Elephant Polo: The Biggest, Weirdest, Slowest, and Most Expensive Game in Thailand Yes, before you ask, elephant polo is played on the back of an elephant. The price tags associated with elephant polo are massive as the elephants themselves. The only thing small about elephant polo is the circuit on which it is played. It includes only three countries, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and … [Read more...] about Elephant Polo in Thailand
Living in Thailand
Wat Arun “the Temple of Dawn”
Sawatdee ka, Today I took a boat along the Chao Praya River to a market in Nontaburi province. I passed Wat Arun (วัดอรุณ) or the Temple of Dawn, and I couldn't help myself take a photo of this beautiful temple as if I was a tourist seeing it for the first time. Wat Arun is one of Bangkok's best know landmark. It stands on the west bank of the Chao Praya River in Thon … [Read more...] about Wat Arun “the Temple of Dawn”
Thai Traditional Wedding Ceremony – symbolic doors
Barring the Groom from approaching the Bride (พิธีกั้นประตู) In order for the wedding to continue, the groom must bring the bride from her room to join him for the engagement ceremony. However, before this can happen, the groom must successfully pass through a number of obstacles that are put in the groom’s way by the bride’s family. These symbolic “doors” can only be … [Read more...] about Thai Traditional Wedding Ceremony – symbolic doors
Learn Thai – Sepak Takraw
Sawatdii ka, Do you know Sepak Takraw? Last Satureday I saw a group of taxi motorcycle riders in my soi playing Sepak Takraw on the side of the street, so I thought I needed to find out more about this and share in my blog. Sepak Takraw (เซปักตะกร้อ) was created by the royal family of Malaysia about 500 years ago. The name itself comes from two languages. Sepak is "kick" … [Read more...] about Learn Thai – Sepak Takraw
Speak like a Thai – Polite particle ‘jâ’
Sawatdii kâ, Thai language has a lot of polite particles. Today I would like to talk about the polite particle "jâ" (falling tone) จ้ะ. "jâ" used by adult male&femail speakers at the end of a statement when speaking to children and people of inferior status; between males and females denotes anything from easy familiarity to 'sweet talk'; between females signals 'best … [Read more...] about Speak like a Thai – Polite particle ‘jâ’
Chinese New Year in Thailand
Sawatdii ka, One of the important festivals in Thailand is coming up soon, Chinese New Year. (Wan trut jiin) วันตรุษจีน Every year, many people in Thailand with Chinese ancestors, celebrate the Chinese New Year with elaborate ceremonies. This year which is the year of the rabbit starts on February 3, 2011. It is the tradition that every family thoroughly cleans the house to … [Read more...] about Chinese New Year in Thailand
Requests for information
Hi everyone, Basic reuests for information can be prefaced by "kŏr-tôot " (excuse me) However, please always remind yourself to use polite particle for politenessas below: "kŏr-tôot kráp" for males. "kŏr-tôot kâ" for females. Example: kŏr-tôot kráp/kâ, hôrng-nám yùu tîi-năi kráp/ ká ขอโทษครับ/ค่ะ ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหนครับ/คะ Excuse me, Where is the … [Read more...] about Requests for information