Archive for 'Beginner'
15 Great Posts About Thailand and Thai Posted by sasha on Sep 10, 2014
We’re thrilled to be back online with the Thai Language and Culture blog after a couple of months off. I’m especially excited to write about Thailand and the language and culture of this fascinating country since I just booked a trip there for next month. This will be my fourth time visiting Thailand, and I’m…
How to use Peua and Sumrap Posted by palmisano on Mar 24, 2014
In Thai there are two different words which mean ‘for’, but they are used in slightly different ways. The first is peuaF เพื่อ, and the second is sumRrapL สำหรับ.
Why does Thailand have Three Different New Years? Posted by palmisano on Mar 13, 2014
Thailand is the only country I am aware of that has three national New Year’s celebrations per year. 1) The traditional Thai New Years is called Songkran (songR graanM สงกรานต์), the famous three day nationwide water fight. This is always mid-April. Thais will flock out of Bangkok to see family in the provinces, causing massive traffic…
The Many Sub-Languages of Thai Posted by palmisano on Feb 10, 2014
Thai is not just one language universally spoken in Thailand, but in fact there are many regional and local dialects, and yet more special manners of speaking given the situation. This article will list all the forms of Thai …
The Thai word for ‘to be’ Posted by palmisano on Nov 30, 2013
The Thai word เป็น bpenM is one of the most common words you’ll use in the language, and so is imperative that you understand it early on. It roughly translates to mean ‘to be’, similar to the Spanish word ‘ser’ for those who speak Spanish. เป็น describes a state of being, saying ‘this is the…
How to Become a Thai Monk: First Impressions and Daily Schedule, part 2 Posted by palmisano on Nov 29, 2013
[This article is a continuation of a series of articles on becoming a Thai Buddhist monk.] Reading Books While it wasn’t required of me, I felt I should try to study Buddhist teachings while I’m a monk. I read various literature and watched documentaries on Youtube. The book I really recommend is “Handbook for…
How to Become a Thai Monk: First Impressions and Daily Schedule, part 1 Posted by palmisano on Nov 27, 2013
I had internally imagined what life as a monk would be like long before becoming one. And after becoming one, my expectations were mostly the same. As you read this, keep in mind that monk life in the US is much more comfortable than in Thailand. The rules are a bit different, too, for practical…