Thai Language

Floating Market

Thai Language

Now that we have established we are in Phuket, Thailand, maybe we should have a go at the Thai language. Amazingly, on this beautiful tropical island, there never seems to be a shortage of this life-sustaining commodity. It is a highly regarded and respected part of every day life and therefore seems appropriate to begin with NAHM (water) and its associated links. NAHM PLAO (literally means water-empty, or plain water).

Many liquids use the word NAHM, the following being a few examples :-

NAHM KENG (ice)

NAHM MAN RUT (petrol)

NAHM BPLAH (fish sauce)

NAHM MAN PEUT (cooking oil)

NAHM MAN MA PRAO (coconut oil)

NAHM MA PRAO (coconut water)

NAHM KA-TI (coconut milk for use, for example, in curry sauce)

NAHM TAN (sugar: not quite following the rules, but it is put into liquid)

NAHM SOM KHAN (orange juice)

NAHM MA-NAO (lemon juice)

NAHM DENG (red Sprite)

NAHM KEO (green Sprite)

NAHM SOM (orange drink)

NAHM TALAY (sea)

NAHM HORNG (toilet)

There are many more words including the word (NAHM)

but the words above are the most useful.

The next word, essential to 'get by' in Thailand is KRAP,

usually causing a titter amongst English speaking visitors

but probably the most important word in Thai language.

The word changes according to whether it is used by a man or a woman.

KRAP would be used only by a man

and the equivalent KA used by the woman.

It has several meanings including, thank you, please, ok and sir

and is added out of politeness, to most sentences.

It's most common use is in greetings.

SAWADEE KRAP (hello, goodbye, good morning, good afternoon, good evening)

the phrase would often be followed by SABI DEE MAI (how are you),

which would be answered SABI DEE KRAP (I am fine, thank you)

KORP KOON KRAP (thank you)

Remember that each time the word KRAP is used the female would use the word KA.

Basic numbers are also useful to know

:- NEUNG (one) SONG (two) SAAM (three) SEE (four) HAA (five) HOCK (six) JET (seven) BPET (eight) GAO (nine) SIP (ten)

Sitting at a Cafe: Sawadee Krap (Ka), (reply: Sawadee krap (Ka), Sabai dee mai?,(reply: Sabai dee krap (ka) Beer Singha Song Koo-ut, (Koo-ut means bottle) Krap (Ka). Nahm plao neung koo-ut, krap (ka) When the drinks arrive: Korp koon krap (Ka) : Thank you Upon leaving: Sawadee krap (ka): goodbye Congratulations, you have just ordered and enjoyed two Singha Beers and a bottle of water.

The beachbum