Learn to Speak Thai like a Thai

I've stumbled an easy to use application which might be good for some learners here, which guides you through the Thai language with visuals, sounds and phonetics to make learning Thai all that more easier. I shall be putting up a proper full review in the coming weeks, when my schedule quietens down a bit more. However, if you did want to check it out it's compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista and there's a new and improved version being launched in the next couple of days for only $39. At this sort of price it's a bargain and certainly cheaper than getting private lessons or studying at a school/University. Click to start learning

Podcasts

I've recently rediscovered the joys of podcasts and how they can be instrumental in the beginnings of learning a new language, and indeed whilst your still developing your vocab. and proficiency in the language podcasts are still very useful and shouldn't be neglected. I'm posting about this, because as you know I'm starting to learn Chinese and I've found the newbie lessons from Chinesepod.com very useful indeed. I think what makes these particular podcasts perhaps more interesting and perhaps easier to digest is that you get to hear the conversations 3 times, then there's an explanation of what the dialogue means, the context is used in and perhaps on what other instances/occasions you can use particular words/phrases, and then you get to hear the conversation another 3 times - this time having a better understanding of what's going on. The onus of these podcasts, as well, are not so much on the individual words/sentences, but rather the patterns that go on in chinese. By the radio presenters not over analyzing the words, context etc. it's not too overwhelming for a beginner. I just wished I had discovered  podcasts and used them when I was learning Thai, maybe it would have helped.

Reading materials online

One of my favourite online news sites has to be Matichon Online, it's great for picking up bits of good vocab. and expressions and really challenging yourself. Although when I read it my understanding is not quite 100% it provides me with words/phrase I then need to go away and check in the Lexitron online dictionary: http://lexitron.nectec.or.th/2009_1/.

Here's a link on the Matchion site to a news story about Robbie Williams and his previous addiction to prescription drugs, after it came out the Michael Jackson died from a drug overdose from a cocktail of  prescription drugs. http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?newsid=1255336425&grpid=01&catid=

Here's some words/phrases I've picked out that might be useful:
ติดยา = drug addict
วันนั้น = on that day
ผมเล่นยาหลายประเภท = i tried many kinds of drugs
โคเคน = cocaine
เฮโรอิน = heroine
ยาบ้า = ya ba/metaamphetemine
ยาแก้ปวด = painkiller(s)
"ไมเคิล แจ๊กสัน" ราชาเพลงป็อป = "Michael  Jackson" King of Pop.
นักร้องหนุ่ม = young singer
เกี่ยวกับเรื่อง = story about

ภาษาจีน

พมกําัลงเร้นภาษาแมนดารินยากมากคร้บ
I'm learning Mandarin, it's very hard.


So it's been a couple of days into my chinese mandarin learning. I haven't found a place to study yet, just doing some traveling before I still down and find a school. I think its a better situation here, because not many people seem to speak English so I will be forced to speak chinese on a daily basis to convey what I want.


Mandarin has 5 tones, which a new learner first has to get to grips with if they're not familiar with tonal languages.
Coming from learning Thai it's not such an issue. Some of the sounds are quite hard to imitate particularly, and gonna take me a while to get a hold on. I have to say one major incentive for me learning, is that the girls here are seriously cute :) So one day would be nice having a conversation with them that extends beyond the basics.

你好嗎

เป็นอย่างไรบ้างครับ ?

I'm writing this post from my hostel in Taipei, Taiwan. I've set myself a new challenge and this is to learn Chinese mandarin in 6 months. Of course, I don't hope to be proficient in the language in 6 months, but by 6 months at least be speaking if not reading and writing a little. I shall still try to keep up the Thai blog post at least fortnightly, but apologies in advanced if the posts are ridden with language errors - due to my lack of practicing Thai on a daily basis. But, it in order to preserve my link with the Thai language, I shall be making an effort to listen to some of the radio stations and reading other people's blogs.

Meanwhile, if anyone has some good recommendations for books they would be most welcome to either email me or post here. Hopefully I can start another blog for learning Chinese in the not too distant future :)

谢谢

Thai graffiti

Although Thailand isn't renowned for its graffiti, there are still some interesting pieces of artwork found in and around bangkok. I was over at Tirbudragon's blog and was reminded of the talented artists that exhibit their work within the kingdom. This particular work that he features is found in พระนคร Phra Nakorn district. Also I stumbled upon another site, that also shows something a bit more refreshing than the BNE was here stickers and other BNE bits of graffiti found all around Bangkok. Later on in the week, I shall post some interesting bits of graffiti that strike a chord with me, and I encourage all of the two readers on this blog to send me any pics that bangkok or upcountry graffiti pictures.
Thai graffiti
More Thai graffiti

text promotions

Lately I've been getting loads of promotional (spam) messages from True. I'm really regretting my switch from DTAC to True. Just because I went back home for a few months, True decided I'm not a loyal enough customer and know everytime I top my phone credit up, I get a ridiculous time limit for a few days to use 100 baht worth of credit. I've tried phoning them up too, but just get annoyed with their phone system and me waiting for an operator to become free. Anyway rant aside,  here's a message I got from them today regarding today's lucky day:


ว้นนี้ฤกษ์ดี 090909!ลุ้นรับโบนัสโทรฟรี 9บาท9,999 รางวัล โทรลงทะเบียน*93204(ฟรี)แล้วเติมทรูมูฟ90บาท ขึ้นไปโทรเลย


I'm ignoring this message today, being the cynic I am about such promotions on such 'auspicious lucky days.' 
My balance is showing as 1 baht, i really do need to top up but I think I'll wait till tomorrow on a non-luck day.
Happy 09/09/09!