Songkran is Coming Soon

I just finished the long conversation with my mom on the phone a few minutes ago. She said around where my hometown is (Tak province), it is so freaking hot! Yesterday it was 40 Celsius and today’s around 39 Celsius, hmm…just almost 40. Well I have to convert to Fahrenheit because now I’m not that used to Celsius system much. OMG…40 Celsius = 102.2 Fahrenheit.

Extremely hot in Thailand like this makes me think about the very important holiday for Thai people known as “Songkran”, that is coming soon. Songkran festival was the Thai New Year in the past before they moved into international day January 1st like anywhere else in the world. Songkran was specifically on the Thai calender on April 13th - 15th every year.

Most people they knew the symbol of this tradition just for splashing water on others. Not many of them know about the most significant activities is all about to do good things like offering food to the monks, releasing birds and fishes, donating, visiting and paying respects to elders, family members, friends and neighbors. It shows about spirit, love, and care between family members together.

So many residents who are living in Bangkok, will go back to their hometown to celebrate with their families. So that’s why Thai government has set on April 14th every year to be family day in Thailand. Let say it is just like Christmas Day for American people I think.

Water has been a representation for Songkran, against the hotness from the weather. The splashing of water originated as a way to pay respect, ask for blessing or apologize to an elderly person about an insult. This will be done by gently pouring a small amount of lustral water on the elderly hands or over a shoulder as a sign of respect we call “Rod Nam Dam Hua”. But for young people mostly will be splashing water, we call “Sard Nam” and this has further evolved into water fights and splashing water over people riding in vehicles.

Usually for me I wouldn’t go back to Tak on this season because it will be so frustrated situation with a thousand of people at the bus station or any of transportation service. I always told my parents I would be happy to go back anytime at all but not on Songkran. So anyone of you please keep in mind if you want to travel somewhere for Songkran, just need to go like a week or two weeks ahead and also make a reservation first. So I prefer to stay in Bkk because no need to worry about traffic at all. Well, except for some places in Bkk where they’re going to celebrate like Kao Sarn Rd., Silom Rd., and Sukhumvit area, traffic can be worse.

You can get more information about “Songkran” here at Songkran.net and then you will get some idea Songkran this year where in Thailand I want to go!

Popularity: 6% [?]

Chicken Tandoori - Thai Girl Style

Part of the population in Thailand is Muslim people…especially in Southern Thailand. In around where my high school is we have a lot of Muslim people who live there and when I was young one of my best friends was Muslim too. So that’s why make me used to Muslim food so much. Read more

Popularity: 10% [?]

Thailand to Start Hacking Foreign Websites

I can’t believe that the Thai government would condone such illegal tactics, but this report from the Thai language newspaper Krungthep Turaij seems to indicate just that. I hope that I never come under the watchful eye of the ICT and this is just one more reason that I try to steer away from subjects that might be considered controversial by Thai standards.

I will agree that the websites they are targeting that are disrespectful to Buddhism are in poor taste, however I can’t agree with the hacking of ANY sites or the censorship of free speech and the internet. Considering the state of Thailand’s neighbor you would think that they would be more sensitive to censorship.

The Information and Communications Technology Ministry is to ‘hack and crack’ foreign websites deemed offensive to Thailand’s revered institutions.

A March 15 report in Krungthep Turakij newspaper quoted a source at the ICT that the ministry could pursue legal proceedings only with websites registered in Thailand, and is now planning a ‘hack and crack’ programme to hack offensive websites hosted abroad and delete their contents, because the legal process would take too long.

“This approach may be somewhat illegal, but sometimes it might be worth it, if [the websites] are really unacceptable,” the source said.

One website registered abroad has been found to advertise merchandise including calendars, dolls, bags, hats, glasses, watches, trousers and underwear, all with a logo of the Buddha meditating on a lotus, with the face of a dog. It was reported to have upset many Buddhists.

On March 14, ICT Minister Mun Patanotai said that he had called a meeting of investigators from the Department of Special Investigation, and Crime Suppression Division, and the ‘ICT cops’. ICT Minister’s Secretary Sarawuth Petchpanomporn was assigned to coordinate the collection of evidence and ask the courts to block websites and prosecute owners who, if inside the country, are subject to fines and imprisonment under the 2007 Computer Crime Act.

If the offense is committed abroad, the Minister admitted that there were difficulties. However, the Ministry has so far asked for cooperation from the authorities in each country or website administrators themselves, who have cooperated in solving the problems or delete offensive material, particularly concerning Thailand’s ‘supreme institution’.

“The ministry has 30 so-called ICT cops, so it is difficult to keep a thorough watch. We still have to rely on net surfers or webmasters to help, to solve the problem or notify the ministry of any irregularities,” Man said.

Acting Director Booncherd Kittitharangkul of the Office of National Buddhism’s Technology Centre said that on hearing the news he felt uneasy, and believed that it upset all Buddhists across the country.

The Technology Centre has found that the website has its server in California, USA, and the centre has twice asked the ICT Ministry in writing to shut down the website, but it is still online. The centre has also asked the Foreign Ministry’s Information Department to address the problem through diplomatic means.

“If within one month the problem is still not solved, I will ask for cooperation from ‘internet cop’ Pol Col Yanapol Yangyuen, Commander of Office of Technology and Information Cases under the Department of Special Investigation, to shut it down,” said Booncherd. He added that his centre has cooperated with relevant agencies in shutting down 5 similar websites which made commercial use of Buddhist symbols.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Thai Love Phrases

Lots of you come to Thailand Musings looking for Thai love phrases and that’s not surprising. You want to be able to express yourself in your new friends native language and that’s a really good thing. It help you to understand the culture a little better and it gives her a really good feeling too. By learning some Thai language she knows that you are more committed and that you are interested in her culture.

When Golf and I first met and started chatting on Thai Love Links I struggled to find a good resource for Thai language. I didn’t need to become proficient, but I wanted to be able to express my feelings for her in a way I knew she would understand and I wanted her to know that I cared for her so much that I was willing to take the time to learn her language.

So, for those of you that want or need to speak the language of love in Thai here’s a small dictionary of Thai love phrases that are sure to impress and excite your new Thai girlfriend. I guarantee she will be amazed and impressed. If you’re having trouble with pronunciation you can ask her for help too which will help to make your relationship more concrete.

 

Beginning Your Relationship

I am single. (pom yung sot)

You are very beautiful. (koon suay mak mak)

You are very cute. (koon na-ruk mak mak)

I like your smile. (pom chorp roi yim kong koon)

Can I see you tomorrow? (proong nee jer gun dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”

Are you free tonight? (keun nee koon wang mai) - For yes the reply is “wang” and for no the reply is “mai wang”

Do you like me? (koon chorp pom reu blao) - For yes the reply is “chorp” and for no the reply is “mai chorp”

Can you go out with me? (bai tee-o gup pom dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”

Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? (koon mee faen reu yung) - For yes the reply is “me” and for no the reply is “yung mai mee”

What kind of men do you like? (koon chorp poo-chai bap nai)

Can you tell me your phone number please? (kor ber tor koon dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”

Do you want to go and eat with me? (bai gin kao gub pom mai) - For yes the reply is “bai” and for no the reply is “mai bai”

Do you want to go to watch a movie? (bai doo nung gup pom mai) - For yes the reply is “bai” and for no the reply is “mai bai”

Your eyes are so beautiful. (duang dtar kong koon suay mak)

Can I hold your hand? (pom kor jub meu koon dai mai?)

Have a nice dream. (fun dee na)

Take care of yourself. (do lae dtua eng duay na)

 

Taking it to the Next Level

Love at first sight. (ruk raek pop)

I still remember the first moment we met. (pom yung jum krang-raek tee row pob gun dai)

I want you to be happy. (pom dtong gan hai koon mee kwarm sook)

You make me happy. (koon tam hai pom mee kwarm sook)

I miss you. (pom kit teung koon)

I miss you all the time. (pom kit-teung koon dta-lod way-la)

Can you be my girlfriend? (ben faen gub pom dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”

You are my girlfriend. (koon ben fan kong pom)

You are my sweetheart. (koon keu yot -ruk kong pom)

You are the one I have been waiting for. (koon bpen kon dieow tee pom ror koi)

I am serious about you. (pom jing jai gup koon)

I think about you all night. (pom kit teung koon tung keun)

I want to meet you. (pom dtong-gan/yaak pop koon)

I want to hug you. (pom dtong-gan/yaak got koon)

Can I kiss you? (pom kor joop koon dai mai)

I want to be with you. (pom yaak yoo gup koon)

Do you miss me? (koon kit teung pom baang mai)

I won’t forget you. (pom ja mai leum koon)

When do you want me to come back? (koon dtong gan hai pom glup ma muea rai)

 

When You’re Ready to Marry Your Thai Girlfriend

I think I have fallen in love with you. (pom kit wa pom long ruk koon) / (pom kit wa pom dtok loom ruk koon)

My heart is yours. (hua jai kong pom ben kong koon)

You are my angel. (koon keu nung fa kong pom)

I love you. (pom ruk koon)

I will be faithful to you. (pom ja seu-sut dtor/gub koon)

I don’t want to let you go. (pom mai dtong-gan hai koon bai)

Can I meet your parents? (pom ja bai pob por gub mae kong koon dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”

I want to see your face every day. (pom yaak hen na koon took wan)

I want to marry you. (pom dtong-gan dtang ngan gub koon)

I can’t live without you. (pom yoo mai dai ta mai mee koon)

 

If There’s Trouble

I hope I can see you again. (pom wang wa ja dai pob koon eek-krang)

Can you give me one more chance? (hai aow-gat pom eek-krang dai mai) - For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”

I will never cheat on you (pom ja mai nork jai koon)

Your love is very important to me. (kwarm ruk kong koon sam kun dtor/sam-rap pom mak)

Please speak to me. (dai brot poot gup pom)

You hurt me so much. (koon tam pom jep-bpuat mak)

Please trust me. (brot chuea jai pom)

I want you to trust me. (pom dtong gan hai koon chuea jai pom)

I never lied to you. (pom mai koie gor hok koon)

Don’t leave me. (ya ting pom)

I will always be on your side. (pom ja yoo kiang-kang koon sa-mer)

Obviously this is not complete, but it will give you a great start and if possible get your Thai girlfriend to help you expand on your vocabulary. If you’re interested in more Thai language guides leave a comment telling me what you need to know and I’ll do my best to put together additional guides. And if you want to hear the phrases maybe I can get Golf to record them and we’ll post them up here. As always, I’m here to help in anyway, just leave a comment and ask.

Popularity: 30% [?]

Thailand Musings 2.0

Hi everyone and welcome to the new design of Thailand Musings! I know my posts have dropped off in the past two weeks and it has been due to all the work I have been putting into this new design. And now finally it’s done! Read more

Popularity: 5% [?]

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