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Kreng jai (also written as krengjai) is a distinctly Thai trait that can bewilder visitors to Thailand. So what is kreng jai? The direct translation is often given as ‘awe heart‘ or ‘deferential heart‘ and it is usually interpreted as consideration, but that is too simplistic because kreng jai is also a feeling. Kreng jai [...]

Even if you are only in Thailand for a few weeks, if you can learn a few words of the Thai language it can be amazing the difference it can make to your interaction with the locals. Naturally, you have to be realistic; if you haven’t learnt Thai before it’s going to be difficult. At [...]

Good manners are important in Thai society, but politeness isn’t always demonstrated in the same way as it is in many other countries. Although there is a Thai word for ‘please’ (karuna) it isn’t used in the same way as it would be in the West and you needn’t worry about using it.
Khop Khun (Thank [...]

Whatever country you visit, local people usually appreciate if you make at least some effort to speak their language. Thailand is no different in this respect, but achieving the correct pronunciation isn’t so easy.

Thai is a tonal language and makes use of some sounds and tones unfamiliar to many Westerners. In addition to this, translating [...]

The term ‘farang‘ (often pronounced as ‘falang‘) is a general term used by many Thais when referring to Caucasian visitors. The exact derivation isn’t clear with some experts stating that it is a contraction of the Thai word ‘farangset‘ (French) as the French were present in Siam and Indochina in the 17th Century. Others believe [...]