Thai language has no plurals

Editor;
(Re: Michael Nightingale’s response: “Yes but it is not possible to use the word ‘farangs’ since you cannot pluralise a Thai word. Despite this the error is so frequent that one might begin to think it’s legitimate” in PM Mailbag “When an R is really an N - or an L”, Friday, 08 March 2013) - Michael, you are correct Thai language has no plurals. But as English is my mother language it is the norm for me to use plurals. Speaking or writing in English it’s ok for me to say 10 farangs. However, as Thais have no plurals they fall back to using “classifiers”. The nearest I find in my studies to farang is the fruit known as guava (a pink fleshed fruit about the size of a small apple). If I use the classifier “look” or sometimes “bia” I can write “farang sip look”. Ten guava fruit. If I change the classifier to farang sip “khon” I am changing it to read farang ten person. I enjoy learning to read & write Thai but have a long road ahead of me. I realise I may never become perfect and welcome any constructive criticism.
Bryan Patricks

Respected in village

Editor;
Re: Pattaya officials begin Songkran planning (PM Friday, 01 March 2013) - In my village I expect the young people will have their water fights. Myself, I will be treated with respect befitting my age. I will be approached by someone with a bowl of powder and dab some on my face then sprinkle some water on me. Farangs in Pattaya have no idea what Songkran is all about and behave like it is their right to run around like dyslectic children.
Sean Murphy

Off to Siem Reap

Editor;
Re: Pattaya officials begin Songkran planning (PM Friday, 01 March 2013) - I am off to Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) over Songkran. It is Cambodian New Year too, and they have water throwing, but it is strictly forbidden in tourist areas. So it should be in Pattaya and other tourist areas.
Prakhonchai Nick

No indulgences

Editor;
Re: Government & religion (PM Mailbag, Friday, 01 March 2013) - I do not know of any church that sells indulgences, which was a medieval practice of the RCC. However, a donation might help to get an indulgence. An indulgence, by the way, is simply a token for the old fashioned penance. I support Mr Standiford’s pleas to tax churches 100+%.
Michael Nightingale

I’m Irish, too

Editor;
Re: Pitch in on St Patrick’s Day (PM Mailbag Friday, 01 March 2013) - I am also of Irish heritage. Many Australians are as our forefathers were sent there as prisoners of Mother England.
Before I could think for myself mum would take us all to Mass as it was regarded as a Holy Day. Now we have gone mad with green food colouring. No doubt “Danny Boy” will be sung over & over. But is the song truly Irish? No. In 1910 an English lawyer wrote an “unsuccessful” song by this name. On his American sister in law’s advice he set the lyrics to a tune she heard called Londonderry Air. The song was a great hit with the American Irish, but the newly arrived migrants had never heard of it. It was also a hit with the Northern Irish as it emphised their ties to the British.
Another of my favorite Irish ballads was, “I’ll take you Home again Kathleen”. A song that congers up the thought of someone returning his wife to the Emerald Isle. This one was written by an American whose wife’s name was Jennie. This song bought a tear to my eye whenever mum sang it. You must give these American Mick’s their dues. So get on with the parade and save some of that green 7UP for me.
Bill

Thai language has no plurals

Respected in village

Off to Siem Reap

No indulgences

I’m Irish, too