Songkran (Thai: สงกรานต์) is a traditional Thai New Year festival where people enjoy themselves by throwing water at each other. In Sanskrit, the word Songkran means ‘to pass’ or ‘move into’ and indicates the passing of the sun, moon and other planets into a new zodiac orbit. Songkran is celebrated on April 13th every year. If you are in Thailand, you would find yourself … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Songkran Festival
VIDEO: Useful Phrases to Show You Care
Songkran long holiday has officially started today and many Thai people are traveling to celebrate the Thai New Year and see their families. Songkran is also the period when road accidents are occurring at the highest rate and this period between 9th – 15th April is referred by the police as the ‘Seven Dangerous Days’ of the New Year. Most accidents are caused by drunk driving … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Useful Phrases to Show You Care
VIDEO: How to Forbid & Give Warning
Songkran or Thai New Year is coming in a couple days. Besides all the major fun that is about to go on with the water fight, there are also some tips that have been given to the festival participants for their safety. We are going to talk about useful words that are used to make a command NOT to do something. :) 1. ห้าม hâam (forbid, prohibit) Pattern 1: " Someone … [Read more...] about VIDEO: How to Forbid & Give Warning
VIDEO: Say Them Right, Thai Long 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 vowels in Thai language, 14 of them are long vowels and 18 are short vowels Similar to pronouncing Thai tones, when the vowel changes the meaning changes too. So you should make sure you are saying a word … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Say Them Right, Thai Long Vowels
21 Interesting Facts About Thailand
Thailand’s name in the Thai language is Prathet Thai (ประเทศไทย), which means “Land of the Free". Thailand was actually called Siam throughout history; the name changed to Thailand in 1939. Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been colonised by a European nation. Thailand’s national language is called Thai, which many scholars believe is a form of … [Read more...] about 21 Interesting Facts About Thailand
Makha Bucha Day
Makha Bucha Day (วันมาฆบูชา) is a Buddhist holiday, which takes place annually on the night of the full moon during the third lunar month of the year. “Makha” is the Pali word for the third Lunar month, while “bucha” means to honor or to venerate. Since Makha Bucha is based on the lunar calendar, the date varies from year to year. This year Makha Bucha day is on 22 … [Read more...] about Makha Bucha Day
VIDEO: Eat Like A Thai 101
Understanding how Thai people eat provides a greater understanding of the food and people. Here are a few tips on how to eat like the Thais do. In the West, food is brought out in a certain order: Appetiser, Main Dish, and Dessert. In Thailand, there are really only two courses in a Thai meal: The food and the dessert. When I travel it also makes me think of the … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Eat Like A Thai 101
Chinese New Year in Thailand
Every year, many people in Thailand with Chinese ancestors which are called คนไทยเชื้อสายจีน /kon tai chúea-săai jiin/ (about 14% of the population of Thailand), celebrate the Chinese New Year which in Thai is called วันตรุษจีน (wan dtrùt jiin) with elaborate ceremonies. This year which is the Year of the Monkey (ปีวอก /bpii wâwk/) according to Chinese zodiac, Chinese New … [Read more...] about Chinese New Year in Thailand
10 Gifts You Shouldn’t Give to Your Loved One
Thai people are grown up with superstitious beliefs and taboos. Some are still believed to be true, and some are now used to tease friends. Giving a gift is a nice gesture but some items have negative meaning especially to your relationship. Here are 10 presents some Thai people might consider bringing bad luck; 1. Shoes รองเท้า /rawng - táao/ If you buy shoes for your … [Read more...] about 10 Gifts You Shouldn’t Give to Your Loved One
The Lake of Red Water Lilies – One of the World’s Strangest Lakes
Imagine rowing your boat through a sea of floating lotus flowers that expand as far as the eye can see. Dreamy? Yes, but also completely possible if you visit to one of the world's strangest lakes (according to CNN) in Northeastern Thailand (Isan, Esan). The Sea of Red Lotuses, or the Lake of Red Water Lilies or what local people call “Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake … [Read more...] about The Lake of Red Water Lilies – One of the World’s Strangest Lakes
VIDEO: 10 Most Popular Thai Slang of the Year!
[1] ฟิน /fin/ This word is derived from English word ‘finale’, in English this means the last part of an event, and it is usually ‘the best part’ and epic, right? So Thai people use ‘ฟิน FIN’ for describing a feeling that is ‘GREAT’ , or feeling awesome! [2] อิน in is also derived from English word ‘inner’ but Thai people use it as VERB means ‘feel emotional by … [Read more...] about VIDEO: 10 Most Popular Thai Slang of the Year!
Constitution Day
December 10th marks the Constitution Day, in Thai is "wan rat-ta-tam-ma-noon" (วันรัฐธรรมนูญ) which is held annually to commermorate the advent of the regime of Constitutional Monarchy in Thailand At the start of the 1930s, Thailand (then called '*สยาม Siam') was suffering economically from the effects of the great depression. The king at the time was Rama VII was seen by … [Read more...] about Constitution Day
VIDEOS: Thai for Tourists
These 12 basic Thai lessons cover common situations you might encounter as a tourist. Take some time to learn them and I am sure it will help your travel more enjoyable as you will have fun talking to Thai people or even make a new local friend. :) (Click the topic of the lesson to see more details) PLAYLIST: 1. VIDEO: When and How to Wai Properly 2. VIDEO: … [Read more...] about VIDEOS: Thai for Tourists
Father’s Day in Thailand
One of the most important days in Thailand is Father's day (วันพ่อแห่งชาติ, wan-pôr-hàng-châart) It is celebrated on December 5 which is the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา, wan-chà-lěrm-prá-chon-má-pan-săa), the monarch of Thailand. King's birthday is a national holiday and is celebrated all over the country. December 5, 2015 is the … [Read more...] about Father’s Day in Thailand
VIDEO: Take Care of Yourself
Thai useful expression that can be used in everyday conversation "take care of yourself" 'Take care' in Thai ดูแล duu-lae 'Oneself' is ตัวเอง dtua-eeng Take care of yourself is "ดูแลตัวเอง /duu-lae dtua-eeng/" When we tell someone to do something , the particle นะ ná is added to soften our statement and make you sound friendly. The complete sentence would be "ดูแลตัวเองนะ … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Take Care of Yourself
VIDEO: Giving Directions
This lesson you will be learning basic words for directions as well as how to ask for directions. It is useful to know words and phrases that will let you talk about going places, as well as understand what someone else says when giving simple directions. :) BASIC DIRECTIONS: ตรง /dtrong/ means straight ไป /bpai/ means go ตรงไป /dtrong bpai/ = go straight เลี้ยว … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Giving Directions
Loi Krathong Festival
Loi Krathong festival (ประเพณีลอยกระทง) is celebrated throughout Thailand. It takes place on the evening of the full moon night of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar which is a great flood season; it usually falls in November (พฤศจิกายน). The word ลอย /loi/ means ‘to float’ and Krathong กระทง /grà-tong/ is a small lotus-shaped floating receptacle.It could … [Read more...] about Loi Krathong Festival
VIDEO:Getting A Thai Massage
Video Script: Reception: สวัสดีค่ะ sà-wàt-dii kâ (Hello) Customer: ขอจองนวดไทย 90 นาที วันนี้ ตอน 5 โมงเย็นค่ะ kăw jawng nûad tai gâao-sìp naa-tii wan-níi dtawn hâa moong yen kâ (I would like to book a 90-minute Thai massage, today at 5 p.m. please.) Reception: ขอชื่อกับเบอร์โทรศัพท์ด้วยค่ะ kăw chûe gàp ber toe-rá-sàp dûai kâ (Can I have your name and phone number … [Read more...] about VIDEO:Getting A Thai Massage
VIDEO: Basic Comparisons
When forming a comparative sentence like A is bigger than B, we use this pattern: subject 1 + adjective/adverb + กว่า gwàa + subject 2 Script of the Role Play: Pear: เย็นนี้กินอะไรดี yen-níi gin à-rai dii? What shall we eat this evening? Mod: ไม่รู้อ่ะ mâi rúu à I don't know. Pear: อาหารญี่ปุ่่นดีมั้ย aa-hăan yîi-bpùn dii mái? Is Japanese food … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Basic Comparisons
My Top 9 Favourite Thai Restaurants in Bangkok
1. The Local by Oamthong Thai cuisine A 70 - year old house turned into a Thai heritage restaurant. I really like the traditional Thai atmosphere with history and culture beautifully painted on the walls, and the fact that I can enjoy my meal in the comfort of rattan chairs and a Thai silk cushion. (I don’t like restaurants with uncomfortable hard chairs) The … [Read more...] about My Top 9 Favourite Thai Restaurants in Bangkok
