the people live on in east and north east of thailand. This is not dialects, but actually different languages.In the north of Thailand and all along the borderline to Myanmar they can speak burmese.

If she can talk to the locals at Angkhor, then she speaks Khmer. I would assume from this that she comes from southern Isaan, either Buriram or Surin. I omitted Khmer from my report. I should have included it. But, the difference with Khmer from Isaan-Lao, and northern and southern Thai dialect is that, Khmer has absolutely no connection to Thai whatsoever.

[Old Thai Hand]

Old Thai Hand,

Anyhow, I particular like the example regarding the name of your female student. Hopefully, when I retire next summer in LOS, my fractured Thai won't cause a serious international incident. I'm going to print your comments and keep them inside my THAI dictionary. That way, I can try to figure out what particular dialect my gf uses.

When WE vacationed together at Angkor Wat, she had ZERO problems talking with the locals. However, on our trips to Vietnam and Laos, we were equally FARRANG...lol.

CONCLUSION: Hell if I know what dialect she speaks.

If she can talk to the locals at Angkhor, then she speaks Khmer. I would assume from this that she comes from southern Isaan, either Buriram or Surin. I omitted Khmer from my report. I should have included it. But, the difference with Khmer from Isaan-Lao, and northern and southern Thai dialect is that, Khmer has absolutely no connection to Thai whatsoever.

[Buzz00]

Daddy,

As they say; yin dee ( you are welcome )

I bought all my material at a well stocked store opp. the police station (next to the beach) in Jomtien - learning the alphebet is like learning to write all over again. The book shows you with arrows on the letters how to write - where to start and finish. As far as I can ascertain its great value and I had looked at everything else that was on offer. The Lonely Planet book I carry around with me.

When I finish learning this stuff, I will it over again and then hopefully go back to Thailand and do a 3-4 week course.


It would help to have a nice Thai lady to practice on.

[Daddy07]

Daddy07,

I went to LOS in September. About 2 months before going I used Conversational Thai from Pimsleur.

http://www.pimsleurdirect.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1816/.f

Rayzor

Excellent! There are also 2 other choices at the site: Thai and Basic Thai, and you can listen to the first lesson of each. I've bookmarked the site and will think about buying it after checking around some more.

Thanks,

Daddy

[Daddy07]

Daddy

Although Thai is a fairly economic language in terms of vocabulary and grammar, the problem with trying to learn Thai outside the country is the alphabet and more significantly, pronunciation. Reading Thai words on the internet or in a book doesn't even begin to give you the nuance necessary for Thais to understand...

Learning the Thai alphabet certainly is a huge help because Thai is phonetic and therefore learning the correct pronunciation of the aphabet helps you make the proper sounds.

I don't know if it is possible, but if there are Thais where you live, find out if the community offers language courses. Alternately, see if you can at least find a Thai language book that includes an audio tape so that you can begin to hear how the language sounds. The expensive language book/course you mention might be worth it just to get the basics. Then you can practice when you come back. But, a Thai-speaking person is going to still be your best bet if you can find one where you live...

It's a bit of a minefield as you can see.

OTH,

You’re right that learning the alphabet is the key to learning the language, as roman letters just don’t cut it. The web sites I found do have Thai speakers pronouncing the words, including the alphabet characters, but so many consonants sound exactly the same, and the different tones which must be learned, present a daunting task for the beginner. There are no Thai’s where I live, so I think I’ll follow your advice to find a book/course with audio CD’s. Maybe I can find something second hand on Ebay. I think I’ll test my commitment first by learning everything I can from the free web sites before taking the plunge into an expensive course.

It’s a minefield, yes, but the rewards are considerable making the quest well worth the effort.

(Buzz00)

You might want to try Lonely Planet's Thai (345.-Baht), for starters and if you can learn everything in there, you would be off to a great start.

I bought THAI FOR BEGINNERS by Benjawan Poomsan Becker (700.- Baht) comes with 2 CD's and a book that teaches the sounds, consonants,short vowels,long vowels,instruction in writing, etc,etc. Its not simple to say the least.

Buzz,

Yes, I saw that option on the Learning Thai the Easy Way site priced at $34, which seemed reasonable. I know it’s not going to be simple but am willing to give it a go because knowing some of the language is worth it. Where did you buy it for 700b? And did you learn well from it?

Thanks to both of you for your advice.

คำขอบคุณ kam kòp koon (thank you)

Daddy

[Chitrapa]

Old Thai Hand,

Thank you for the detailed report on the geographic variations of the language. Korean (my second language) has the same sort of dialectic challenges, however, not to the same degree as Thai. Sadly, in Thailand, my Hangul only comes in handy on the Korean Airline flights to and from Bangkok.

Anyhow, I particular like the example regarding the name of your female student. Hopefully, when I retire next summer in LOS, my fractured Thai won't cause a serious international incident. I'm going to print your comments and keep them inside my THAI dictionary. That way, I can try to figure out what particular dialect my gf uses.

When WE vacationed together at Angkor Wat, she had ZERO problems talking with the locals. However, on our trips to Vietnam and Laos, we were equally FARRANG...lol.

CONCLUSION: Hell if I know what dialect she speaks.

LittleBigMan

Congratulations on your retirement. I can relate to those yearly three-week long pilgrimages. Have you thought about writing a book? Honestly and without a hint of sarcasm, you definitely make the simple scenes from daily life sound rather exciting! I dream of the day I can ponder the movement of Ants!

Please keep the reports coming!

[Rayzor]

Daddy07,

I went to LOS in September. About 2 months before going I used Conversational Thai from Pimsleur.

http://www.pimsleurdirect.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1816/.f

I have used Pimsleur for another language, and have been told by a native speaker that I speak it quite well.

I agree with OldThaiHand that having someone to practice it with in the U.S. is key. I was lucky that I have two Thais at work and a Thai neighbor in which to practice with, to ask questions to when I don't understand how to pronounce certain words, and to help when I was completley confused by phrases.

Rayzor

[LittleBigMan]

Well, it's has been just over 30 days since my retirement. This has certainly been the longest stay here in Thailand. The last 7 years has been 3 weeks at a time twice a year.

Since I currently have a off day from my house cleaning and car washing I decide to just take a few moments to personally comment on some observations.

I have concluded that one can have the best and most expensive house and not be able to keep the insects away nor can you keep the water flowing into your home daily. Luckily during my youth I did a lot of backpacking and camping so these past experiences have come in handy yet I'm thinking of taking a course to find out what types of snakes and bugs I am dealing with in Thailand since I have encounter so many.

As for ants there seem to be 3 types, the small and invisiable one that is inside your home until you happen to drop food or a crumb then they show up by the hundreds. Then there are the red ants outside that home that attack food and dead insects and finally the big black ants that I have personally seem carrying items across small roads to wherever, both I might add give a good small bite when they crawl on you.

Driving in Thailand is a challenge. Although I have a license to drive a commercial vehicle and have in the past handle large equipment I have yet to understand for a culture that does know what being on time means seem to put their lives at risk each time they are behind the wheel or on a motor bike.
This particular trip I have done a lot of driving and I just don't get what the big hurry seem to be just to get a few feet ahead of someone. As for the people on motorbikes I think the young boys are watching and playing to much video games.

I have a nice little house with A/C in each room, 2 clean showers with water heaters all modern but it means beans if the city decides to ration or turn your water off. It back to scoopie doopie showers! This does little for the nice looking green grass so put as little as possible this would avoid the grass needing cutting and keep the snakes away from making a nice home for themselves.

After a month living a non mongering life style one does get bored from all the house work so plan on finding some recreation outlet for yourself. But all in all things are coming around nicely. Not having to work or worry too much about time and being able to get my health back and at the end of the day taking a nice long shower and sleeping in a A/C room pretty much rounds out the day!
For those of you who stay and live in hotels never have to think about water is a luxury!

Good health to everyone and have a Merry Christmas!
LBM

[Buzz00]

Daddy,

You might want to try Lonely Planet's Thai (345.-Baht), for starters and if you can learn everything in there, you would be off to a great start.

I bought THAI FOR BEGINNERS by Benjawan Poomsan Becker (700.- Baht) comes with 2 CD's and a book that teaches the sounds, consonants,short vowels,long vowels,instruction in writing, etc,etc. Its not simple to say the least.

When next in Thailand consider taking a course in Thai.

And as OTH says chok dee.

[King Dong]

For those seeking a truly budget-minded travel destination. Check out the latest POSTS in the Ecuador section of ISG. 7 to 10 Dollar STs are widely available in Quito.

Yeah. I read through the forums in that section. But judging from the photos in the Ecuador section I greatly prefer the beatiful girls I found in Cambodia ST for 3 dollars and in Indonesia LT 20 to 40 dollars (all not freelancers).

And since I certainly don't have a general dislike for central and south american girls I have to guess that the 7-20 dollars ST places in equador don't have that many beautys. But judging from the posts alot of them offer an enthusiastic service.

[King Dong]

What is a country in Europe NOT in the EU?

Here's a short passage from the C.I.A. World Factbook:

a major international financial center vulnerable to the layering and integration stages of money laundering; despite significant legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules persist and nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through offshore entities and various intermediaries; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin

Before I wrote my last POST, I read over the comment history of Mr. Swiss Dong. Granted, I'm certainly not an ISG POSTING All-Star, but I found his question regarding age-of-consent very suspect.

NOTE: While I'm tired of Washington DCs moral police continued attempts at creating some new puritanical, fascist state. It's always been my understanding that 18 is STILL the MAGIC number for the ISG.

Well, I am pretty sure that I am not violating the forum rules since I am not mentioning any person under 18. If thats not the case. Then offcourse I will never again ask about the law and its enforcement of any country.

Since you are presenting us the text from a US information agency I don't have to mention all the children, men and women that the USA are directly and indirectly killing and abusing through theire politics and worldwide actions.

Certainly no way to gain my respect on theire moral guidance.

Thank you very much for the second hand information about the taking laos girl on vacation question