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…

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…

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 …

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…

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…

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 …

“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…

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 >>>

Quite a while back Monsoon Books contacted us here at www.thai-blogs.com and asked whether we were interested in reviewing one of their books about ladyboys. Since that isn’t exactly Richard’s cup-of-tea, the task was with me. Just looking …

Here we are again, it's time to lead you all astray and infect you with my bad Thai language skills. I'm a little nervous as I know lots of people who are a lot better at speaking Thai than myself may read these … Read full story >>>

Thai resources on Google Books… As what usually happens when blogging, one subject leads to another. For instance, this week I posted about Mary Haas Thai-English Student’s Dictionary in Bangkok . And then, after a suggestion made in the comments (thanks Aksara Anwa Akson Thai ), I was led to create a post on … Read full story >>>

The top 100 Thailand blogs: accept no imitation… Matt Crook, formerly of Thailand and now of East Timor, is the writer/blogger for The Lost Boy . One lost boy wandering aimlessly, fighting the tanks, looking at the ladyboys, running round the city. This is a 24-year-old expat’s take of life in the City … Read full story >>>

Getting serious about learning Thai… There is a rumour going around about several must have resources for the serious Thai language learner. Not that I have gone into serious mode or anything, but I am curious about design and transliteration styles. I also… Read full story >>>

There is a lot to digest and discuss in Crispin’s latest article entitled ” My friend is my enemy in Thailand”: Have removed the background information (but if you not familiar with all aspects you should have a read). Key excerpts: Diplomats familiar with the situation say that UDD co-leader Veera… Read full story >>>

(I had to have a go with the python, two ten year olds were daring me). Bung Chawak Zoo, Suphanburi, great day out in the country. Last weekend we had a visitor over from England as well as a friend of the family from… Read full story >>>

Bangkok Taxi Drivers… Just so’s you don’t have to wade to the bottom of this post to see… I have a fondness for (most) Bangkok taxi drivers. I mean, just recently I was driven around for 300 bht worth and had a thrill of a time… Read full story >>>

(The following blog is a brief/rough translation of a leading report published in the Thai language Daily News newspaper, May 3) Unbelievable! Hi-so websites now online full of young women with gorgeous bodies, long hair, really fair-skin who boast they come from well-to-do hi-class families are now…

In Sondhi L’s interview the other day with Nation Weekend, he stated in relation to a question about the attempt to kill him that he would “expose the lady who appears in images to be close to the palace” (คือผมไปเปิดโปงสุภาพสตรีคนหนึ่ง ซึ่งในภาพแสดงออกว่าเป็นคนใกล้ชิดเบื้องพระยุคลบาท). BP: Note his effort to distance this person from the … Read full story >>>

What to do with your guests, lah?… When guests arrive for a few days of sightseeing in Thailand, what do you do? Knowing that not everyone has been created equal in the foreign language department, do you… Shove them out … Read full story >>>