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The New Kid in Town May 2000
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Last month, a colleague from Singapore visited Thailand for a week-long assignment. This was his first trip to the Kingdom. His visit resulted in several tales that could be benefit other foreigners who might be a new kid in town in the future! The first day I picked him up from the hotel to work in my office. After settling him down in the temporary work area, the first thing he needed help with was the electricity plug for his notebook. The Thai electricity outlet is differs from those in Singapore. Typically, electrical supply outlets (sockets) in Thailand are designed for a two-pin plug, even though occassionally you might find some hotels or offices that have three-pin sockets. The best idea however is to carry converters and a set of adapter plugs with you. Converters and sets of adapter plugs are available at travel & luggage stores, Radio Shack/Tandy and other electronic stores. I always carry an electrical adapter with me, so I let him use mine. For those of you who want to see more advice on electrical plugs in Thailand you may wish to visit the May 1997 issue of Thailand Tales. After few days, he asked me about Thai nicknames. So I explained to him about the origin and meanings of Thai nicknames and the how and why of their use. He also asked me why the Thai greeting differed slightly depending on the gender of the speaker. Usually, when you are gentleman and want to greet your guest (regardless of the sex of your guest) you will say "SAWASDEE KRAB Khun Kriengsak". On the other hand, if you are a woman and want to greet your guest you will say "SAWASDEE KAH Khun Kriengsak". If you mix it up, it might create a little humor but nothing serious! In fact, my friend mixed it up. Coincidentally, it broke the ice with all the junior Thai staff. Later, they were getting along very well. So, I gave him the Thailand Tales that I had consolidated in hard copy to him. He read through it over the weekend. He said it was very enlightening in helping him working with Thais. Over the weekend, I took him on a sight-seeing tour around Bangkok. While driving past the King's palace, he could see that there were lots of activities related to farming and agricultural mini-plants all over the place inside. Looking from the outside my friend commented that it was like a research center. I agreed with him. Our beloved King is very generous and really cares for his people. What has happened in the Palace are activities relating to the King's testing and researching in order to improve farming and agriculture technology in Thailand. He does not worry about the beauty of the Palace landscape but his priority is the people. That is why all Thais are so proud and respect very much our beloved King.
Kriengsak Niratpattanasai
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| ...from Kriengsak Niratappanasai's Thailand Tales |
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| Kriengsak Niratpattanasai Thai Danu Bank Bangkok Thailand |
| Kriengsak was one of the Asian Business Strategy & Street Intelligence Ezine's earliest columnists and continues to provide some of the most savvy advice on the Net on working in Thailand. His down to earth advice from years of working with falang and locals mixed with local folkstories continues to delight and inform. Click on Kriengsak's picture to learn more about our great friend and colleague. |
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