Fight Mode

Are Thai people really as gentle as they seem, or is there a hidden “fighting mode”? A recent fight between a Thai and a Filipino transgender woman leads into a look at where that fighting spirit comes from. Find out how Siam became Thailand in 1948, how Thai schools teach history and national pride, why monuments like Victory Monument matter, and what the lyrics of the Thai national anthem really mean. You’ll also learn why so many Thais stop and stand still at 8am and 6pm. Hospitality, Muay Thai and a strong sense of collective identity all shape how Thais respond when they feel their country is threatened.

Thai Vocabulary:
ปลูกฝัง (bplùuk fǎng) – To instil / ingrain
เอกราช (èek-gà-ràat) – Independence
ขี้ขลาด (kîi klàat) – Cowardly
เพลงชาติ (pleeng châat) – National anthem
อ่อนโยนแต่ไม่อ่อนแอ (ɔ̀ɔn yoon tɛ̀ɛ mâi ɔ̀ɔn ɛɛ) – Gentle, but not weak

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Thailand is not Just a Country, but Home

Why does Thailand feel like home to so many people? This lesson explores the four basic necessities of life (food, clothing, shelter and medicine) and how easy each one is to find in Thailand. You’ll hear about temples sharing food and offering a place to stay, simple houses built for a hot climate, affordable rent, and traditional herbal remedies passed down through generations. The lesson also looks at Thai generosity and the sense of family that makes so many travellers want to come back again and again. Thai Vocabulary: ปัจจัย 4 (bpàt-jai sìi) – The four requisites (basic necessities of life) เครื่องนุ่งห่ม (krʉ̂ang nûng-hòm) – Clothing ที่อยู่อาศัย (tîi-yùu-aa-sǎi) – Housing / Shelter ยารักษาโรค (yaa rák-sǎa rôok) – Medicine Do you feel that Thailand is more than just a country? Listen along, then share your thoughts in the comments!

Fight Mode

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