Thread: Thai names

This may well have been discussed before on the forum but I can't find a reference to it !

Question is

What is the reasoning behind 90% of the Thais having a 'nickname' of one or two syllables instead of using their given name ?
I find it weird that even in press reports their 'nickname' referred to !

Any explanation forthcoming ?

Maybe because their real full names are too much effort to say.

Originally Posted by The Fresh Prince

Maybe because their real full names are too much effort to say.

Indeed. Bangkok for foriegners. Thais, Krung Thep or Krung Thep Mahanakhon beats the hell out of this "official" full name.

Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit

Originally Posted by Norton

Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit

How much of this is written on a Thai number plate. I'm still learning and cant read the 'big' words yet. I get as far as Krungthep and then get completely lost.

Originally Posted by The Fresh Prince

How much of this is written on a Thai number plate

Krung Thep Mahanakhon

กรุงเทพมหานคร

Cheers, I can practice that one in the traffic jam on the way home.

Originally Posted by The Fresh Prince

Originally Posted by Norton

Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit

How much of this is written on a Thai number plate. I'm still learning and cant read the 'big' words yet. I get as far as Krungthep and then get completely lost.

Me too, I easily lose my bearings.

Originally Posted by The Fresh Prince

Originally Posted by Norton

Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit

How much of this is written on a Thai number plate. I'm still learning and cant read the 'big' words yet. I get as far as Krungthep and then get completely lost.

There's a nice catchy kiddie song you can learn to at least remember it.

Originally Posted by The Fresh Prince

Cheers, I can practice that one in the traffic jam on the way home.

Number plates, roadsigns, and especially buses are useful at helping it all come together in the early stages.

Well done.

Keep it up.

Originally Posted by keda

Me too, I easily lose my bearings.

If you see a bunch of these plates as on my car, then you really have lost your bearings.

ร้อยเอ็ด

101

Roiet

Originally Posted by Norton

Originally Posted by The Fresh Prince

Maybe because their real full names are too much effort to say.

Indeed. Bangkok for foriegners. Thais, Krung Thep or Krung Thep Mahanakhon beats the hell out of this "official" full name.

Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit

Show off

Originally Posted by Norton

ร้อยเอ็ด

Nah, when I see them I just think, "Arrrh country boy, they'd better take care in Bangkok"

It seems to me that many Thais just keep their nicknames they are given in childhood and don\'t quite understand that they may not be applicable for adults.

There are adults in Thailand?

Originally Posted by The Fresh Prince

Cheers, I can practice that one in the traffic jam on the way home.

That is exactly how I learned to read Thai. They were building both the skytrain, and the Tollways at that time. Took me two hours a night to get home to Laksi at that time. When you can tell sala I from o you are on the way.

Around a 100 years ago Thais did not have names as such
they had what we would call their nickname as of today
Old habits die hard I suppose
also many of their names are auspiscious sankrit meaning words given to the child based on their birth date and numbers

Originally Posted by Happyman

What is the reasoning behind 90% of the Thais having a 'nickname' of one or two syllables instead of using their given name ? I find it weird that even in press reports their 'nickname' referred to !

Question answered here...

https://teakdoor.com/living-in-thaila...hai-names.html (Thai Names)

I thought that it came from the Chinese custom of giving their children nicknames of "ugly" things, like frog (gop), pig (moo) etc. This was so that the Gods would not get jealous and take away their child (death).

Originally Posted by good2bhappy

Around a 100 years ago Thais did not have names as such
they had what we would call their nickname as of today
Old habits die hard I suppose
also many of their names are auspiscious sankrit meaning words given to the child based on their birth date and numbers

The Soi 49 Samitivej fracture clinic has a "Kay Sara Sara". I suppose this could be Sanskrit but I have my doubts...

If your real name is "Turdsak" or "Tittiporn", you'd prefer a nickname.

Originally Posted by kmart

If your real name is "Turdsak" or "Tittiporn", you'd prefer a nickname.

Absolutely. "Turd" or "Titti"

^^Haha. I met a "Turdtoon" during work recently. He insisted that i call him "Turd" during our meeting. I couldn't keep a straight face for the duration.

Originally Posted by kmart

I met a "Turdtoon" during work recently.

A lot of Pornthips around as well. Kittiporn, another popular Thai name will assure close scrutiny of ones notebook hard drive upon entry into most western nations.

Originally Posted by kmart

If your real name is "Turdsak" or "Tittiporn", you'd prefer a nickname.

There's a Doc here in Chalong Phuket
Dr Titti, get your mouth round that