Okay, I've always seen English as a playful language, so bear with me here...
I've realized that like most of my "falang" friends here in Thailand, some Thai words have started bleeding into my everyday English. Some are useful, others are inside jokes, and some are just funny.
I'm not sure what to call this bastardized hybrid pidgin of English and Thai - I'm still undecided between Thaigrish (Thai/Engrish) and Thaikrit ("Phasa Angkrit" - Thai for English language)?
I will from time to time incorporate this into my writing, and if you're having trouble following, you can use this page for reference. Those living in Thailand or those who have spent some time here will likely not require this guide. I will keep updating this post as I add new Thaikrit words.
Sawatdee - Hello, Good morning, Good evening, Goodbye. use: Sawatdee Khrap/Kah
Khrap/Kah - Male/Female article for politeness, can also mean "Yes", or "I'm paying attention." This word is so useful, and if you master it's use you can easily bullshit someone into believing you can understand Thai.
Chai/Mai Chai - Yes, Not Yes
Farang/Falang - Foreigner
Lek/Yai - Small/Large, used for ordering beer, pointing out sizeable breasts, or talking about your penis.
Si daeng - Red
Si tohng - Gold
Si dam - Black
Si kao - White
Jur gen mai - Informal goodbye between friends i.e. Jur gen mai na khrap/kah
Hoppa! - Slang for shut up.
Arai/Alai khrap? - Formal, Sorry what was that?
Arai/Alai nah? - Informal, What did you say?
Arai/Alai wah? - Crude, What the fuck did you say?
0 soon
1 neung
2 sowng
3 saam
4 see
5 ha - Sidenote: 555 is pronounced ha ha ha, and is used as a replacement for lol.
6 hok
7 jet
8 paed
9 kao
10 sip
I'll keep updating this list as more words filter into my writing.
Tuesday 15 November 2011
Tuesday 25 October 2011
Prelude to Full Moon Party
This has been a good week. Found employment in the area, but due to the floods I will only be starting in a few weeks. I thought I'd take this time to head down south, check out the islands.
Girlfriend and I head down to the central train station in Bangkok, Hua Lamphong Railway Station. We arrived late as per usual, and ended up missing the last train to Surat Thani. Luckily we are guided to a travel agent on the second floor, and managed to secure bus tickets.
We take a Tuk-tuk to Khaosan, and after an hour or so of waiting, we get on the bus headed south.
We travel overnight, but it's a long trip. I'm not the only one nipping down into the bathroom for a sneaky cigarette.
It's almost 6am as we arrive on the coast, at a small little pier close to Chumporn. The sun will be rising soon...
I crack open a Singha and light up a marlboro as we wait for the ferry to the island...
Girlfriend and I head down to the central train station in Bangkok, Hua Lamphong Railway Station. We arrived late as per usual, and ended up missing the last train to Surat Thani. Luckily we are guided to a travel agent on the second floor, and managed to secure bus tickets.
We take a Tuk-tuk to Khaosan, and after an hour or so of waiting, we get on the bus headed south.
We travel overnight, but it's a long trip. I'm not the only one nipping down into the bathroom for a sneaky cigarette.
It's almost 6am as we arrive on the coast, at a small little pier close to Chumporn. The sun will be rising soon...
 |
| Chumporn Thungmakhamnoi Pier |
Monday 3 October 2011
Time to head home...
After a few hours at Aloha, it's almost time to head home.
I head back to the House of Rock for a few hours, and watched the bands get their gig on.
Back to the Merlin lodge to retrieve the luggage, and then a late night taxi to Rangsit via the expressway.
Rangsit is in the Pathum Thani province, just outside Bangkok proper. It's greener, quieter, and has a lot less pollution. Arrive at my humble little apartment in Khlong Song (that's Khlong 2 remember?) just in time to pass out on the hard coconut mattress. Hmmm... I need to get a new bed.
Good night.
I head back to the House of Rock for a few hours, and watched the bands get their gig on.
Back to the Merlin lodge to retrieve the luggage, and then a late night taxi to Rangsit via the expressway.
Rangsit is in the Pathum Thani province, just outside Bangkok proper. It's greener, quieter, and has a lot less pollution. Arrive at my humble little apartment in Khlong Song (that's Khlong 2 remember?) just in time to pass out on the hard coconut mattress. Hmmm... I need to get a new bed.
Good night.
Aloha Blues
After the fine dining experience, it's time to chill out, so after consulting my little book of Bangkok, I head down to Soi 22. You might want to grab a motorcycle taxi, as we're going quite far down the road. Keep an eye out to the left, and you will see the Aloha cafe.
It's a cozy little bar in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. What makes this bar unique, is that it can be whatever you want it to be.
As you walk inside you will notice, to your left, a rather large collection of music dvd's.
If you're in the mood for some Stevie Ray Vaughan, put on some Double Trouble. In the mood for Deftones, how about White Pony? Iron Maiden? Rock in Rio.
There is also a dartboard if you feel like challenging the seasoned pro's that hang out here.
It's definitely a great way to spend a Sunday.
It's a cozy little bar in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. What makes this bar unique, is that it can be whatever you want it to be.
As you walk inside you will notice, to your left, a rather large collection of music dvd's.
If you're in the mood for some Stevie Ray Vaughan, put on some Double Trouble. In the mood for Deftones, how about White Pony? Iron Maiden? Rock in Rio.
There is also a dartboard if you feel like challenging the seasoned pro's that hang out here.
It's definitely a great way to spend a Sunday.
Fine sunday dining... Crepes & Co.
I eventually emerged from my room at the Merlin about 15 minutes before check out time.
After a quick cup of coffee, I asked Ken to store my bags and went out in search of some brunch.
I could've eaten at the Merlin, but I felt like experiencing some of Bangkok's haute cuisine.
As usual, I consulted my pre-arrival research and my stomach concluded that I should head down to Soi Sip-Song (Soi 12). So onto the BTS we go, for a quick trip down to the Asoke station, leave via Exit 2. Head down Soi 12 for about 10 minutes (or even better, grab a motorcycle), and you'll find yourself at the entrance of Crepes & Co.
As I arrived I was greeted by the manager, a french ex-pat who is fluent in an array of languages, not limited to English, French, Dutch and Thai. Not having made a reservation, I was steered towards a waiting area as my table was being prepared. The hostess brought over an amazingly comprehensive wine menu, with wines hailing from France, Italy, California, Chile, Australia and South Africa.
Having quite the penchant for wine from Stellenbosch, I was elated to find a 2008 Simonsig Chenin Blanc on the menu, and promptly indulged.
I declined to pick up a newspaper, and choose instead to lie back with a lovely wine, listening to the soft atmospheric music, sampling the buffet of sublime aromas. It was magical, and it certainly whet the appetite.
So I am directed to a table in the dining room (the restaurant consists of the lounge, dining room, and terrace), and bombarded with an array of menu's. Completely overwhelmed with choice, I delve through the French, Greek, Spanish and Thai menu's with gusto. I decide that this is all too much to bear, and abandon those menu's in favour of the crepes menu, a giant on it's own. What followed was amazing crepe with egg, ham, mushrooms, cheese, béchamel sauce, chives...
My rating: 9/10
The restaurant simply has an amazing atmosphere, a diverse menu, an exquisite wine list, located in a beautifully tranquil location. The staff have a good level of English, and the manager might surprise you by conversing with you in your native tongue. If you decide to go, call ahead and make a reservation, I managed to get lucky but the place is normally very busy.
After a quick cup of coffee, I asked Ken to store my bags and went out in search of some brunch.
I could've eaten at the Merlin, but I felt like experiencing some of Bangkok's haute cuisine.
As usual, I consulted my pre-arrival research and my stomach concluded that I should head down to Soi Sip-Song (Soi 12). So onto the BTS we go, for a quick trip down to the Asoke station, leave via Exit 2. Head down Soi 12 for about 10 minutes (or even better, grab a motorcycle), and you'll find yourself at the entrance of Crepes & Co.
 |
| Crepes & Co entrance |
Having quite the penchant for wine from Stellenbosch, I was elated to find a 2008 Simonsig Chenin Blanc on the menu, and promptly indulged.
 |
| Pick up a newspaper and enjoy a glass of wine whilst waiting for a table. |
 |
| The dining area |
 |
| The terrace |
The restaurant simply has an amazing atmosphere, a diverse menu, an exquisite wine list, located in a beautifully tranquil location. The staff have a good level of English, and the manager might surprise you by conversing with you in your native tongue. If you decide to go, call ahead and make a reservation, I managed to get lucky but the place is normally very busy.
Sunday 2 October 2011
Turning in for the night - Merlin Lodge Hotel
Upon leaving the Rock Pub, I made a quick call to the Merlin Lodge Hotel, upon suggestion by my girlfriend, who had stayed there previously.
The Merlin Lodge is a small budget hotel and guest-house on the corner of Sukhumvit 64 (a road you will get to know VERY well if you ever come to Bangkok.). The owner, Ken, is and Indian expat, speaks English, French, Dutch, Thai, Mandarin and Hindi, and is the highlight of your stay there. Not only is he an invaluable source of information for a new arrival, he is also helpful above and beyond the call of duty.
As one guest said of him, "He was immediately likeable and over the few days we stayed there he was always available and full of helpful local information, far more than the standard tourist stuff.". Couldn't have said it better myself.
As it stands, the entire hotel is undergoing a tediously slow renovation, the first floor is being upgraded with an internet cafe / sandwich shop, and the top floor is being renovated into a bar / entertainment area.
The rooms are standard fare however, single or double bed(or the dorm rooms), cable TV, en-suite bathroom with hot water, and free wi-fi. Rooms are non-smoking due to new regulations by the Ministry of Health. The lower floors used to be non-smoking, but the top floors were smoker-friendly. If you want to grab a midnight fag you'll have to climb up to the 6th floor onto the roof. The view at night is still something to behold amongst the tools and laundry.
The location during the day is perfect, as it's right outside the Punnawithi BTS, so you can zoom to almost anywhere in town at the drop of a hat. Getting back after twelve however you will have to take a taxi back, as the hotel is quite a ways down Sukhumvit. If you want to explore the area, head down to the Siam Paradise Night Bazaar, night market and Beer and Food Garden.
My rating: 7/10
If you're new to Bangkok and are staying for more than a week or two, I would highly recommend you make this your first stop - if you don't judge a book by it's cover. Take the time to share a beer with Ken and he'll put you through a crash course of do's and dont's, teach you some basic Thai, and give you a list of place to check out, both on and off the beaten path.
 |
| Merlin Lodge Hotel |
As one guest said of him, "He was immediately likeable and over the few days we stayed there he was always available and full of helpful local information, far more than the standard tourist stuff.". Couldn't have said it better myself.
 |
| Entrance to the lodge. |
As it stands, the entire hotel is undergoing a tediously slow renovation, the first floor is being upgraded with an internet cafe / sandwich shop, and the top floor is being renovated into a bar / entertainment area.
The rooms are standard fare however, single or double bed(or the dorm rooms), cable TV, en-suite bathroom with hot water, and free wi-fi. Rooms are non-smoking due to new regulations by the Ministry of Health. The lower floors used to be non-smoking, but the top floors were smoker-friendly. If you want to grab a midnight fag you'll have to climb up to the 6th floor onto the roof. The view at night is still something to behold amongst the tools and laundry.
The location during the day is perfect, as it's right outside the Punnawithi BTS, so you can zoom to almost anywhere in town at the drop of a hat. Getting back after twelve however you will have to take a taxi back, as the hotel is quite a ways down Sukhumvit. If you want to explore the area, head down to the Siam Paradise Night Bazaar, night market and Beer and Food Garden.
My rating: 7/10
If you're new to Bangkok and are staying for more than a week or two, I would highly recommend you make this your first stop - if you don't judge a book by it's cover. Take the time to share a beer with Ken and he'll put you through a crash course of do's and dont's, teach you some basic Thai, and give you a list of place to check out, both on and off the beaten path.
Bangkok's House of Rock
Before I came to Thailand I did some research on places to go, things to see, and beyond the usual information handed out to English teachers and sex tourists alike, there wasn't much information to go on.
I only managed to find information on two places of note that might suit me...
The first, is Bangkok's House of Rock.
This is an excerpt from their website:
The Rock Pub has been around for 23 years now and is about to celebrate its 24th anniversary this March.
It has been known for the reputation of the great music it provides for rockers from all over the world
For over 2 decades, more than 40 rock bands had stepped on the Rock Pub's stage and performed. Over dozens of those bacame famous in Thailand's music industry, one of the reason they all had agreed for their success is the experiences they gained from playing here night in and night out.
Great artists from all over the world also played at the Rock Pub.
NAPALM DEATH, SODOM, DRAGON FORCE, DORO, EXODUS, MR.GARY BOWDEN, and KING LYCHEE (Hong Kong) are just some of the great bands that put on powerful performances here, at the Rock Pub.
I took the BTS from Phaya Thai station to Ratchathewi, lugging my oversized bag along. I didn't even bother with a hotel, I just wanted to see the nightlife of Bangkok, and see it I did...
At the entrance I was greeted by the friendly wait-staff, who beckoned me inside.
I entered, threw down my bag, ordered a beer and put my feet up as the band came on stage.
There are good bands, and there are bad bands - but one thing that has always surprised me is how GOOD most of the Thai cover bands are. Whether it's Greenday and Muse, or Guns & Roses and Led Zeppelin, these guys can do it all, which is even more impressive when you realize that most of these guys... can't speak a word of English.
Once I was comfortable, I started looking around. The bar has an elegant atmosphere, with sleek surfaces contrasted by rough stone. It immediately reminded me of another rock bar back home, the Eye of Horus. Nostalgia aside, it's a beautiful venue.
There isn't much space for dancing, with booths along the right hand side and tables in the center, although a few headbangers might have enough space if they maintain awareness of their surroundings. To the left is a long bar area, serving everything from beer to cocktails.
Next to the bar is a glass cube that airport smokers may have grown accustomed to. Yup, this is a non smoking venue. As it turns out, I don't really mind, as the box provides a bit of isolation from the sound of the band if you're in the mood to strike up a conversation. The sound is clean, crisp, and most of all - LOUD.
Adorning the walls of the pub is a collection of posters, photos, and rock & roll memorabilia.
Another point worth mentioning, is that the Rock Pub's kitchen serves food ranging from steak and hamburgers to curries and Pad Thai (a dish of stir-fried rice noodles with eggs, fish sauce, tamarind juice, red chilli pepper, plus any combination of bean sprouts, shrimp, chicken or tofu.)
If you're not that hungry, grab a bowl of popcorn and watch the bands...
My rating: 8/10
Bring a group of friends and watch the bands, they are amazing.
Check the website for schedules and times.
I only managed to find information on two places of note that might suit me...
The first, is Bangkok's House of Rock.
This is an excerpt from their website:
The Rock Pub has been around for 23 years now and is about to celebrate its 24th anniversary this March.
It has been known for the reputation of the great music it provides for rockers from all over the world
For over 2 decades, more than 40 rock bands had stepped on the Rock Pub's stage and performed. Over dozens of those bacame famous in Thailand's music industry, one of the reason they all had agreed for their success is the experiences they gained from playing here night in and night out.
Great artists from all over the world also played at the Rock Pub.
NAPALM DEATH, SODOM, DRAGON FORCE, DORO, EXODUS, MR.GARY BOWDEN, and KING LYCHEE (Hong Kong) are just some of the great bands that put on powerful performances here, at the Rock Pub.
I took the BTS from Phaya Thai station to Ratchathewi, lugging my oversized bag along. I didn't even bother with a hotel, I just wanted to see the nightlife of Bangkok, and see it I did...
 |
| This is the sight that greets you as you step off the BTS. |
I entered, threw down my bag, ordered a beer and put my feet up as the band came on stage.
 |
| Band: Mundee (on another night) |
Once I was comfortable, I started looking around. The bar has an elegant atmosphere, with sleek surfaces contrasted by rough stone. It immediately reminded me of another rock bar back home, the Eye of Horus. Nostalgia aside, it's a beautiful venue.
There isn't much space for dancing, with booths along the right hand side and tables in the center, although a few headbangers might have enough space if they maintain awareness of their surroundings. To the left is a long bar area, serving everything from beer to cocktails.
Next to the bar is a glass cube that airport smokers may have grown accustomed to. Yup, this is a non smoking venue. As it turns out, I don't really mind, as the box provides a bit of isolation from the sound of the band if you're in the mood to strike up a conversation. The sound is clean, crisp, and most of all - LOUD.
Adorning the walls of the pub is a collection of posters, photos, and rock & roll memorabilia.
Another point worth mentioning, is that the Rock Pub's kitchen serves food ranging from steak and hamburgers to curries and Pad Thai (a dish of stir-fried rice noodles with eggs, fish sauce, tamarind juice, red chilli pepper, plus any combination of bean sprouts, shrimp, chicken or tofu.)
If you're not that hungry, grab a bowl of popcorn and watch the bands...
 |
| It's a busy night at the Rock Pub. |
Bring a group of friends and watch the bands, they are amazing.
Check the website for schedules and times.
The airport link to Bangkok
 |
| Source: CNNgo.com |
I took the link to the Phaya Thai BTS station, and took the BTS to my first stop in Thailand, bags and all.
Bangkok's House of Rock...
The journey begins...
Well, it seems that I'm starting the blog a bit late. I've been toying with the idea for a few months now, and eventually decided tonight to get down and do it.
Let's see where this takes us shall we?
I arrived in Thailand on Saturday 1 October 2011. Suvarnabhumi (pronounced su-waan-na-poom, the name is derived from Sanskrit, and may be rendered into English as "Golden Land".) airport was a breeze. After popping into one of the smoking boxes for a post flight quickie, I got lucky in the queue for Immigration, grabbed my bag, and was out of there in about 20 minutes.
First stop? As you walk into the airport you'll find a number of stalls offering pre-paid simcards for sale.
I had done my research online before the flight, so I walked directly to the 1-2-call AIS store and signed up for a Blackberry package.
The next step was to find the airport link BTS.
And here we go...
Let's see where this takes us shall we?
I arrived in Thailand on Saturday 1 October 2011. Suvarnabhumi (pronounced su-waan-na-poom, the name is derived from Sanskrit, and may be rendered into English as "Golden Land".) airport was a breeze. After popping into one of the smoking boxes for a post flight quickie, I got lucky in the queue for Immigration, grabbed my bag, and was out of there in about 20 minutes.
First stop? As you walk into the airport you'll find a number of stalls offering pre-paid simcards for sale.
I had done my research online before the flight, so I walked directly to the 1-2-call AIS store and signed up for a Blackberry package.
The next step was to find the airport link BTS.
And here we go...
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