Thailand

Literature
  Thai language is the
official language of 
Thailand, one could say
Language English is its unofficial
second language. 
  The Thai language features five tones: high, mid,
low, rising, and falling, each of which changes the
meaning of particular ‘words’.  Visitors unfamiliar
with tonal languages often have difficulty
pronouncing even the most basic terms when learning
to speak Thai, but with some practice visitors find that
Thai people enjoy helping them with their
Language pronunciation of the Thai language. Written Thai is
based on an alphabet adopted from the Khmers of
Cambodia and is said to have become standardized
during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng during the 
Sukhothai period. 
 CULTURE
• The traditional thai greeting the
“wai” is generally offered first by
the younger of the two people
meeting, with their hands pressed
together, fingertips pointing
upwards as the head is bowed to
touch face to finger tips, usually
coinciding with the spoken words
“sawatdi khrap” for male
speakers, and “sawatdi kha” for
females 4
Literature

Thai Literature was traditionally heavily

influenced by Indian culture. Thailand’s
national epic is a version of the Ramayana
called the Ramakien.
Literature

The most important poet in Thai literature

was Sunthorn Phu, who is best known for his
romantic adventure story Phra Aphai Mani
and nine travel pieces called Nirats.
Boatman’s Love Song?

~
1. What descriptions can you
give to the feelings of the
boatman?
2. What does the chorus
mean? Does it support the
poet's view on love? Why?
3. Which part of the song
appealed you the most? Justify
you?
4. What is the mood of the
song? Does it affect on your
mood also?
5. Compare the feelings of the
boatman to the feelings of
Filipinos
6. How will you express
romantic love in deeper and
enduring ways?