One of the greatest problems constantly facing the visitor to Thailand is the language barrier;he simply cann't talk to the vast majority of Thais.For most foreigners,to learn Thai to any useful level would take a sustained daily effort for one or two years or more and very few have the time.However,if he takes a course in basic Thai for 3-4 months he can at least begin to engage in Thai small talk.(The best basic course is probably to be found at AUA-American University Alumni Association Language Centre.)
In this book we have as far as possible avoided giving transcriptions of Thai words because we know they would be pronounced wrongly,and having crushed a cute little thing's fragile little toes with your massive great feet,' excuse me' in Thai with the wrong pronunciation would do very little to salvage the situation.It's,of course,only good manners and good sense to learn as soon as you can the Thai for the few dozen words that will help you survive.But learn them from a Thai,not from a book:-)
From (*Culture shock!*) by Robert and Nanthapa Cooper.
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