Part IV Muay Thai by definition
Kick = teh
Box, boxing = chohke, vi tee chohke
Western, international = sargol
Western, international boxing = muay fah rung, muay sargol
Fah rung = white skin American, European
Origine (people) = charth
Different = tarng
Foreigner = kohn tarng charth
Boran = ancient
Fighting style, technique = muay
Thai = Thai people
Muay Thai = Thai's fighing style (in which hands, legs, knees and elbows are utilized). .
Begin (when the referee brings both fighters to middle of the ring) = chohke
Stop (when the referee wants both fighters to stop fighting in a clinch = yood
Part V Thailand: The Geography, The People, The Culture, Custom and Practice
Thailand = prathet Thai, muang Thai
Thai = free (literally)
Thai (people) = kohn Thai, pra char chon Thai
Part, section = parg
North = neour
South = teye
Mid = glarng
East = tar vun org
West = tar vun tohg
Northeast = ta vun org chiang neourr/isarn
Custom = thrum niam
Life = chee vith
Way = bpab
Of life = chee vith yoo(M1)
Thai way of life = chee vith yoo bpab pra char chon Thai
Language = par sar
Thailand official language = par sar Thai, par sar glarng
Northeastern language = Isarn (which is par sar Laos mixed par sar Thai)
The geography.
Thailand is about 200,000 square mile in size. Population 67 millions (2011) It consists of 6 parts which are the north, the south, the middle, the west, the east and the northeast (Isarn). Each part is then divided into provinces. There are 76 provinces. Thailand is hot. The weather is better in the South. Keep that in mind when choosing a gym. In the cities, there area more gyms with English speaking trainers. Whereas in the rural area, language barrier will be somewhat of a problem. The official language is Thai. In some parts of the country people speak a little differently, especially in Isarn.
For example:
Par sar Thai: Where are you going? = ja pai nai?
Isarn = Where are you going? = si pai sai?
The people.
Modern Thais are predominantly Thai with mixed races depending on the regions. In the South, there is Malayan, Muslim influence. In the east, lower part of Northeast, there is Khmer influence. To the North, there is Burmese influence. To the Northeast, there is Laos influence. And the Chinese's influence spreads throughout the country. There are strong Indian's influence in term of religion, food and art. In the old days territories were won and lost many times over. Some (adjacent) foreign languages and customs still exist until these days relative to the region. The Northeast or Isarn region has strong Laos influence. Thai and Laos languages are similar to begin with. Isarn was part of Laos once therefore the people and the culture of Isarn and Laos are basically the same. There is a subtle different in the Isarn language and the Laos though. Isarn language is Laos language with hint of par sar Thai. The Laos language is totally Laos.
Thai people generally nice, kind and proud people. As JWP puts it "they are nice until you make them angry." Thailand was spared from colonial rule and occupation. A little history may help you to understand it. Originated in Mongolia, the Tai migrated southward to escape the pressure of the Mongolean and the Chinese and settled in the area north of modern Bankok. During WW II Thailand was a neutral country, initially. It sided with the over-running Japanese forces, who needed access to Burma to fight the Brit. After WW II ended, as an Axis, Thailand was not occupied by Allied forces. The French took back Indochina from the Japanese. The Brit regained Burma. My guess is that through diplomatic moves and dealing with the American who saw the weakness of the French in Indochina. Later on, Thailand was ideal as American's military bases to counter the expansion of communism. The bases were instrumental in the bombing campaign of the Vietnam War.
The culture.
Thais are high on respect and politeness. Respect are given in many cases. Respect are taught at a young age to respect the elders, parents, the royal families, teachers, professors, military, police, government official, etc. Respect is shown through how one expressed himself/herself and the "wai gesture". How one expressing himself/herself and responding to other would give other people the impression/indication of what kind of person he or she is.
How to address self and other
Male = phohm (polite, respectful), chun (casual), raow, tua aing (general, neutral for either sex. Raow = myself, ourself, tua aing = myself). For example,
I'm from London = phohm mar jarg London (polite, respectful)
= chun mar jarg London (casual, among friend. Chun is not suited for addressing oneself when in company of the elder or person with high status such teacher, monk, or government official)
= raow mar jarg London (casual)
= tua aing mar jarg London (casual)
Female = Di chun, (chun, roaw, tua aing = casual among friend or to younger person). For example,
I'm here to learn Muay Thai = Di chun mar rien Muay Thai (polite, respectful)
= chun mar rien Muay Thai (casual, not suited for elder or high status person)
= raow mar rien Muay Thai (casual)
= tua aing mar rien Muay Thai (casual)
There are more ways but are rather rude. It's for the day to day, normal conversation. These are not recommended for foreigners. It must be mentioned because it's mainstream rather than teaching bad stuff. Sooner or later, you'll hear about it anyway.
I = goo (rude, tribal, for buddy or older to younger person talk)
You = meung (same as above)
I = kahr (acceptable, buddy talk)
You = gair (acceptable, buddy talk)
Dude, bloke, bro = ai (cannot stand by itself. Must be follow by a name (Ai Jack), not appropriate other than buddy, older to younger person talk)
Broad = ee (same as ai)
It's common (although not polite) for a dad/mom to use these terms with their son or daughter, friends among friends, between acquaintances or older person to younger person. Other than these exception, it's rather rude and impolite and could even be considered hostile and poor taste. For example:
I'm looking for ABC gym = phohm gum lung har ABC gym (polite)
= goo gum lung har ABC gym (rude, hopefully it doesn't get your butt kick or teeth knocked off for this or people will just ignore you, i.e noone wants to train you). Or you might get a respond like this:
Who the hell are you talking to me like this? = meung pen krai gun va mar pood gub goo bpab nee?
How to use prefixes (lacking a word here, anyway you'll get the idea)
Younger person must respect older person by adding a prefix to the name. Without beginning with a prefix, it's considered disrespectful to the elder.
Any older person, older brother, sister = p(M1)
Any younger person, younger brother, sister = nong(H2)
Boy, male = cheye (use when the person's name is unknown, or don't want to be specific)
Girl, female = ying
Older male, brother = p cheye
Older female, sister = p ying
Older person (male or female ) = p koohn (general term)
For example: how a young boy training at the gym would address an older male person:
John kicked very hard = John teh rahng jung (disrespectful and unacceptable. Either the boy get spanked or John never talk to the boy. The right thing to do as an elder is John must correct the boy)
= p John teh rahng jung (proper way, specific to John)
= p cheye teh rahng jung (proper, not specific person)
What about when you are not sure if the person is older or younger than you are? How do you wai? How do you address another person? For wai, if you are not sure, give it a benefit of the doubt and go with the higher hand position. For addressing another, go with a general term "koohn" which is very polite and acceptable. For example:
John, you are very fit = John ruub rarng khang rahng dee (it's actually fine for people around the same age, give or take a little)
= koohn John ruub rarng khang rahng dee (polite)
It is rather awkward to call someone younger P. Basically you are calling him/her big brother/big sister. Use the general term "koohn" when in doubt.
boss = neye
Boss, how long will you be gone? = koohn neye ja pai narn taow rai?
Mr. John, may i borrow your glove? = koohn John, kohr yeum naum dai mai krub/ka?
How you address yourself, other or respond to other is the indicator of what kind of person you are (well mannered, intelligent, educated). Improperly addressing yourself, other, or responding to other is an indication of being unrespectful, a low class, an uneducated person. It's always safe to use the polite method when in doubt.
How to answer or respond someone
Male = krub (meaning yes)
Female = ka (meaning yes)
= jar (meaning yes)
For example:
What is your name? = cheu a rai na? (casual, male speaker)
= cheu a rai na krub? (polite, respectly, male)
My name is Jenny = di chun cheu Jenny (classy, female)
= chun cheu Jenny (casual)
= raow cheu Jenny (casual)
For male speaker, never use female first person noun (di chun) to address himself or use ka for response. For example:
I'm John = phohm cheu John. Never use di chun instead of phohm.
I'm here because i love the beach = phohm mar nee por phohm chorb ta lay zeye krub. Never use ka instead of krub. The reason is it's gay (for a male )to do so.
How to address other
You = koohn (polite) (for either sex)
= ther (casual) (for either sex)
For example:
Who are you? = koohn pen krai? (polite)
= ther pen krai (casual)
What are you doing here? = koohn tum arai yoo tee nee? (polite)
= ther tum arai yoo tee nee? (casual)
How to refer to someone/something
He/she/him/her = kaow
It = mun
For example:
He/she doesn't know the language = kaow mai roo par sar
It was painful = mun jeb marg
How and when to wai
Wai = pay respect. When people meet each other, they wai. Wai is putting your hand together about chest high or forehead high depending on who you wai. The rule of thumb is if the person is younger than you, wai at chest high. If the person is older, the elder or buddha monk (older or younger than you), wai at forehead high. Wai should be returned or it would be like someone offer to shake hand and you ignore it. Normally you don't return wai from children. If you do, just go casually chest high. It'll be a good example for them.
Some Examples of What not to do
1. Don't use a foot for pointing
2. Don't touch someone's head
3. Don't walk over someone lying down
4. Don't insult the king. Jail time if caught.
5. Don't stare at someone
Custom and Practice
There are many. The touchy one is the double pricing (to foreigner).
Local farmers raise livestock and grow fruits and vegetables. They take them to the open market. It's a free enterprise. Pricing is base on supply and demand and competitor or lack of it. Often times there are no price tags. Prices are set (in mind) a little higher than what sellers want to sell. (Not everyone jacked up his prices). Always look around and compare prices. It's o.k to bargain even when there is a price tag.
Price = rar kar
Thank you = korb koohn
Bargain (cheap) = toog dee
Bargaining = thaw
How much is this? = rar kar taow rai krub/ka?
Can i bargain? = thaw dai mai krub/ka?
How much for 2 of these? = sum rub song un nee, taow rai ra krub/ka?
How much for all of these? = tung mohde nee, taow rai ra krub/ka?
Too expensive, no thank = pang marg, mai aow korb koohn krub/ka
Foreigners often times pay more than local Thais for the same item or service. Why is that?
It's so true but not always. It's the perception and reality that tourists have money to spend and are here to spend. You must bargain the price unless you feel it's fair. If you buy more often you'll get a better price. If you buy 2 or more, you'll get a better price. If bargaining doesn't work, go else where. It's not always possible to bargain though. You want to check out the fight at Lumpinee. There are dual pricings for local and non-local. Ticket pricing depends on the card. For example, local pays 250 barth for cheap seat. Non-Thai can't get the same cheap seat/price and pays 1000 - 2000 barth instead. Some foreigner complaints are bad seating area, i.e. obstructed view, cards aren't very good for admission charged, rowdy gamblers, too hot, etc. Fight at Lumpinee is not for everyone. Some people have been there and love it. Some people didn't.
Another example. You want to join a gym and find out the price is jacked up because you are a foreigner. You have to decide what you want first. Some things that you might want to consider are how is the facility/equipment, the trainers's experience, quality of training, living condition/acomodation, convenience factor(traffic if you live off the gym), activities when not training, food, english communication, tourist trap factor, distraction (lots of partying venues), pricing compared to other parts of the country, etc. Shop around and compare. Do a one-day session and talk to other foreigners training there to find out more about each gym.
Dual pricing practice is a reality in Thailand. There are positive things as well. In many cases, prices ‬are way below Western standard for example an apartment, taxi ride or a meal. You have to look at the bigger, overall picture and not just a few bad experiences. It is what it is. Exercise your right as a buyer/payer. Shop around and compare.
Vocabulary
Don't know = mai(H2) roo(H2)
Don't see = mai hehn(H4)
Don't have = mai mee
Cannot = mai deye(H2)
Police = tum ruaj
Talk = pood
Buy = zeur
Sell = keye
Bar = bar
Beer = beer
Whiskey = laow
Food = ar harn
Drink = kreurng deum
Watch = do
Movies = nuhng, parp pra yohwn
Music = plang
Radio = vithayoo
TV = tv
Channel = chohng
