Neighbor

A good neighbour can make all the difference! This lesson explores the Thai proverb เพื่อนบ้านดีมีชัยไปกว่าครึ่ง (phʉ̂an-bâan dii mii chai bpai gwàa khrʉ̂ng), meaning “a good neighbour is more than half the victory,” and looks at what makes a good or bad neighbour in Thailand. You’ll hear everyday situations, from blocked driveways, uncollected dog poo and late-night noise to sharing tom yum goong, collecting parcels and bringing in the washing when it rains. You’ll also find out about the famous nosy “auntie next door” and why some neighbourly questions can go too far.

Thai Vocabulary:
เพื่อนบ้าน (phʉ̂an-bâan) – Neighbour
ชนะ (chá-ná) – To win
เกรงใจ (greeng-jai) – To be considerate / not wanting to impose
พัสดุ (pát-sà-dù) – Parcel
นินทา (nin-thaa) – To gossip
ป้าข้างบ้าน (bpâa khâang bâan) – Nosy neighbour (lit. “auntie next door”)

Intermediate Birthday Cars Culture Delivery Dogs Etiquette Food Gossip Home Laundry Neighbour Noise Online Shopping Parking Party Pets Proverb Rain Relationships Souvenirs Tom Yum Travel

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Elephant

Why do Thai people treat elephants with such respect, even when wild elephants wander out of the forest to eat villagers’ crops? This lesson looks at the elephant as a national symbol of Thailand and its role in Thai history, from war elephants to the legendary elephant duel, ยุทธหัตถี (yút-thá-hàt-thǐi). It also covers the white elephant that once appeared on the Thai flag. You’ll also learn the names for male and female elephants, and the different classifiers Thai uses depending on the elephant: ช้าง 1 ตัว (cháang nʉ̀ng dtuua) – a wild elephant ช้าง 1 เชือก (cháang nʉ̀ng chʉ̂ak) – a domestic elephant ช้าง 1 ช้าง (cháang nʉ̀ng cháang) – an elephant in royal or national service ช้าง 1 โขลง (cháang nʉ̀ng khlǒong) – a herd of elephants There’s also musth, mahouts, the Surin Elephant Festival, and Thai films like Tom Yum Goong, Khan Kluay and The Legend of King Naresuan.

Neighbor

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