1. Greetings and Key phrases
What are the most common greetings in your culture?
Greeting: สวัสดีค่ะ / สวัสดีครับ
Meaning: Hello / Hi
Pronunciation: Sawasdee ka for female, Sawasdee krab for male
Adding “ka” or “krab” to a sentence in Thai makes it sound more polite.
What is a typical local phrase?
Phrase: ขอบคุณ
Meaning: thank you
Pronunciation: Kob khun
Phrase: ขอโทษ
Meaning: Excuse Me
Pronunciation: Kor tot
Phrase/ Sentense: ไม่เป็นไร
Meaning: Everything is ok
Pronunciation: Mai Pen Rai
2. A day in your city
What are the most famous landmarks?
Which are your personal favourite places in the city (insider tip)?
China Town – Nice street-food and visit temples.
Patcharee
Chatuchak Market (JJ or Weekend Market) – A shopping paradise for Bargain hunters, over 15,000 stalls which range from food, art, antiques, pets, fashion and much more.
Pennapa
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple or Wat Khaek – Visit, pray, make a wish, buy lottery.
Varunya
SkyWalk at King Power Mahanakhon – Highest observation deck at 314 meters offers 360-degree panoramic views (sunset).
Pennapa
Platinum Fashion Mall – Shopping mall which specializes in fashion clothes, accessories retail and wholesale shops.
Orapun
Is there any interesting way to get around in your city/country?
- Tuk-Tuk
- Taxi (Grab Car)
- Grab Bike
- Boat
- Motorbike taxi
- Underground train (MRT)
- Sky train (BTS)
What items should I not forget to bring when traveling to your country?
- Mobile phone (to search Google map/selfie/internet banking)
- Hat or umbrella (Sun in Bangkok is so strong)
- Sunglasses
- Local SIM card
What should I avoid when travelling to your country?
- Don’t wear shorts or a skirt in temples.
- Don’t point with your feet.
- Don’t touch anyone’s head.
- Don’t place your feet on car front console.
- Don’t eat food & drink offerings to the spiritual house.
- Do respect Buddha statues and images.
3. Culture
What is the traditional and the modern costume/dress in your country?
Do schools require uniforms in your country? If yes, what do they look like?
Thai school uniform is compulsory for students in Thai public and private school systems.
What music (and dances) represent your local culture?
One fun fact about your country
Thailand’s nickname is the “Land of Smiles” as Thais really do smile. Patcharee
American Fried Rice – American name but only found in Thailand. Praveena
What famous invention or something interesting is originally from your country?
- Red Bull – Energy drink
- Chaipattana Aerator
- Royal artificial rain
What are the special colours in your country/culture?
The Thai flag has 3 main colours:
Red stands for nation and blood,
white stands for religion,
and blue stands for monarchy (King).Black is associated with sorrow and mourning like funerals.
What are the lucky and unlucky numbers in your culture?
- Lucky 9 – The Thai word for nine, “gao”, sounds similar to the Thai word “kow-nah” and can be translated as progress or moving forward.
- Unlucky 0 and 7 – The Thai word for zero, “soon”, sounds like the Thai word “soon-sin” and can be translated as die or vanish.
The Thai word for seven, “Jed”, sounds like the Thai word “Jeb” and can be translated as hurt, ache, sick.
4. Food and key dishes
What are your favourite local dishes that I should try in your country?
Tum Kha Kai – Varunya
Mango & sticky rice – Orapun
Khao Soi Kai – Praveena
Green curry – Jintana
Basil, fried egg – Pennapa
Pad Thai – Patcharee
Where do local people usually buy food ingredients?
- Or Tor Kor food market – Pennapa
- Local fresh market – Klongtoey and Bangrak
- Talad Noi in China Town
5. Souvenirs
What gift should I bring back to friends and family?
- Elephant pants from the night market, MBK or weekend market – Orapun
- Tiger balm from the pharmacy – Pennapa
- Thai Nasal Inhalers from the pharmacy – Praveena
- Thai snacks from the supermarket – Orapun
6. Contributors
- Jintana
- Orapun
- Pennapa
- Praveena
- Varunya
- Patcharee