This episode we will talk about the word “tired”. In Thai we have TWO different words and we found that most students are often confused when to use each word. So let’s have a look! We have TWO words which are “1. เหนื่อย /nùeai/” and “2. ง่วงนอน/ngûang-nawn/” both can be translated as ‘tired’ in English but what is the difference? It is so … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Commonly Confused Words EP.2
VIDEO: Commonly Confused Words EP.1
This lesson we will talk about Thai words that are used for ‘when’. We have three different words for ‘when’. It sounds like why we need to complicate things, right? Don’t worry it is simpler than you think. Just watch this video to the end and you will understand it clearly. เมื่อไหร่ /mûea-rài/ is a question word used to form any 'when' questions. For … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Commonly Confused Words EP.1
VIDEO: Customizing Food Order
Dialogue from the video Waitress : สวัสดีค่ะ รับอะไรดีคะ sà-wàt-dii kâ, ráp à-rai dii ká? (Hello, what would you like to order?) Pear: เอาต้มยำกุ้งพิเศษเห็ดค่ะ ao dtôm-yam-gûng pí-sèet hèt kâ (I would like to have Spicy Prawn Soup with extra mushrooms please.) เอาผัดผักเพิ่มกุ้งค่ะ ao pàt-pàk pêrm gûng kâ (I would like to have stir-fried vegetable and add shrimps … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Customizing Food Order
VIDEO: Money Matters
Useful Vocabulary and Phrases: Money = เงิน /ngern/ (formal term) ตังค์ /dtang/ (informal term) Banknote = แบงค์ /báeng/ Small banknote = แบงค์ย่อย /báeng yâwi/ To exchange = แลก /lâek/ Do you have smaller notes? = คุณมีแบงค์ย่อยมั้ย /kun mii báeng yâwi mái?/ I only have 1000 Baht note = ผมมีแค่แบงค์พัน /pŏm mii kâe báeng pan/ Can I exchange a big note … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Money Matters
VIDEO: Isan 101 (Basic Northeastern Thai Dialect)
Northeastern region of Thailand or what Thai people refer to as ‘อีสาน Isan also Isaan, Isarn, Esan, or Esarn’ is the largest part of the country. You might hear the official term is “ภาคตะวันออกเฉียงเหนือ pàak dtà-wan-àwk-chǐang-nŭea”. The main language is Isan, which is a dialect of the Lao language. Isan belongs to the Chiang Saeng and Lao–Phutai language groups, which … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Isan 101 (Basic Northeastern Thai Dialect)
VIDEO: Thai Short Vowels
To speak Thai clearly and make local people understood, it is not only getting the tones right it is also pronouncing the vowels correctly. There are in total 32 vowel sounds in Thai language, 14 of them are long vowel sounds and 18 are short vowel sounds. Similar to pronouncing Thai tones, when the vowel changes the meaning changes too. So you should make sure you … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Thai Short Vowels
Don Wai Riverside Market: A day out from the bustling Bangkok
One of the great excursions to do over the weekend is to visit one of the many floating markets within easy reach of Bangkok. The one that I visited last Sunday is called Don Wai Market (ตลาดดอนหวาย) which is in Nakhon Pratom Province (นครปฐม). My mom took me here before a couple of times when I was little and I haven't had a chance to revisit since, so it was nice to be back … [Read more...] about Don Wai Riverside Market: A day out from the bustling Bangkok
VIDEO: Hotel Conversation
Hotel conversation I was in Koh Samet , my favourite closest island to Bangkok for a weekend getaway. I took the opportunity to film a short video lesson about inquiring for a room and making a reservation as well as requesting for extra things in the resort. Fortunately a receptionist was so kind to help me making this lesson. Below is the script of our conversation and … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Hotel Conversation
Traditional Songkran
Water wars are undoubtedly the focus of modern-day Songkran festivities but they are not the only mode of celebration. The festival is observed in a variety of other ways although is often the central theme. On the first day of Songkran, which is a day to honour the elderly, an old custom called Rod Nam Dum Hua (รดน้ำดำหัว) takes place. This ritual involves young people … [Read more...] about Traditional Songkran
Trimurti Shrine – Bangkok’s Shrine of Love
I was one of the bridesmaids in my good friend’s wedding today. It was a lovely party all around. Every couple has their own how-we-met story, but we were talking about what really brought them together. I would like to share an interesting side of the love story related to Thai believe. I believe many of you have been to Bangkok and have heard of the Central World … [Read more...] about Trimurti Shrine – Bangkok’s Shrine of Love
Sweet Thai Idioms and Proverbs
Teacher Pear and I met up in a cafe in Bangkok for an afternoon sweet treat. We were talking about how much we loved eating dessert and it let us to an old saying "กินคาวไม่กินหวานสันดานไพร่ gin kaao mâi gin wăan săn-daan prâi/". People in this generation like to jokingly use it as an excuse to eat more sugar. We found this expression interesting and would like to share with … [Read more...] about Sweet Thai Idioms and Proverbs
VIDEO: 10 Thai Romantic Phrases
We selected lovely Thai phrases that could help express your feelings. Learn these romantic Thai phrases to win over that special someone in your life. 1. You melt my heart คุณทำให้ใจผมละลาย /kun tam-hâi jai pŏm lá-laai/ ทำให้ tam-hâi = cause, make ละลาย lá-laai = melt 2. I have got a crush on you. - คุณโดนใจผมมาก /kun doan-jai pŏm mâak/ โดนใจ … [Read more...] about VIDEO: 10 Thai Romantic Phrases
VIDEOS : Useful Thai Lessons for This Valentine’s Day
1. How to Ask Someone Out 2. 10 Useful Words of the Heart 3. Thai Love Phrases 4. Thai Slang: We are of the Same Mind 5. What Type of People are You Attracted to? … [Read more...] about VIDEOS : Useful Thai Lessons for This Valentine’s Day
Klong Lat Mayom: the Authentic Bangkok Floating Market
There are many floating markets around Thailand. I enjoy being by the water so I have visited to many of them. Most of the nice floating markets are outside Bangkok which is too far for a day trip. I was happy to find Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำคลองลัดมะยม), which is less known than the heavily touristy floating markets such as Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa, but I … [Read more...] about Klong Lat Mayom: the Authentic Bangkok Floating Market
National Children’s Day in Thailand
Thailand celebrates its National Children’s Day (วันเด็กแห่งชาติ) on the second Saturday in January. Every year on this day, there are campaigns to indicate that children are the most valuable resource of the nation.The Prime Minister will establish the motto for children. Here is what was chosen by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha: คำขวัญวันเด็กแห่งชาติ 2561: รู้คิด … [Read more...] about National Children’s Day in Thailand
VIDEO: Common Questions about Celebrating New Year
So our year come to an end and the New Year is almost here. Teacher Pear has a small gift for you all - she made a short video talking about five useful questions you can use to ask your Thai friends about their New Year's celebration. She also has lovely message to say to you at the end of the lesson, so please watch until the end. :) Here are the five questions in the … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Common Questions about Celebrating New Year
How do Thai People Celebrate New Year?
A lot of people asked me if Thai people celebrate New Year like the rest of the world as the traditional Thai New Year is on 13th of April known as ‘Songkran’. The answer is ‘yes’. Thai people have been celebrating the 1st of January as the first day of the year for almost 70 years. The New Year is a long holiday in Thailand from 31st December to 3rd January. Many people … [Read more...] about How do Thai People Celebrate New Year?
Some Favourites from Our Videos in 2015
As I was writing our newsletter last week I was scanning through the videos Pear and I have uploaded over the past 12 months. While we would obviously like to do more (although that would have been impossible with our full time commitment with one-to-one lessons, and our other projects), we really enjoyed making the ones we've made and thought they were useful for your Thai … [Read more...] about Some Favourites from Our Videos in 2015
VIDEO: 10 Common Thai Interjections
Have you ever heard a strange funny sound from a Thai person and you didn't understand what it meant? In this lesson we show you the common sounds that Thai people make to show emotion or feelings. We hope it helps you to understand Thai people better and you can also apply to your own everyday life and make yourself sound like a Thai. :) In Thai 'interjection' is called … [Read more...] about VIDEO: 10 Common Thai Interjections
Photo Gallery: My Trip to Chiang Rai
"Chiang Rai (เชียงราย)" might be less well known than Chiang Mai as a tourist destination. After my visit to Chiang Rai in February 2015 I found that Chiang Rai was actually much fascinating with less tourists than Chiang Mai. Chiang Rai is endowed with an abundance of natural beauty and cultural heritage that attracts visitors year round. Where is Chiang Rai? Chiang Rai is … [Read more...] about Photo Gallery: My Trip to Chiang Rai
