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Sommai:

Thawarn rao dai tua rotreo rue rotduan la

 

¶ÒÇà àÃÒä´éµÑëÇöàÃçÇËÃ×Íö´èǹÅèÐ

Thawarn, did we get the rapid or express train?

Thaworn:

choakdii dai rotduan  tuunawn duay

 

⪤´Õä´éö´èǹ µÙé¹Í¹´éÇÂ

(We’re) lucky to get the express and a second-class sleeper.

Sommai:

nai duu tua noy si  chaanchaalaa thii kao tuu thii sipsawng

 

ä˹ ´ÙµÑëÇ˹èÍ«Ô.ªÒ¹ªÒÅÒ·Õè 9 µÙé·Õè 12

Can I have a look at the tickets? Platform no. 9 and car no. 12

Paul:

rot awk kiimoang

 

öÍÍ¡¡ÕèâÁ§

What time does the train leave?

Thaworn:

haamoang haa naathii

 

ËéÒâÁ§ ËéÒ¹Ò·Õ

Five after 5.

Sommai:

ngan khoenrot dailaew Pawn maa thaang nii

 

§Ñé¹¢Öé¹Ã¶ä´éáÅéÇ ¾ÍÅÁÒ·Ò§¹Õé

We’d better get on the train now. Paul, this way.

On the train.

Thaworn:

rao dai thiinang boe saamsip saamsip-et lae saamsipsawng

 

àÃÒä´é·Õè¹Ñè§àºÍÃì30, 31 áÅÐ 32

Our seat numbers are 30, 31 and 32.

Paul:

mii khon maak na

 

ÁÕ¤¹ÁÒ¡¹Ð

It’s quite crowded.

Thaworn:

umm! rotfai ja naen talawt …………….

 

Î×èÍ Ã¶ä¿¨Ðá¹è¹µÅÍ´ …………

Um uh! It’s always crowded on the train. …………………

Sommai:

ja kinkhao yang thum kwaa laew

 

¨Ð¡Ô¹¢éÒÇÂѧ ·ØèÁ¡ÇèÒáÅéÇ

Shall we eat? It’s already after 7.

Paul:

dii muan kan

 

´ÕàËÁ×͹¡Ñ¹

Good idea!

Thaworn:

pai kin thii tuusabiang diikwaa na

 

仡Թ·ÕèµÙéàʺÕ§´Õ¡ÇèÒ¹Ð

Let’s go eat at the dining car.

Language check:

There are many English words that are shortened by Thais and used as natural words. One example from the conversation is in the line rao dai thiinang boe saamsip saamsip-et lae saamsipsawng. When you look at the English line, I'm sure you immediately know that it's shortened from "number".

Other common words of the same nature are:
woe   from over khun phuut woe pai na   (What you said was a bit over.)
kawp   from copy - chan khaw kawp ruup nii noy na   (Can I copy this picture please?)
khawndoo   from condominium - phom yaai maa yuu khawndoo   (I moved to live in a condominium.)
suupoe   from supermarket - tawnnii mae pai suue khawng thii suupoe   (Now mother is buying something in the supermarket.)
lip   from lipstick - lip khawng khun sii suay jang   (Your lipstick colour is very nice.)

Thai train words :

sa-thaa-nii  - a station, a terminal
rot-reo  - a rapid train
rot-duan  - an express train
(rot) awk  - to leave, to get off
tuu-nawn  - a sleeper
tua  - a ticket
chaan-chaa-laa  - a platform
tuu (rotfai)  - a car, a wagon
khoen-rot  - to get on the train
thii-nang  - a seat
tuu-sa-bieng  - a dining/buffet car


  • This lesson was prepared by Acharn Sunee Siidao, Educational Specialist.

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    Last modified: August 29, 2005
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  • Phuut Phaasaa Thai gives you useful topical and seasonal Thai words and phrases used in daily-life conversations. The column will give you some instant Thai language to help you out in common situations.

    ó÷ singhaakhom òõôø  (30 August 2005)     

    rotfai awk kii moong

    Have you ever been on a train in Thailand? Travelling by train is charming in its own way. Train travel provides wonderful views along the way, a reward for those who appreciate the countryside. Bangkok's Hualamphong Station is the central terminal for all upcountry routes. You can book tickets and get all kinds of information there. Officers at the ticket reservation desks are quite efficient and organised. This week's conversation gives more information and details about train travel.

    Thaworn is taking Paul and Sommai to visit his home in Pattalung, a southern province. At Hualamphong terminal, Thawarn has three tickets in his hand.