Comments on: First impressions of Thailand http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/ Unconventional language hacking tips from Benny the Irish polyglot; travelling the world to learn languages to fluency and beyond! Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:51:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mold Removal Hawthorn http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-9811 Mold Removal Hawthorn Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:00:00 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-9811 Awesome post. Awesome post.

]]> By: bar pendant lights http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-9699 bar pendant lights Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:39:00 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-9699 Thanks for information, I'll always keep updated here! Thanks for information, I’ll always keep updated here!

]]> By: Polishng Marble WEST PALMBEACH http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-9075 Polishng Marble WEST PALMBEACH Sat, 23 Oct 2010 11:13:00 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-9075 The glass in the picture on the right. I asked for a non-alcoholic cocktail!I had a great laugh at the container it was served in!A moment of laugh...truly! The glass in the picture on the right. I asked for a non-alcoholic cocktail!I had a great laugh at the container it was served in!A moment of laugh…truly!

]]> By: Danny http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-5113 Danny Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:34:02 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-5113 Hi there sir!!<br>I am an an overseas student studying in Thailand and have been here for close to five years. My experiences and impressions have been along the same line as yours, in fact.<br>Although I don't "travel" as much and with the same objective as you have been doing, I have had to learn the language officially and in an academic course. I am close to comfortable with it now, but it still troubles me often. And, not to mention the culture thing too.<br>Just dropping a comment and wishing you good luck and educational experiences during you being here. Actually I stumbled upon your post through <a href="http://zenhabits.net" rel="nofollow">zenhabits.net</a>.<br>I am also fascinated by your ingenuity at learning languages.<br>I will be following your posts here to learn and share with you more. Please keep sharing your experiences.<br>Thanks and good luck sir!! Hi there sir!!
I am an an overseas student studying in Thailand and have been here for close to five years. My experiences and impressions have been along the same line as yours, in fact.
Although I don't “travel” as much and with the same objective as you have been doing, I have had to learn the language officially and in an academic course. I am close to comfortable with it now, but it still troubles me often. And, not to mention the culture thing too.
Just dropping a comment and wishing you good luck and educational experiences during you being here. Actually I stumbled upon your post through zenhabits.net.
I am also fascinated by your ingenuity at learning languages.
I will be following your posts here to learn and share with you more. Please keep sharing your experiences.
Thanks and good luck sir!!

]]> By: Olly http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-4915 Olly Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:34:50 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-4915 Ok. Have a good time! - will follow you. Ok. Have a good time! – will follow you.

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-4908 Benny the Irish polyglot Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:43:17 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-4908 Hi Olly! Thanks so much for the Chiang Mai sales pitch :) In fact I had already decided just yesterday that I'm going up there. I knew it would be more expensive and less authentic here in the south, and actually wanted to see what it was like to be an English speaking tourist (I almost never have travelled that way before).<br>But I'm ready to go to Chiang Mai! You can follow the more detailed aspect of my travel updates <a href="http://twitter.com/irishpolyglot" rel="nofollow">through twitter</a>.<br>I'm confident that I'll succeed in my mission of "speaking and reading", but this goal is a very modest one because I knew I'd make little progress this first month, so I'm hoping to do better than I had aimed for, now that I'll be more motivated to speak Thai. Time will tell! Hi Olly! Thanks so much for the Chiang Mai sales pitch :) In fact I had already decided just yesterday that I'm going up there. I knew it would be more expensive and less authentic here in the south, and actually wanted to see what it was like to be an English speaking tourist (I almost never have travelled that way before).
But I'm ready to go to Chiang Mai! You can follow the more detailed aspect of my travel updates through twitter.
I'm confident that I'll succeed in my mission of “speaking and reading”, but this goal is a very modest one because I knew I'd make little progress this first month, so I'm hoping to do better than I had aimed for, now that I'll be more motivated to speak Thai. Time will tell!

]]> By: Olly http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-4907 Olly Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:32:01 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-4907 I would suggest you head north to Chiang Mai. You will struggle to find a beach bungalow type set up that suits your work requirements for anything less than around 20,000 Baht in the tourist areas like Phuket - and even then you would be looking at say Chalong rather than Patong and renting by the month, whilst possible will be considerably more expensive than a 3 month or 6 month contract. Chiang Mai is far more chilled out than Bangkok and Phuket, people do smile more there and are less inclined to rip you off. Its still touristy in some respects but more representative of what you might encounter in Thailand as a whole as opposed to 'tourist-thailand'. If you find somewhere such as 'Smith Residence' (where I have stayed - google it) or the like you're looking at rent in the region of 6-7000 baht on a one month contract for the type of accommodation that you would pay, perhaps, double for in Bangkok; gym (tiny) swimming pool, restaurant etc. Anyway good luck with it. I look forward to seeing your 8 weeks-in video post. I will be genuinely impressed if you can accomplish your mission. :) I would suggest you head north to Chiang Mai. You will struggle to find a beach bungalow type set up that suits your work requirements for anything less than around 20,000 Baht in the tourist areas like Phuket – and even then you would be looking at say Chalong rather than Patong and renting by the month, whilst possible will be considerably more expensive than a 3 month or 6 month contract. Chiang Mai is far more chilled out than Bangkok and Phuket, people do smile more there and are less inclined to rip you off. Its still touristy in some respects but more representative of what you might encounter in Thailand as a whole as opposed to 'tourist-thailand'. If you find somewhere such as 'Smith Residence' (where I have stayed – google it) or the like you're looking at rent in the region of 6-7000 baht on a one month contract for the type of accommodation that you would pay, perhaps, double for in Bangkok; gym (tiny) swimming pool, restaurant etc. Anyway good luck with it. I look forward to seeing your 8 weeks-in video post. I will be genuinely impressed if you can accomplish your mission. :)

]]> By: Renata Capdeville http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-4839 Renata Capdeville Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:35:12 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-4839 I found the description great too.<br>Please, keep bringing these comments about the places and things you are discovering in Thailand! I found the description great too.
Please, keep bringing these comments about the places and things you are discovering in Thailand!

]]> By: Jay http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-4780 Jay Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:06:15 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-4780 Cool, i have heard very good things about Thailand and one day i want to visit it. Though i can definately imagine that it's very challenging to learn the language. Cool, i have heard very good things about Thailand and one day i want to visit it. Though i can definately imagine that it's very challenging to learn the language.

]]> By: Adam http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-4760 Adam Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:45:49 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-4760 A bule treasure hunt in rural west sumatra? Sounds like a hoot! I'm thinkin mid-february might be a good time to come check you guys out for a few days. Have a nice break, and sampai jumpa!<br><br>Adam A bule treasure hunt in rural west sumatra? Sounds like a hoot! I'm thinkin mid-february might be a good time to come check you guys out for a few days. Have a nice break, and sampai jumpa!

Adam

]]> By: travoholic http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-4743 travoholic Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:25:56 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-4743 Hey Adam,<br><br>I'm in KL at the moment until next weekend on my break and don't want to take more time off for another break to Padang but if you want to come to us we're in a town called Sungai Geringging which is just over an hour by bus from Pariaman. I'm not sure how far Pariaman is from Padang but I would guess about the same. Once you get to the town just get on a moto taxi for 3000 and they will assume you're heading to Rumah Asmeda where all the other white people are and drop you right in the driveway. For volunteering info check out the site. If you planned to stay in SG you would need to work but there's no minimum time commitment and it's fun.<br><br>I wouldn't say I'm an Indo expat but it would be great to meet up with someone who is! Hey Adam,

I'm in KL at the moment until next weekend on my break and don't want to take more time off for another break to Padang but if you want to come to us we're in a town called Sungai Geringging which is just over an hour by bus from Pariaman. I'm not sure how far Pariaman is from Padang but I would guess about the same. Once you get to the town just get on a moto taxi for 3000 and they will assume you're heading to Rumah Asmeda where all the other white people are and drop you right in the driveway. For volunteering info check out the site. If you planned to stay in SG you would need to work but there's no minimum time commitment and it's fun.

I wouldn't say I'm an Indo expat but it would be great to meet up with someone who is!

]]> By: Adam http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-4742 Adam Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:17:35 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-4742 @travoholic: Hey, how near Padang are you guys working? I'm down in Bandar Lampung, thinkin about a possible long weekend trip over to Padang. Possibly meet up for some masakan padang with a fellow Indonesian expat? @travoholic: Hey, how near Padang are you guys working? I'm down in Bandar Lampung, thinkin about a possible long weekend trip over to Padang. Possibly meet up for some masakan padang with a fellow Indonesian expat?

]]> By: travoholic http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-4730 travoholic Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:11:48 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-4730 Hey Benny! I have missed reading your blog the past few months but I'm back in KL for a short stint of working and will hopefully get to catch up. Your take on Thailand is refreshing... it's nice to hear someone admit to being a tourist there!<br><br>I think your Thai challenge will be one of your toughest yet and am looking forward to reading about it.<br><br>I'm currently living around the corner in Sumatra a couple of hours from Padang volunteering with <a href="http://www.hodr.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.hodr.org</a>. If you fancy having a crack at Bahasa Indonesia and building houses, stop in for awhile. Otherwise hopefully our paths will cross before I leave Asia.<br><br>Happy language learning! Hey Benny! I have missed reading your blog the past few months but I'm back in KL for a short stint of working and will hopefully get to catch up. Your take on Thailand is refreshing… it's nice to hear someone admit to being a tourist there!

I think your Thai challenge will be one of your toughest yet and am looking forward to reading about it.

I'm currently living around the corner in Sumatra a couple of hours from Padang volunteering with http://www.hodr.org. If you fancy having a crack at Bahasa Indonesia and building houses, stop in for awhile. Otherwise hopefully our paths will cross before I leave Asia.

Happy language learning!

]]> By: Adam http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-4696 Adam Sat, 23 Jan 2010 09:10:47 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-4696 Possibly useful trivia: in some places you don't actually need to insert the card into the slot on the wall to keep the electricity going. Sometimes any sort of card-shaped object will do, such as a business card. Possibly useful trivia: in some places you don't actually need to insert the card into the slot on the wall to keep the electricity going. Sometimes any sort of card-shaped object will do, such as a business card.

]]> By: Pak http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-4692 Pak Sat, 23 Jan 2010 02:02:53 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-4692 I've already seen this kind of card that turns off electricity once in Paris. It took me a few minutes before understanding how to turn the light on. I've already seen this kind of card that turns off electricity once in Paris. It took me a few minutes before understanding how to turn the light on.

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-4673 Benny the Irish polyglot Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:00:39 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-4673 Thanks! I've already left Phuket, but if I pass through it again in my travels I'll try to check out Sai Yuan ;) Thanks! I've already left Phuket, but if I pass through it again in my travels I'll try to check out Sai Yuan ;)

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-4674 Benny the Irish polyglot Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:59:54 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-4674 Thanks for the encouragement :) I'm seeing that the "right place" has less to do with a nice beach and pretty mountains and more to do with the people there; both locals and other travellers. I have some friends with me in Ko Phi Phi right now, so I'm really enjoying myself! (But we are all leaving to other places after a few days..) Thanks for the encouragement :) I'm seeing that the “right place” has less to do with a nice beach and pretty mountains and more to do with the people there; both locals and other travellers. I have some friends with me in Ko Phi Phi right now, so I'm really enjoying myself! (But we are all leaving to other places after a few days..)

]]> By: Janna http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-4594 Janna Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:23:40 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-4594 I like this post! <br>I've never been to Thailand - going there is one of my dreams.<br>I'm sure you will find the right place for you in Thailand!<br>I do also have similar ones in some countries. When I was in Slovenia, for example, I visited Pirano, a small town by the sea. I really fell in love with it. Don't know why, I simply feel great when I'm there.... :)<br><br>Have a nice day! :) I like this post!
I've never been to Thailand – going there is one of my dreams.
I'm sure you will find the right place for you in Thailand!
I do also have similar ones in some countries. When I was in Slovenia, for example, I visited Pirano, a small town by the sea. I really fell in love with it. Don't know why, I simply feel great when I'm there…. :)

Have a nice day! :)

]]> By: martinperry http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-4592 martinperry Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:15:40 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-4592 I'll add my suggestion to the list of places for you to try out, when I used to live in Phuket I stayed down on the south of the Island, in a place called Sai Yuan, it is in-between Rawai and Nai Harn and is a lovely little spot with just the right mix of locals, expats, beach & nightlife and not too far from Patong if you ever fancied a much livelier night out. I'll add my suggestion to the list of places for you to try out, when I used to live in Phuket I stayed down on the south of the Island, in a place called Sai Yuan, it is in-between Rawai and Nai Harn and is a lovely little spot with just the right mix of locals, expats, beach & nightlife and not too far from Patong if you ever fancied a much livelier night out.

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/first-impressions-of-thailand/comment-page-1/#comment-4546 Benny the Irish polyglot Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:12:24 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=1493#comment-4546 Glad someone appreciated the description I gave myself :P When I write the post about why I prefer to travel with a suitcase I may mention some of the crazy 21st century technology I pack that most minimalist light travellers would groan at :D Glad someone appreciated the description I gave myself :P When I write the post about why I prefer to travel with a suitcase I may mention some of the crazy 21st century technology I pack that most minimalist light travellers would groan at :D

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