Thailand Voice

(The crime scene of almost every Farang ‘murder’ in Pattaya – the infamous Pattaya hotel balcony) As a Farang in Thailand we have all heard some of the most laughable quack-wack Thailand myths: ladyboys who have coaxed clients back to their rooms only to drug ‘em and cut out …

Even for those who have never stepped a foot in the Land of Noodle Soup & Nose Jobs, chances are they’ve heard some classic Thailand myth worthy of an editorial column in the most sensational European tabloid. So worthy actually, …

On reading the title, most of you are probably wondering “Who the heck is she?” Well, she was one of Thailand’s most well-known farang names during the early to mid 1990’s; a name that was highly controversial, but in the stupidest way possible (She even has her very own Wikipedia entry). So, who was…

(The following is a brief Thai> English translation from various local news sources) Customers at Melody Karaoke, in the close vicinity of Prachacheurn Police Station, were originally charged an astonishing 30,000 Baht for 3 hours of karaoke. Charges included 100 Baht for a…

People are already planning their holidays in Thailand for 2010 and so we thought we would help out by letting you know the dates of the main events and holidays. I know so many people keep asking “When is Loy Krathong…

During the school holidays in Thailand, it is common for Thai students to ordain as novice monks for a short time. In the olden days, before there were government schools, poor boys would ordain in order to get an education. However, these days, their parents want them to ordain for a short time during…

In this photo taken Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, a billboard showing Adolf Hitler saluting is erected in the middle on a highway in the resort town of Pattaya, Chonburi province southeastern Thailand. The Thai language on the billboard said, ‘Hitler is not dead,’ had been up for several weeks on the main road and…

A Gallery by Kittisak Butdeewong Fortunately, I have had the opportunity recently, for the second time, to assist a good friend of mine, artist, Kittisak Butdeewong with most of the Thai> English language preparations for his latest gallery. Kittisak, hailing from the north-eastern rural province …

How come no charges of lese-majeste have been filed against these two? Here are another 20 amazing Thailand facts as compiled over on the ThailandQA.com Forums. You can see the other facts already posted by clicking here. Most of them were compiled by myself, but for the ones not, the name is in …

Many activities will be held both in Bangkok and the provinces to celebrate the 8th cycle or the 96th birthday anniversary of His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch, from late September to the end of October 2009. The Supreme Patriarch will turn 96 on October 3. For Thai people, the…

The Ministry of Culture has planned many cultural activities to promote Thai culture and stimulate confidence in Thailand among international tourists and investors. Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch said that Thailand, in the eyes of in the world community, is a land of peace and that Thai people are generous and apply…

(The following is a brief Thai> English translation from various local news sources) At 10 in the morning of 24 September, Mr Sanan, administrative chief of Phatthalung province was in charge of perhaps the first ever televised wedding between endangered Sakai people. The Sakai is an indigenous tribe who live …

Hardly a week goes without someone sending me an email out of the blue via www.thai-blogs.com . Very often it’s just an old friend/acquaintance of mine whose found me blogs by chance, then occasionally an email concerning an old blog of mine. Rarely, however, do I get an email as touching as…

This is continuing my interview with Peter Robinson, who is probably better known in Thailand as “Phra Farang”, the foreign monk. (Click here for part one.) Peter spent ten years as a monk before finally disrobing in order to spend more time with…

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva at the launch party of TAN Network (Thai-Asean News Network), TAN is Thailand only 24 hours English language news channel. (manager.co.th) More Thailand pictures can be found at www.ThaiPhotoBlogs.com .

Currently docked at Klong Toey Port, the MV Doulos, is visiting Thailand again and welcoming all bookworms until August 23rd 2009. The MV Doulos is the world’s oldest active ocean-going passenger vessel, according to Guinness World Records. She was built in 1914. Doulos has …

The www.ethaimusic.com website started out as a way for people to learn the Thai language. We have a popular website at www.learningthai.com for people wanting to learn the Thai language. So we were always on the lookout for new ways for people to learn the language. Listening to …

The following are national days in Thailand though none of them are celebrated as public holidays. National Children’s Day – 2nd Saturday of January วันเด็กแห่งชาติ (Wan Dek Haeng Chat) Widely celebrated, especially by governmental agencies, with many activities for children. Observed on this day since 1965; was observed on …

In Thailand, July 29th every year is celebrated as National Thai Language Day. However, a recent poll showed that 85.3 per cent of people surveyed in Bangkok and its neighbouring provinces were not aware of Thai language day. The survey also revealed some shocking results. According to the poll, 84.9 per cent of people …

If you want to keep up-to-date with the latest happenings in Thailand or need to do some research on a particular aspect of Thai life or culture, then try our popular website at www.ThaiBlogSearch.com . As well as giving a list of all the latest articles …

The largest network of English language websites about Thailand is our very own Paknam Web Network . We have been making websites since 1997 and twelve years later we are still going strong. What amazes many people is that we are still very much family friendly. We don’t talk about the …

Respect for the Law (Click here for part one) From the age of just two and half months, toddler Tui can enjoy the thrills and sprills of being sat on his father’s motorbike and admire the awesome way his father manages…

“He fought like a man so he could become a woman” – Still from the Thai movie Beautiful Boxer Thailand here has many-a glorious site to feast ones eyes on, besides just a million temples, two million taxis and three million noodle soup stalls we have the one…

THAI TAKES By PHILIP GOLINGAI IF YOU had ever wanted to slap Sondhi Limthongkul, the co-leader of the yellow-shirted movement that gained international notoriety when it shut down Bangkok’s two airports last year, now’s your chance. “Slap my face with your shoes… Read full story >>>

This stands out from newspaper reports of the Tak Bai decision acquitting the security officials as The Nation reports :* Officials were also cleared of any wrongdoing as they were acting under the Emergency Decree. The Section 17 of the decree stated officials couldn’t … Read full story >>>

What does science have to say about the most effective way to learn Thai (or any language)? I am writing on behalf of Lanta International Language School , a Thai language school located on Koh Lanta, a small island along the west … Read full story >>>

The Quick and Dirty Guide to Learning Languages Fast… A little over a week after launching Women Learn Thai , I wrote my first book review, The Quick and Dirty Guide to Learning Languages Fast . But I didn’t just review A. G. Hawke’s book, I followed his instructions (to a point). Getting help from my … Read full story >>>

Last month, Bowornsak Uwanno had a 3 part article defending lese majeste law in the Bangkok Post ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) – the Thai language version was in Matichon and dutifully reprinted by the men in green. BP had planned a long reply, but well then a day or so later the red shirts … Read full story >>>

Naming names in Thai language learning… When I first started learning Thai, the same names kept coming up: Mary Haas , Shoichi Iwasaki, Preeya Ingkaphirom, David Smyth , James Higbie , J. Marvin Brown , John Moore, Joe Cummings , Stuart Campbell, Denis Segaller , Chuan Shaweevongs, Christopher G. Moore , Dr. Paul Pimsleur, Benjawan Poomsan Becker , and Rikker … Read full story >>>

Reading another of Ben’s excellent language tips has finally spurred me into posting tips of my own. Learning and speaking Thai is one of the most enjoyable aspects of living in Thailand. At times it can be one of the … Read full story >>>