OK, you can read a Thai message in print form, but what if you get the message in handwritten form? Let's give it a try with two letters that got a lot of attention in the social media recently.

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Column by Acharn Sunee Khaenyuk

We have seen this story in a lesson for English learners (http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/easy/421562/thief-apologise-twice-but-keeps-the-money). Here, we will focus on the Thai, particularly since it gives Thai learners a chance to read some real Thai handwriting. The message itself is easy, but it does take some skill to read the original.

The two letters of apology featured here were received by a man who had had his wallet stolen. The thief eventually returned  several identification cards, membership cards and an amulet, but not the 2,000 baht that was in the wallet.

We admit to being confused by the reference to "Archarn Lian" in the second letter. It doesn't seem to belong there. Any ideas?

First letter:

ขอโทษนะ ทำไปแล้วรู้สึกไม่ดีเลย ขอโทษจริงๆนะ
ต่อไปจะไม่ทำอีกแล้ว นอนไม่หลับทั้งคืนเลย

I’m sorry. (After) I did it, I felt very bad!  I’m sorry, really! I won’t do that again. I didn’t  get any sleep all night long.

ขอโทษ – I’m sorry, to apologise
ทำไปแล้ว – to have done (something)
รู้สึกไม่ดีเลย – to feel very bad
จริงๆนะ – really, believe me
ต่อไปจะไม่ทำอีกแล้ว – (I) won’t do that again. (as a promise – สัญญา)
นอนไม่หลับ – to not to get any sleep
ทั้งคืน – all night, all night long

Second letter:

จะคืนกระเป๋าให้ น้ำหนักมันเกิน อ.เหลียน/เหรียญ (???)
จะส่ง EMS ไม่ได้
ขอโทษจริงๆ จากใจ

(I) was going to return the wallet. (It) weighs too much, Acharn Lian, to be sent by EMS
(I'm) truly sorry from the heart.

จะ – will, would, was going to, etc. (depending on context)
คืน...ให้ – to return, to send back
กระเป๋า – a wallet, a purse, a bag
น้ำหนัก – to weigh, weight
เกิน – to be over, to be too much
อ. – shortened from อาจารย์ – Acharn, Ajaan
จากใจ – from the heart