Thai 101 (in English)

I'm quickly learning that many people are quite well educated here. And despite the stigma attached to Thailand, many of these people are women working service positions - many with college degrees.

Just like in America - these 20-somethings are overeducated and underpaid.















Although she is not college educated, Thipjuta is among the most impressive people I've met here thus far. She spent at least two hours explaining, in great detail, the many ways to interchange nouns, conjugate and speak the masculine and feminine forms of the Thai language. She even made me a cheat sheet.

Thanks to her - it's not as difficult as it appeared. Her huge smile made it all that less intimidating. But that doesn't mean it's easy.

Here's some to get you started:

Pom - Me
Lao - Us
Kun - You
Kao - Them

Good morning/Hello - So-waat dee krap
What is your name? - Khun chue a-rai krab
My name is__ - Phom chue
How are you? - khun sai-bai dee mai krab
I'm fine/not fine - pom sai bai dee/ Mai koiy sa-baio

That's more than enough for now. Well maybe one more:

Chok dee krab!! (Good luck)