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[QUOTE=Ripple67;1517528]I've been in Thailand for almost six weeks. One thing I was not prepared for was how [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] poor most Thai's English language skills are.[/QUOTE]What if the situation were reversed? What if a native Thai speaker came up to you in your home town and asked for directions in Thai? How well could you communicate in their language? Sheesh
[QUOTE=Ripple67; 1517528]I've been in Thailand for almost six weeks. One thing I was not prepared for was how [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] poor most Thai's English language skills are. It's kind of been a spoiler on the holiday (no one can answer questions about local customs) and on mongering. I was planning to enjoy six weeks play here then go somewhere more exotic (such as Burma) for some cultural tourism, but really I am so disappointed by the linguistic (and other) skills of the (17) girls that I have bedded here that I am thinking of going to the Philippines, where apparently the girls can string a couple of sentences together. The best girl I had here so far (and by far) was Zambian!
Disappointed so far in the Land of Smiles after Bangkok, Pattaya and Kanchanaburi.
Ripple[/QUOTE]That must be soooooo annoying for you.
You and me, Brits, renowned for our linguistic skills and knowledge of foreign cultures. I have schoolboy French, about a dozen words in Thai, and 4 in Japanese. The girls here can often speak Thai and Lao fluently, most with passable English, and many with a smattering of French, German, Japanese and for some reason Norwegian. Oh, and without formal education beyond about 15.
[QUOTE=Scorchin;1517540]That the Thais are equally amazed at the [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] poor standard of most English speakers' Thai. Never criticise others for things where you are at fault.[/QUOTE]WOW, nice friendly thread here! Happy new year!
The guy said he was disappointed and was leaving. Sounds like his right to do both if he likes. In fact, I think that we all have the expectation that English will be spoken to some degree. If not then very few would travel anywhere because who wants to learn a whole new language just to go anywhere?
What I find more interesting is why he expected, in a third world country, that English would be fluent by virtually the lowest rung on the ladder.
And, that the level of hassle free sex and modern amenities in BKK at Patts didn't offset the poor English skills he experienced.
I haven't been to the Phils as I don't generally find Pinays that attractive but if hookers with English skills is his cup of tea then why does that offend you and why do you take it so personally? He simply made an observation.
[QUOTE=Ripple67; 1517528]I've been in Thailand for almost six weeks. One thing I was not prepared for was how [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] poor most Thai's English language skills are.
Ripple[/QUOTE]Let me say, and this is not personal on anyone, it is generic, but it is a fact, I am surprised to the level of bad spelling and grammar in English mother tongue people. What kind of language am I referring too? English, what else?
Go imagine why a foreigner should be colloquial in English? Philippines are for other reasons, not because of wise education programs.
[QUOTE=Ripple67; 1517528]I've been in Thailand for almost six weeks. One thing I was not prepared for was how [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] poor most Thai's English language skills are. It's kind of been a spoiler on the holiday (no one can answer questions about local customs) and on mongering. I was planning to enjoy six weeks play here then go somewhere more exotic (such as Burma) for some cultural tourism, but really I am so disappointed by the linguistic (and other) skills of the (17) girls that I have bedded here that I am thinking of going to the Philippines, where apparently the girls can string a couple of sentences together. The best girl I had here so far (and by far) was Zambian!
Disappointed so far in the Land of Smiles after Bangkok, Pattaya and Kanchanaburi.
Ripple[/QUOTE]I'm sure you told your folks at home you came to Thailand to discuss the finer points of English literature. And see what happens: all these girl want to do is fuck you. What a bummer! Go get your money back from the travel agency that sold you the "Discuss English Literature in Thailand" tour.
[QUOTE=Ripple67; 1517528]I've been in Thailand for almost six weeks. One thing I was not prepared for was how [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] poor most Thai's English language skills are. It's kind of been a spoiler on the holiday (no one can answer questions about local customs) and on mongering. I was planning to enjoy six weeks play here then go somewhere more exotic (such as Burma) for some cultural tourism, but really I am so disappointed by the linguistic (and other) skills of the...[/QUOTE]Quite strange, I had some Thai friends visit USA and they were surprised as to how [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] poor we spoke Thai!
You should bypass Philippines. It sounds like you won't have a good time there either. Their English is not that great and with your expectations will only cause attitude problems with the girls and locals.
Possibly your best bet would be in English speaking countries!
[quote=ripple67;1517528]i am so disappointed by the linguistic (and other) skills of the (17) girls that i have bedded here that i am thinking of going to the philippines, where apparently the girls can string a couple of sentences together.[/quote]by all means go to the pi. when the lights go out in the bar, you'll be able to communicate. when the trike driver scams you, you'll be able to understand him. when you have no internet connection, it will be easy to whine & be understood. when the p4p gal has her le friend cart you away for [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123][CodeWord123][/url], you will know what they are saying.
[QUOTE=Ripple67; 1517528]I've been in Thailand for almost six weeks. One thing I was not prepared for was how [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] poor most Thai's English language skills are. It's kind of been a spoiler on the holiday (no one can answer questions about local customs) and on mongering. [/QUOTE]Sounds like you failed to plan, hence you planned to fail. Next time do your research before you go somewhere. Then you won't have to sit around looking stupid waiting for people to explain things to you. You will already know. At the university it was expected that we would have already read over and studied the material before we came to class to get the actual hands-on lesson.
[QUOTE=Mr Enternational;1517674]Sounds like you failed to plan, hence you planned to fail. Next time do your research before you go somewhere. Then you won't have to sit around looking stupid waiting for people to explain things to you. You will already know. At the university it was expected that we would have already read over and studied the material before we came to class to get the actual hands-on lesson.[/QUOTE]Quote Originally Posted by Ripple67 [View Original Post]
I've been in Thailand for almost six weeks. One thing I was not prepared for was how [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] poor most Thai's English language skills are. It's kind of been a spoiler on the holiday (no one can answer questions about local customs) and on mongering.
He's stupid, he'll probably pay too much and cause our prices to go up. Do you really want guys like him here?
[QUOTE=Ripple67; 1517528]I've been in Thailand for almost six weeks. One thing I was not prepared for was how [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] poor most Thai's English language skills are. It's kind of been a spoiler on the holiday (no one can answer questions about local customs) and on mongering. I was planning to enjoy six weeks play here then go somewhere more exotic (such as Burma) for some cultural tourism, but really I am so disappointed by the linguistic (and other) skills of the girls that I have bedded here that I am thinking of going to the Philippines, where apparently the girls can string a couple of sentences together. The best girl I had here so far (and by far) was Zambian!
Disappointed so far in the Land of Smiles after Bangkok, Pattaya and Kanchanaburi.
Ripple[/QUOTE]While you have been roundly criticized for this comment, you do bring up a valid point. The level of spoken English in Thailand is abysmal compared to other SEA countries. University-level English speakers are not near the level of their counterparts in Burma or even Vietnam, far more so for those with limited education such as you will find in the bars. One should never expect everybody to speak "your" language when traveling abroad, but it is fair to expect that somebody employed in the tourism business would have a decent grasp of English, if that's their target audience.
If you are really interested in learning about local customs, find a reasonably attractive bar girl and take her for a week or two. Travel around and let her be your cultural guide and translator. You'll look like a putz (to regular Thai people) running around with a bar girl, but no worse than most other farang who do the same thing. Sure, you won't get to boink a different girl every night, but you will learn more about Thai culture. It will be "bannok" culture, but it's a start.
If you're not really interested in learning the culture and customs, best to stick to the USA, the UK, Canada and Germany.
[QUOTE=Phordphan;1517772]While you have been roundly criticized for this comment, you do bring up a valid point. but it is fair to expect that somebody employed in the tourism business would have a decent grasp of English.[/QUOTE]Might be true, but the comment was mainly addressed to the subject of this forum and the uncapacity from the providers to have colloquial english skills.
Whether the sex providers are part of the tourism business is your judgement. They are not, IMHO, even if we go to Thailand with that target.
I have never found difficulties in communicating in english in Thailand with lot of people, educated and / or in the REAL tourism business or related to tourism.
Have found difficulties with many sex providers, but as someone said before, we are not meeting them for the talks, although, I admit, it is better to meet someone you can talk to.
Even sex has an advantage.
But if you have good english skills and good education, would you sell your pussy for a few tens of bucks every nightand day at NEP or Soi Cowboy or in a MP on in the streets?
[QUOTE=BionicMan; 1517783]Whether the sex providers are part of the tourism business is your judgement. They are not, IMHO, even if we go to Thailand with that target.
But if you have good english skills and good education, would you sell your pussy for a few tens of bucks every nightand day at NEP or Soi Cowboy or in a MP on in the streets?[/QUOTE]Agreed. They really are not, and my comment was just general observations on the state of English in Thailand. However, bar girls with enough experience tend to become fairly fluent in English or Japanese.
Funny, even as we speak I'm helping my GF (degree, many years speaking English for work, many $$ spent on private English schools) string together a coherent sales pitch in English.
[QUOTE=Phordphan;1517772]If you're not really interested in learning the culture and customs, best to stick to the USA, the UK, Canada and Germany.[/QUOTE]I travel a bit around the world and one thing I've found is that there will always be that fair portion of people that want the comforts of home in an exotic place rather than jumping into the culture. Nothing wrong with that for those people, but complaining about it is useless. I find if you try to keep your preconceptions to a minimum and do a slight bit of research before you go somewhere new, you will have less surprises and a more pleasant experience. My only puzzlement on the original post is why did he expect them to have good English skills? I myself am more interested in their French and Greek skills!
Reminds me of when I was in Greece on the island of Rhodes a few years ago. Excellent Tavernas selling fresh local Mediterranean food, but the only place with a line was a food stand selling Fish and Chips to British tourists.
Read on the Suvarnabhumi Airport web site:
Mrs. Rawewan Netrakavesna, the General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, said Since the 5th January 2013, the political protest is ongoing in many areas of Bangkok, which may cause additional traffic and may affect travels to and from the airport. Therefore, we would like to recommend that passengers prepare travel time to Suvarnabhumi Airport at least 4 hours before flight departure time and to avoid routes nearby and around the protests. Also, we would highly recommend the usage of Airport Rail Link, together with the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) SkyTrain, the Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) or the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) which can also connect to other modes of public transportation.
Mrs. Rawewan added to maintain consistent passenger services during the political protest, Suvarnabhumi Airport has coordinated with the airports public transportation providers to have a contingency plan in case of passengers being unable to travel to and from the airport; such as change of routes for Shuttle Bus between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports, provide airport personnel and information boards to advise passengers using public taxi and airport limousine to avoid areas near the political protest, etc. Furthermore, we are following the orders of the Ministry of Transport for all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Ministry to have a contingency plan for public travels during the political protest with road closures in many areas of Bangkok; in which case, Suvarnabhumi Airport has prepared its Long Term Parking area as a public car park and has prepared Shuttle Bus services for those wishing to travel in and out of Bangkok, to and from nearby public transportation stations, such as the Airport Rail Link, BTS SkyTrain and SRT.
Mrs. Rawewan concluded Suvarnabhumi Airport is prepared to facilitate passengers in other areas as well, such as the set up of the Airport Operation Center (AOPC) to coordinate with all organizations and agencies within the airport, for example, public bureaus, state agencies and airlines. The Center will be opened 24 hours daily, with various airport personnel available at all times to assist and facilitate passenger affected by the current political situation as promptly as possible. The Center is situated behind check-in counter row R, Departure Hall. 4th floor of the Passenger Terminal, telephone number 0-2132-9950 or 2, facsimile number 0-2132-9951. Furthermore, Suvarnabhumi Airport has allocated waiting areas for passengers missing their flights due to the travel uncertainties from Bangkok.
Additionally, from the 10th January 2013, Suvarnabhumi Airport will deploy a group of facilitation personnel, from various organizations such as the Association of Thai Travel Agent (ATTA) , Thai Hotels Association, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) , etc. To assist passengers near the AOT Information Counter, Arrival Hall. 2nd floor of the Passenger Terminal.
For further information, please contact AOT Information Counters at Suvarnabhumi Airport or Call Center 1722 (24-hours).
Monday 13th Jan has been described as the Bangkok big shutdown with 7 major intersections to be closed by protesters includes Asoke-Sukhumvit intersection near to Terminal 21. This is the day you want to allow extra time to get to the airport. Most other days don't seem to be a big problem so far.
[url]http://www.richardbarrow.com/2014/01/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-bangkok-shutdown/[/url]
Staying very close to Asoke Sukhumvit intersection like Soi 19, 21, or 23 may not be the best idea if need to leave on 13 Jan. Recommend to use motorcycle for short distance transport.
Me being at Soi 20, fortunately there are other routes to / from there on Sukhumvit to the east or on Soi 22 from Rama IV.