# data[].attributes.body
Thailand is the worlds 20th most popular Country with about 67 million people.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Thailand is known as the land of smiles, thanks to the welcoming nature of the Thai people. But there's so much more to the country than friendly faces. In fact, it's impossible to sum up Thailand in a nutshell, because every part is different.

Mixed in with the religious landmarks is one of the world's most hectic capitals. Bangkok is a strobe-like city, where motorways have 12 lanes, markets have upward of 15,000 stalls, and restaurants are so concentrated, you'll never be more than 50 metres away from one.

Then there's the coast. In the Krabi province alone, there are 150 kilometres' worth of beaches, many of which are backed by photogenic rock formations. In the Khao Lak area, the sands get swallowed up by national parks a few hundred metres from the shoreline. In Phuket, meanwhile, there's a real mix. While the crowdless beaches in Mai Khao let you live incognito for a while, the ones in Patong invite you to a permanent party.

Settling on just one spot is no easy feat in this kaleidoscopic country. That's why we've rolled out a selection of Multi-Centre holidays, which let you tick off two or more places in one trip. They pair up Bangkok with beach resorts, like Phuket and Khao Lak. Our Multi-Centre tours, meanwhile, cover off even more, from traditional Chiang Mai in the north to the picturesque Phi Phi Islands in the south.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Thomson is now TUI | Discover your smile

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Discover our breathtaking Thailand holidays for 2018 & 2019. All our hotels are handpicked and our holiday experiences are designed around you. Low deposits ✔ ATOL protected ✔ No Credit Card Charges ✔. At TUI we 'cross the 'T's, dot the 'I's, and put 'U' in the middle'.

# data[].attributes.body
Pilgrim boat sinks in Thailand leaving several dead.  The boat has sunk after hitting a concrete pillar, killing at least 13 people  including a child.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
EIGHT Australian families are lucky to be alive after a terrifying Phuket boating accident left them fighting for their lives.

The tropical getaway turned to holiday horror when the group was forced to jump from the tourist speedboat they were on when it started to sink during a cruise to Phi Phi Island last week, reported the Herald Sun.

Seven children aged from two years and 18 adults were on board when the boat started to sink about 9.30am Thursday.

The families, members of the Banyule Cricket Club, had gone to Thailand for a wedding.

Philip Barnes, whose wife, Susan, and daughters Alyssa, 9, and Megan, 7, were also on board, yesterday hit out at tour operators, Destination Asia.

"The boat and crew were completely ill equipped for an emergency," he said.

"There were no flares and no radio on board, so if we weren't able to wave another boat down there would have been no way of telling anyone we were in trouble.

"They don't give a s--- about safety. It's just all money to them," he said.

Mr Barnes, who captured harrowing photos of the boat sinking, said the group was about 45 minutes into its trip when the drama unfolded.

"The driver was really thrashing the engine, going really fast, and then an engine died," he told the Herald Sun.

"We started drifting around on one engine ... then saw there was water coming into the back of the boat ..."

"All of a sudden panic set in when we started to sink.

"Life vests were thrown around and I realised we were in real trouble. We knew we were going to have to get off ."

Mr Barnes said a last-minute decision to fit the children with lifejackets may have saved them.

He said it took about 10 minutes for the boat to sink.

"All the kids were crying, they were really frightened. We all were. Several of the people on board couldn't swim and it was causing absolute panic," he said.

Passengers flagged down a passing scuba-diving boat.

"We were able to pass one child over but then the boats had to separate," he said. The remaining 24 people jumped into the water and waited to be rescued.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Panicked tourists jump as Thailand boat sinks

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
EIGHT Australian families are lucky to be alive after a terrifying Phuket boating accident left them fighting for their lives. The tropical getaway turned to holiday horror when the group was forced to jump from the tourist speedboat they were on when it started to sink during a cruise to Phi Phi Island last week, reported the Herald Sun .

# data[].attributes.headline
Sports, hobbies, and  games they play in Thailand

# data[].attributes.subject
Sports, hobbies, and  games they play in Thailand

# data[].attributes.body
They play golf, soccer, boxing, snooker, tennis, and bowling.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sepak Takraw - volleyball with no hands!

# data[].attributes.headline
One important thing someone should know if they are going to Thailand.

# data[].attributes.subject
One important thing someone should know if they are going to Thailand.

# data[].attributes.body
People should know that if you are traveling to Thailand you should never talk about the king, otherwise you will be in prison.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great was born on December 5, 1927 to Prince Mahidol of Songkhla and Mom Sangwan. His Majesty is the ninth King of the Chakri Dynasty and the longest-reigning monarch in the history of Thailand. The King commands great respect not only from Thai people but also from people all over the world, the longest reigning living monarch His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej can be seen in nearly every home in Thailand with many people reserving a a sort of shrine in his honour.

Today is the Kings 84th birthday and the usual celebrations go on all over the country. It's mandatory that the bars close for the kings birthday so does any place that serves alcohol. Though that doesn't stop most people stocking up for the day before and getting wrecked today.

Bangkok typically has a great fireworks display near the kings residence while in Chiang Mai the big event is at the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek where in the evening they will set of fireworks and there will be a massive crowed of 10's of thousands of people.

It is the Kings birthday and since Thai people call him "father of the land" today is what we would normally call Fathers day in Thailand. So even though it's not fathers day back in your country give your father a call reconnect if necessary and celebrate today along with Thai people.

I think it's great how Thai people show so much affection and love for their King. I couldn't say that I have the same feelings towards the Queen of England even though the respect is there maybe it's because of all the crappy press you hear about her family, maybe things would be different if you could actually say similar things in Thailand about the royal family. For many reasons I like the idea that you can't because look how things have turned out in England with all the scandals in the tabloids treating the royal family like movie stars gone wild it's appalling.

Well with great respect happy birthday King Bhumibol Adulyadej may your health get better and live long to keep an eye over Thai people.

F*&% this?

About Chris

Chris founded LivingThai.org in 2011 and has received over 3 million visitors. He has lived here for over 10 years and speaks reads and writes very good Thai.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
the king of thailands birthday is also fathers day in thailand the bars are closed and the celebrations include fireworks

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Happy Birthday to the King of Thailand 2011

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great was born on December 5, 1927 to Prince Mahidol of Songkhla and Mom Sangwan. His Majesty is the ninth King of the Chakri Dynasty and the longest-reigning monarch in the history of Thailand.

# data[].attributes.headline
Traditions and holidays they celebrate that the USA does not.

# data[].attributes.subject
Traditions and holidays they celebrate that the USA does not.

# data[].attributes.body
Makha bucha day which is on February 22nd. The full moon of the 3rd lunar month. 1,250 monks gathered to hear Buddhas preach.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Some 1,250 Buddhist monks took part in a beautiful candlelit ceremony at the Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple in Pathum Thani province, north of Bangkok, to mark Makha Bucha Day.

The important festival honours Buddha and his teachings, and falls on the full moon day of the third lunar month. It commemorates a day when 1,250 monks gathered to be ordained by the Buddha.

The Dhammakaya temple members include some of Thailand's most powerful politicians and is regarded as the country's richest Buddhist temple.

Makha Bucha ceremonies were also held at other Buddhist temples in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Makha Bucha Day: 1,250 Buddhist monks in beautiful candlelit ceremony at Thailand's Dhammakaya temple

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Some 1,250 Buddhist monks took part in a beautiful candlelit ceremony at the Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple in Pathum Thani province, north of Bangkok, to mark Makha Bucha Day. The important festival honours Buddha and his teachings, and falls on the full moon day of the third lunar month.

# data[].attributes.body
The word for hello is Sawadee krab.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In English world, you may usually get used to many greeting words in different time during a day. In Thai, we usually use one word to say hello during a day, most of you may already know and have heard this word, which is

For men, you should say "Sa-Was-Dee-Krab"

For women, you should say "Sa-Was-Dee-Ka"

Actually, there are "Good Morning", "Good Afternoon", "Good Evening" and "Good Night" in Thai as well. These words had been used in the old time. In today world, we, Thai people, mostly say "Sa-Was-Dee" to greeting each other.

"Sa-Was-Dee" is used when we see each other once the first time of the day. No need to say "Sa-Was-Dee" every time you want to greet Thai people.

The most important culture of Thai people you need to know is that those who are younger have to say greeting to those who are older. And those who are older will then Sawasdee back to those younger.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope you'll find this site helpful for your Thai language learning experience. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact me.

I'll soon add YouTube video to how to accent the word, please stay tune....

Again, thank you for reading this far, hope you follow this blog ^^

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In English world, you may usually get used to many greeting words in different time during a day. In Thai, we usually use one word to say hello during a day, most of you may already know and have heard this word, which is For men, you should say "Sa-Was-Dee-Krab" For women, you should say "Sa-Was-Dee-Ka" Actually, there are "Good Morning", "Good Afternoon", "Good Evening" and "Good Night" in Thai as well.

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the most common language spoken here

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the most common language spoken here

# data[].attributes.body
Thai.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Thai language is the official and primary language of Thailand. It is also known as Siamese, Central Thai, or simply "Thai". It is spoken by almost 80% of the population of the country, around sixty million people in Thailand. Although mainly used in Thailand, it is also used in other places such as Singapore, the UAE, and the USA.

History of the Thai Language

Though subject to dispute, it is believed that the Thailand language is one of the oldest languages in East and South-East Asia. According to language scholars, it may even predate the Chinese. This may be due to the similarities between the languages, given that both are monosyllabic and tonal.

Chinese influence on the Thai language was strong until the 13 th century when the use of Chinese characters was abandoned. It was then replaced by writing Thai in Pali (Theravada Buddhism's classical language) and Sanskrit (Indian Hinduism's classical language) scripts.

The spoken form of the Thai language is said to have originated within the area of the border between Vietnam and China. This idea is also associated with the origins of the Thai people, something which is subject to debate even today.

The ruler of the Sukhothai Kingdom from 1278 to 1298, King Ramkhamhaeng the Great, started Thai transcription in 1292. The Royal Thai General System of Transcription or the RTGS published by the Royal Institute is the standard used in transcribing Thai into the Latin alphabet. This standard is commonly used by Thailand's local and central government for road signs.

Throughout history, the Thai language has gone through significant changes particularly in terms of tones and consonants. The difference is between the form of Thai spoken at the time it was first transcribed and the form written and spoken in the present.

Spoken Thai: Regional variations

The four primary dialects of the Thai language correspond to the northern (Yuan), north eastern (Lao), southern, and central regions of Thailand. Central Thai or Bangkok Thai used in the central region is what is widely understood in most regions, taught in schools, and used in the media. There are other minor dialects used by a small percentage of the population such as Phuan and Lue, but the four major dialects are the ones commonly spoken.

The use of each variation does not necessarily depend on the place where it is used, but more on what it is used for or when it is used. Different situations call for the use of different dialects. Some words are used for everyday interactions with family and close friends, some used when referring to Buddhism or conversing with monks, and others used only when addressing royalty or discussing their activities.

Thai people value respect and courteous behaviour. In normal conversation, men and women will use first names and terms used for relatives or family members such as younger/older brother or sister, or uncle or aunt to address someone.

In settings where formality is required, men will use the words "phom" and for women "dee-chan" in lieu of the pronoun "I". And instead of shaking hands, Thais greet each other with a "wai" by slightly bowing with the palms pressed together in a prayer-like manner. This is a sign of respect and is initiated by those that are younger than the person that they are greeting.

Even though the Thai language has been influenced by so many, the years have changed and shaped it to what it is today; a language unique to the Thais, a reflection of their history and their culture.

Thai Language: How Is It Different from English?

The written form of the Thai language is read from left to right just like English. Aside from this, there are not that many similarities between the two languages. In fact, there are more differences than similarities between the two languages. These include the following:
Pitch and Tone
Linguists classify the Thai language under the Chinese-Thai branch of the Sino-Tibetan family. It is tonal, monosyllabic, and uninflected. This means speakers can change the meaning of a word by simply changing the pitch and tone of their voice.
Phonetics
Some consonant and vowel letters are pronounced differently in Thai from the English language, and vice versa. For example, th and ph sounds are pronounced as t and p respectively; not th and f.
Verbs
Unlike English, Thai does not have past, present, or future tenses. Instead, some words are usually added to connote time.
Adjectives and adverbs
These parts of speech are used interchangeably in the Thai Language. They may be used to function as either. Unlike in the English language, adjectives are placed after the noun they are modifying instead of before. Same goes for adverbs. Adjectives and adverbs can also function as verbs. For example, the Thai word for "tall" (adjective) and "to be tall" (verb) are the same.
Nouns and Pronouns
In Thai, nicknames are used in exchange of pronouns that would otherwise be used in English. There are no singular or plural nouns in the Thailand language. They do not indicate gender and are uninflected. Classifiers are usually used to express plurals, so instead of saying "two glasses of wine" in English, it would be "wine two glass" in Thai; or "five chairs" in English, and "chair five item" in Thai.

English speaking people might find it difficult to learn the language. However, people from Laos, Yunnan, Vietnam, and Burma won't. The spoken languages of these countries (particularly with the dialects used in the north or north eastern regions of Laos) are closely related to the Thai language.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Thai language is the official and primary language of Thailand. It is also known as Siamese, Central Thai, or simply "Thai". It is spoken by almost 80% of the population of the country, around sixty million people in Thailand. Although mainly used in Thailand, it is also used in other places such as Singapore, the UAE, and the USA.

# data[].attributes.headline
How many miles is it from Plymouth WI, to Thailand?

# data[].attributes.subject
How many miles is it from Plymouth WI, to Thailand?

# data[].attributes.body
It is exactly 8,273 miles away

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Why do we need to look at a World Map?

We need a world map to act as a reference point to all that what is happening in various parts of the world. A world Map works best with the data set it is mashed-up with. A World Map is a representation of all continents and countries in the world. Looking at a world map tells us the depth and shallowness of our knowledge about our world, at the same time.

HERE IS A CLICKABLE MAP OF THE WORLD
(click on a country to view its map)

All efforts have been made to make this World Map accurate. However Compare Infobase Limited, its directors and employees do not own any responsibility for the correctness or authenticity of the same.

The 206 listed states of the United Nations depicted on the world map are divided into three categories: 193 member states, 2 observer states, and 11 other states. The 191 sovereign states, are the countries whose sovereignty is official, and no disputes linger. There are 15 states under the category of "sovereignty dispute". There are 5 member states, 1 observer state and 9 other states. This image of map of the world is current as on date January 01, 2019.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We need a world map to act as a reference point to all that what is happening in various parts of the world. A world Map works best with the data set it is mashed-up with. A World Map is a representation of all continents and countries in the world.

# data[].attributes.headline
2 geographic features that border Thailand.

# data[].attributes.subject
2 geographic features that border Thailand.

# data[].attributes.body
Mekong river is one thing that borders Thailand and the other geographic feature is Laos which is a feature that borders Thailand.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tônlé Sap is a shallow lake in western Cambodia which is part of the Mekong River system. It is the largest lake of Southeast Asia and is fed by numerous streams. During the dry season it drains by the Tônlé Sap River southeast to the Mekong River.

# data[].attributes.body
My country is Thailand