Intermediate Thai: Reading excercises

Intermediate Thai Reading Exercises

Intermediate Thai Reading Exercises

Jacob Y. de Groot

Prince of Songkhla University, Phuket Campus 2010

Text: Copyright © Jacob Y. de Groot 2010 Illustrations: Copyright © Jacob Y. de Groot 2010 Jacob Y. de Groot has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

Contents:

ประสบการณประหลาด ณ นครศรธรรมราช

มอปนงมงาม เซอซา ซมซาม

อญมณแหงเมองโบราณ

PSU 2010

ประสบการณประหลาด ณ นครศรธรรมราช และเรองอน ๆ

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experience

strange, unusual, odd, peculiar

at, by, upon, in, near

Nakhon Si Thammarat, a city in Southern

Thailand

1. Mr.; 2. master; owner, chief; commander

lady. Paired with - ‘gentleman’

Pak Phanang, a coastal town in Nakhon Si

Thammarat province

Southern Thailand. Also

to graduate

faculty (of a university)

marine engineer; ship mechanical engineer

everything

marine technology; naval engineering

screw shaft tunnel

spare (second) machine room

along ship strut

professor

the level of doctor (academic with a

doctorate degree)

to be able to; to can []

to be lazy

short for - university

to build a ship

especially; in particular

super tanker (ULCC)

cargo ship : 1. to load and transport

2. to carry and transport

oil

of an giant size

to be certain; certain...

his own sweetheart


6

1. whoever

2. ‘the people’, ‘everybody’

will not have the opportunity to gossip;

won’t gossip

‘pureness of heart’: honourable intentions

Saturday

the beach of Pak Phanang

Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

area, part, region

The Southern part of Thailand (also: )

The Southerners; the inhabitants of the

Southern Peninsula

The Southern part of Thailand (also: )

...is also possible; Here: or rather, or also

fierce, harsh, ferocious

‘to call the things by their name’, ‘to tell

things as they are’, ‘to speak frankly

to be fair

to be very adapt (at), very good (at)

travel (as activity)

very amusing, very entertaining

1. to imagine; 2. thought, meditation,

reflection

to imagine that, pretend to do/be...

Siam

princess

person; use here as relative pronoun: who

beautiful and majestic

classifier for monks and persons of royal

blood

lady -in-waiting; assistant or governess of a

princess or a queen

to tell

therefore; so, then, thus; hence, in that

manner

abbreviation of


7

1. then, therefore, thence, consequently

2. only ... when (...)

3. not ... until (...);

‘fish kidney curry’. is in fact the hard

tissue in the innards of a fish

cashew nut curry

shrimps fried with ‘sator’ beans (parkia

speciosa)

‘Chang’-beer

‘Singha-draft’ beer

tin

to lie, to speak untruths

as tasty as this

the preparation of Southern Thai food

another art; a special art

expert

(that’s) easy...; (that’s) a piece of cake

1. immediately; 2. suddenly

... to put on serious airs, fitting with...

position, rank

here: at the same time

to speak solemnly, to make a solemn

statement

with a noble, clear voice

you (here: by a highly placed person to a

knave)

while

to ingest food; to eat ()

yes; true (said by princesses, queens and

female nobility)

if, in case

lady-in waiting

to decapitate

to decapitate and to stick the head on a pike

as a warning to others - ‘to skewer’;


8

- ‘to humiliate or dishonour publicly)

together and at the same time

to bow the head

to smile drily

idiom: to fit together ‘like a hobo and a

flute’, to fit well together

1. to perform a play, to play-act; 2. to pretend

1. to go through; to wade through; 2. let’s go

forth; 3’ ‘let’s do it’ (a particle used to instigate further action)

to walk as ‘’; a posture in Thai boxing

not so ... yet

to develop, developed

the main part; the greater part; the lion’s

share

couples; pairs of lovers

‘to renovate’+ ‘to repair; to be in renovation,

to be being built

no problem


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The Gulf of Thailand

clear, transparent, pure

ghost hotel

1. before; 2. until

residence; resting place, lodgings,

accommodation

resort

bungalow

club; club building such as night club,

society club

a lot; ‘full of...’

1.classic, antique 2. old fashioned,

outdated

a little bit

atmosphere

romantic

to offer 24 hour service; 24 hour

service

bath; bathing basin

1. lotus pod; 2. shower head

1. servant; 2. waiter

to behave onself ; to do (as)

impertinent, insolent; provocative

playboy; flirt

to have no luck

‘Ao Thai Beach Resort’

signboard

resort

to feel irritated

1. because; 2. melodious, sweet-sounding

not able to find (‘seek-not-find’)

joyfully talking


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to notice

wooden sign

classifier flat things

on which is written

“Hotel Ao Thai Sai’

old fashioned script

1. elegant 2. free and easy 3. attractive

looking, pretty

to have real bad luck (idiom)

more and more

yet; still

to see; to look (at); to perceive

grey hair; white hair (from age)

to wear (of trousers, et cetera)

short loincloth, used for different purposes

with a pattern (striped, checkered, etc.)

curve in the road

straight ahead... straight aheaeead...

electric lamp, light bulb

to decorate, to adorn, to embellish

to hang as a garland all around

roof

wall

motor; machine

music

fragments of rapid music; (: 1. quick

and fluent; 2. in fragments)

to be left open

to intend to; to concentrate on

to listen, to hear

so that, therefore, thence, consequently;

particle that indicates a result

song

to sing


14

singer

1. loud 2. to sound

in the past

Khamron Sambunyananon, a singer from

the nineteen thirties and - forties

very melodious, sweet-sounding

(compare )

to ponder, to consider, to meditate

in the past; in bygone times

to build ()

built from

brick

teak wood

luxuriously arranged/decorated

(member of the) personnel; staff

to welcome

to bow the head

to clean

1. to sweep; 2. to brush

desk; work bench

computer

registration book; guest book

to raise the head

to stand right in front (of)

to start; to be suddenly startled

but not for long

to regain one’s senses

like before

to relax; to easy oneself; to take it easy

listen!

to play a song on a device (gramophone,

band recorder or cd player)

gramophone

needle


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corner

very old model that’s not used any more

trumpet-shaped loudspeaker

to adjust, to set, to put in order

to be happy and contented

in a humble manner

to smile amusedly

last, final

abbreviation of

abbreviation of

extraordinary

fish

fresh

taste

after... has been done/ is ready

short of stature, short, low

to wear a moustache; to grow a moustache

in the time of His Royal Highness

King Chulalongkorn the Great

to prefer; to favour, to like; to admire, to

esteem

brand

the Southern part of Siam

very polite and old fashioned form of

‘’

Amarit beer

the colony of Malaya; British Malaya

is also possible; can also be

pressed fruit juice

to look surprised at

1. a moment later 2. in a moment

ice

bucket, tank


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1. to think, to consider 2. to count, to add

together, with each other

ten Baht and en thirty-five Satang

vééry cheap

extremely old-fashioned


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bath tub

copper

shower head

flower garland

to lie (on); to be put (on)

a delicious sweet scent

radio

contentedness

television

very luxurious

bank note

classifier for bank notes

modern model, modern design

post card

1. aforementioned; 2. as mentionede,

newspaper

classifier for newspapers

to pick up; to take up; to take hold of

head of a news article

soldier

30.000

1. army 2. troops

very old; incredibly old (slang)

21 march 2480 (1937)

new and fresh

1. the next morning 2. tomorrow

morning

mosquito

1. to bite 2. to sting (of an insect)

to be terribly startled

to hardly believe your eyes

to lie in rubble; to be completely ruined


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rotted and putrid; decomposed

to break

1. finished; 2. completely

ceiling

chalk; stucco, cement

1. swollen, blown up 2. blister

3. boil, blister (in stucco, wallpaper etc.)

moist, wet

rust

to be full of rust

mattress

remains of cloth

to be left; to remain

to take a look around; to let your eyes go

round (: to sweep)

paper

label; tag

to disappear

to bend over and look

soft and fragrant

as before

precisely at that moment (idiom)


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situation, circumstance

inside the room

the walls look ....

rotten and putrid

confused, perplexed, flabbergasted

to pull a face as one sees a ghost enter

to cover the eyes with the hands

the other hand

to point

a ‘hungry ghost’; here: expression of

disgust

to jump

together at the same time

although (they) hadn’t dressed, yet

to scream, to call out

to happen

what’s happened!; what’s happening!

crazy ghost (used as a mild curse:

(you’re) crazy!

1.devil 2. naughty boy/girl

printed in the year 2480 (1937)

the whole way

near/in the curve in the road

look at that!

(in) the past

darling


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to meet with; to experience

happening, occurrence, incident

to wake up in a ravaged room

1. ta fall into ruin 2. havocked,

demolished, ravaged

more that whoever

and how; and why (spoken language)

to return in the wrong direction

times past; a gone era

world war

the time before the world war

only, just

only, just

‘to cut the flag’. To be certain of

something, to be decidedly so (slang- idiom)

ghost hotel

to fall

porch, balcony

to take hold of, to pick up, to clutch

to be terribly startled/frightened

bank note

(during) the past evening; yesterday

evening

to disappear; to make oneself disappear

1. to tremble for fear; to be excited; 2. to

feel a strong sensation (tension, fear, excitement); to feel a jolt of adrenaline going through one’s veins; 4. = : to be hit by a jolt of sexual arousement

1. to feel a strong sensation (of happiness,

fear, excitement)

terribly, very much, the most

ยากอบ เดอะโครต

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3

4

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Vocabulary Chapter 1

hired killer; literally: „gun hand‟

clumsy. awkward; sluggish

blundering; stupid

tactless, clumsy, faltering; ungraceful

office, bureau; offices

editor‟s department

fashion designer („‟: to design)

secretary

the people, the crowd; population

intelligent, acute and bright

office

suddenly

to be skilful; skilled, expert in, dexterous,

deft, adroit

muscle

male fashion model

scar; „trace of a wound‟

1. line; 2. strand (hair); 3. rope; 4. stripe,

streak; 6. vein, artery; 7. nerve; 8 class-

ifier for the above

to drag, to pull, to haul

lip

eye, eyeball

to be troubled, to be distressed, to feel

anxious; to be in trouble

to be strained, to be nervous

to be happy

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here it is...; this is it...; it‟s just this…

to be unmoved; to be indifferent; to be

apathetic; to be impartial; to be still; to be

silent

normally, usually

to be put up against; to be put/set against

rank (military, police)

to be famous; to have a well-known name

politician

influence, power

tu support, to back (up); to sustain; to

reinforce; to help

silent; motionless

1. to hide; to conceal; 2. sneakily

1. at will; 2. lascivious, lustful 3. careless

tray

to expect, to anticipate

You. Personal pronoun 2nd

for men who

are close friends

you. Personal pronoun 2nd person used

by close friends

I. Personal pronoun 1st person. Old

fashioned, but still used in some social

groups

1. joke 2. unimportant issue

to take care of; to look after

to protect

the suspect (of a crime)

to stay close in order to watch

terrible, abominable (slang: ‘deep shit’)

to incarcerate, to imprison, to confine

hand-cuffs

to sigh deeply

1. to deny 2. to refuse

to agree (with)

exclamation (for emphasis, surprise,

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indignation, etc.). Sounds aggressive and

impolite except wehen used with close

friends

1. per se 2. to push, to force, to insist

3. to push, to push forward 4. to run to

and fro, to be a busybody

to involve oneself in an irritating manner;

( + verb: „irritatingly doing what the

verb describes); to butt in; to intrude

to have a lust for; to like to...

all together (the word indicated doing

something together at the same moment)

serious

case; court case; legal case

criminal case

1. to relax; to alleviate 2. to ease up

to be willing to; to allow

to be afraid to offend someone; to be

afraid to get someone into trouble; to be

afraid to impose on someone

with full employ of all effort; willingly

to smile sweetly

to observe, to notice

1. to be transparant; 2. to be clear

stern, sulky face

to be placed (of an object)

not to be able to stand (something); not

able to keep on (doeing something)

motionless and still

as a statue

1. to suck 2. to inhale, pull on a cigarette,

to smoke

prudent, careful, cautious; calm

clear, distict

1. to suspect; to be suspicious (of) 2. to

doubt, to be sceptical about

contact person; police spy, „stool pidgeon‟

(slang)

8

intermediate between „contractor‟ and the

„executor‟ of a contracted killing

circles, millieu; group of like-minded

people (criminal, academic etc.)

to accept to perform a kill (for money); to

get hired as a gunman

to explain

which, that (relative pronoun)

strong, strapping, robust

intermediate between „contractor‟ and the

„executor‟ of a contracted killing

work, task, case

1. part, slice, piece 2. classifier for work,

case, task

1. to give; 2. to bestow; 3. to entrust, to

delegate; 4. to present

evidence

1. body, corpse, mortal remains

2. classifier for dead people

...is also possible

to have stopped counting

in truth; according to the truth

contract for a hired kill

to enter until; to have accession to

the system of working units

connections

„godfather‟; leader of a criminal

organization in Thailand

1. Chinese (maffia) boss 2. rich Chinese

shop owner

triad, tong (secret Chinese criminal

organisation

big boss; man in power; the mighty people

in short...

1. disclose, to reveal, to divulge; 2. to

„sing‟, to „leak‟

it‟s like that; you‟re right; that‟s how it is

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to pull out the fingernails

to hate

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11

12

13


1. to open the mouth 2. with open mouth

(from surprise, disbelief etc.)

sound indicating a positive answer; „yes‟

Yes? Really?; is that true?

to speak; to say, to talk

secret information

reason; cause

it‟s like this; this is how it came about

1. to refuse 2. to deny

to talk emphatically, clearly

to add something to what has been said; to

add and emphasize (in words)

to force, to compel

1. although 2. here: even if

to talk face to face; to confront in person

to be willing to

to reveal, to xpose, to uncover

to interrupt (speech)

reason, cause

while, as; at the same time

to admire, to praise

1. to be worried; 2. warm, full of

sympathy

the people, tha masses; the population

a well known person; a popular person

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imagination, fancy; vision

to fantasize; to form (onseself) a picture

except

disease of the mind; to be crazy

people who like to stalk women

to be chosen (as a victim)

agent, representative

to be addicted to sex; a pervert

prison, gaol (slang)

fast, quick

situation

suppose that...

absolutely certain

to turn one‟s face

to know (polite; official)

to sigh

1. to permit 2. to admit

1. to admit 2. to give up 3. to succumb to

gangster, criminal, scoundrel

not able to suppress a smile

after ... is finished

imprisoned for life

capital punishment

1. to realize 2. to recall, to remember

uneasy; to feel uneasy

to be concerned about

to be worried

1. to accuse; 2. to charge; to sue; 3. to

inform against

to say

gentle, tender, soft; friendly

to smile intensely happy; to be all smile

outsider; someone who hasn‟t anything to

do with it

15

expression of indignation or surprise

1. to keep, to upkeep 2. to safeguard

to keep a secret

central (police) station

special unit of the Thai police; „Crime

Suppression Division‟; the Thai FBI

Phaholyotin Road

administrative unit in Bangkok; district

the district of Saphan Khwai

to disguise oneself

to camouflage; to make unseen

1. to spy 2. to reconnoitre; 3. to poste

black glasses, sunglasses

wig

lady‟s outfit consisting of jacket and skirt

the brand “Chanel”

pantyhose; stockings

shoes with high heels

somebody else;another person

security officer (of the police station)

1. hall 2. large room

1. to miss 2. to fail

fail to notice; fail to see

to greet

Mr. Police Colonel (abbreviation of

„‟)

expression of dismay, shock,

disappointment, etc.

to call out

1. beautiful, attractive, sexy 2. stylish

the truth is that...

to be on time

manner, method

the way in which to behave

16

strategy, plan, planning

room with glass walls

to lead to

opening to a corridor

row

wall

office

chirurg

to cut open; to cut into pieces

to skin

as an animal (litterally: like a pig like a

dog)

to glance at; to look sideways at

frightening; terrible

the bastard!

prisoner

Scotch whisky

to ask permission

1. take off (glasses, hat, clothes)

to look like...

first, before

suspect

who, which (relative pronoun)

evidence

the following; which is as following

fisherman

1. market saleswoman 2. female owner of

a small shop

Military Academy

to send away, to dismiss, to free

active service

unhonourable

assignment to assassinate someone

neighbour

17

manner, method

monstrous, repugnant, hideous

India

to work together

infamous

Charles Sobraj1

to travel to and fro

an unknown number

Malaysia

to admit

to confirm

in the end, eventually

brothel

1 Charles Sobraj was an infamous Indian gangster and serial killer who operated in Thailand, Malaysia,

India, Nepal and France.

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19

20

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1. to be feel nauseated; 2. to be nauseated

by something

to lift the head; to turn one‟s face up

a beast in the shape of a man; a wolf in

sheep‟s clothing

should; should be

the nation would become better; it would

profit the nation

to tell that, to say that

„the police‟, „the police authorities‟

information

to reach inside and pull it out of his mouth

(- 'to reach deep inside (pocket, hole,

etc.)‟)

naughty

more polite form of „‟

1. would want to 2. to be adequate 3. on

the moment on which....

1. the authorities; 2. official

22

the hardest labour

the first assignment

point on a list; clause

wrong, false, incorrect

to excuse oneself) on forehand

certain for the full 100%

underground cell or prison

moist, humid, wet

dark

to shine (by a lamp or other source of

light)

captive, prisoner

lonely, isolated

toilet

1. moreover, also 2. extra; to give

something extra; 3. to add

wood

1. very close; 2. against

cage

pushed tightly against

bars of a pison cell

a cushion to sit on

mentioned before

walkie-talkie

bright light

neon tube

to spread light

bathed (in light and) clearly visible

to blink (the eyes)

to close the eyes

second

to be used to

to leave, to let go

eyesight, sight

23

to stare back

more ... than thought

intelligent and sharp

murderer

market salesman

(in) general; common

foreman on a building site

here: really, very much, enormously

ice-cold

cold and without feeling

without soul

this here

the glance of a tiger; the glance of a

bandit

short-tempered voice

spirit, mind, heart

powerful, mighty; stong, steadfast

behaviour; manner; action; expression

to move (oneself); to shift

one or the other

even a little bit

only so much

„unlike what one expected, there was

power hidden in him‟ (- here:

against expectation)

to suffer from a severe mental ilness

to imprison (in a cel), to confine, to shut

in

not different from

to be able to do something to her

to manage, to deal, to handle

business, duty, affair

to lament; to complain; to groan

tape recorder; voice recorder

24

portable; of the portable type

1. to hand; 2. to extend 3. to offer

behind the door

he (derogatory); that bastard

to come closer; to near

to touch; to connect; to feel

safe

to feel threatened

immediately

to look (someone) straight in the eye

prisoner, inmate

to knock, to hit

pistol holster

pistol, revolver

to insert, to stick, to tuck

the side of the body

to lock

1. to trust; to believe in; 3. to feel safe

to glance aside; to glimpse at

behind bars

facial expression and manners

to (still) have the audacity

to smile at

shocked and surprised

smile

as before; as ever

even more

1. to become friends with; to have

friendly ties with 2. to behave amically

to pose (oneself) of as a friend

solution, way out

to be easy on the ears

to look down on; to insult

25

lonely

1. to be determined (to); to intend; to

mean; 2. to concentrate

direct

to kill people like vegetables and fish

(to kill ruthlessly)

„That‟s good‟; „Let it be like this‟

1. to easily become afraid; 2. coward

1. to be easily startled 2. easily startled

person

act as if you‟ll leave

immediately visible result

to answer („to answer‟

„to answer‟)

immediately

to speak entreatingly; to plead

to spark, to flash, to sparkle

hier: uitstralen (v. licht); schitteren

to stand up

to watch until you get bored

the real person from the picture

to promise; to say (in order) to get merit

an empty expression in the eyes

worried

rumour

to harm, to do bad things (to someone)

1. to say without thinking 2; to speak in

a lifeless manner

„thank you for your friendliness

to chuckle

to shrug

criminal circles; the criminal circuit

hero

sceptic

26

that awkward, silly, clumsy hitman

that whole department full of

policemen

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28

29

30


yes; a sound made for a positive answer

O.K.; all right

1. to avert the eyes 2. to stop looking at

to look up

ceiling

prison cell

to inhale deeply; to take a deep breath

to take on contracts to kill people

fishing trawler

classifier for ships, airplanes and long

hollow objects like bamboo stakes

village

to die a violent death

1. appointment 2. contract

„to extinguish life‟: to kill someone

1. to reward, to compensate 2.to

reciprocate

reward, compensation

to pay a fine price

1. strategy 2. plan 3. scheme

to be able to buy for a low price

to record clearly (on tape)

to have arrived at the important part

that Mr. Bancha; that guy Bancha

partner, buddy, pal

1. old friend 2. good friend in difficult

times

word prefixed to a noun or proper name

giving it an unfavourable meaning:

„rotten - ‟, „bastard -‟ + noun/name

to count money

bank note

a hundred Baht note

31

1. to be full of 2. to be much/many; 3. to

have a lot of

idiom: „since birth‟; „my whole life‟

1. terribly, enormously 2. (here:) curse:

damned much; a fucking lot

damned rich

to appear; to emerge (from)

to pull a perplexed face

never expected

„to draw a line through someone‟s

horoscope/life expectancy‟; to kill

someone

horoscope; destiny; fortune

to tear someone‟s fortune/ destiny apart

to draw (a gun)

to open the eyes helplessly

here: almost

1. to look like 2. probably, maybe

to cry like a puppy

innocent

to know that; to be knowledgeable of the

fact that...

rule; law

1. to be trusted, trustworthy; 2 miraculous

quick, fast

1. victim 2. bait

cruel and terrible

1. to affect; to influence; to impact on;

2. to be of use

to promote; to be promoted in position

to move

to go up, to slide up; to promote

the frontline; the first position

according to.... you‟ll get back in kind

(whatever you do/give, you‟ll get back in

kind)

32

only so high can you come

puppy

to feel annoyed; to feel irritated

„dammit‟ (as an addition to an expression)

the first bullet

breast

to fall down

1. to wrigle, to writhe, to squirm; 2. to

dance (wildly)

like an eel that has been hit on the head

easy to kill

to endure (things) like a buffalo

to hide and flee for death

hier: „to shoot down‟ (slang)

1. completely 2. straight, direct

„- „to shoot down straight‟

in the middle of the back

hier: to shoot from a close distance; „in a

manner in which the hairs on the skin are

singed‟; to shoot with the barrel against

someone‟s skin

to stream

to flood (with blood; with tears)

to be silent; to keep silent

to shake the head

to lie down

to fetch; to pick up; to take

to stuff inside

probably (short for )

to flee hurriedly; to flee the scene (

to jump up)

1. deck of a ship 2. veranda

to jump into the water

1. to push 2. to meddle in other people‟s

business 3. to intrude, to butt in 4. to be

stupid enough as to...

33

swim

to float; to tread water (to stay above

water without being able to swim)

to float in the water

too late

to reproach yourself; to blame yourself

incredibly stupid

until almost arrived at

to realize that

pushed away, slipped out and disappeared

very bad; incredible bad luck (slang)

to inform the police

1. to suspect 2. probably, suspectedly

to sum up, to conclude

opinion

in an easy manner

accusation, allegation

to surrender

shooting at each other (-

to fight back, to go into the offensive)

to shoot at

the contract money for the murder

to change into; o become

illusion

a past dream; a unfulfilled dream

1. to insist 2. to push 3. to be very busy

4. (here) to force

to slaughter, to annihilate

classifier for guns, pistols etc.

finger prints

o, shit!; o, god!; dammit

terribly bad and shitty

getting worse and worse; unexpectedly

growing worse and worse

34

to fail; to miss; to blunder

„how‟s that possible?‟

and then, consequently

to laugh loudly

younger sister (quite intimate if used as a

form of address towards strangers; more

so than just‘’)

to relax, to ease up

as if it is a....

fingerprint

1. to fear 2; to be afraid; 3. to be in awe of

contractor, employer, boss

‟ „what to do now...‟

to disappear without a trace ( -

evade face, - evade body (to

become invisible)

case; investigation (police); legal case

until

beautiful lady

evidence

eventually

to be of the opinion that

1. to come to the conclusion 2. to sum up

to describe in fitting words; to conclude

neatly

to arrest, to capture; to seize

to make an arrest

defy; desist order; resist, disobey

extrajudicial kill; to murder legally

very annoying; very uncomfortable

do something that you want; do as you

want

to flee

dam

Pranburi, a town in Western Thailand

35

hut, small house, hovel

well, waterhole

the very worst

cold blooded

in reality, in fact

insect

scorpion

spider

monitor lizard

jungle cat

to crawl, to move slowly

Karen; a people living on the Thai-

Birmese border

bush people

honey ( - bee)

spoiled, bad, rotten

rotted, spoiled

to kick out

so it is!; it‟s like that!; exactly

a smart thought

to choose

the village of Ban Pala Ulang

the town of Sam Roi Yod

to remember

situation

a tiger in trouble

not to be able to suppress a laugh

36

37

38

39

40


1. to flee; 2. to leap, to jump

1. to let go; 2. to release; 3. to set free

income; salary

to lose a source of income

alone; on one‟s own

tribe, clan; race

clan member

to try to get to know something

1. to evade; 2. to avoid; 3. to flee

()

eventually, in the end

to force

to marry

„that woman Black Monkey‟

„that women‟, „that broad‟

„until you wither and die‟; „until the bitter

end‟

absolutely; without doubt

curse: „dammit‟

„worse and worse every time,really‟

to look at intensely

to take by the nose; to take for a fool

who would believe that...

to exaggerate; to present things better or

worse than they are (slang; from

English: „over‟)

o, jeez!; what now!

stupid, dumb

honestly, truly; like it really is

let‟s agree on it like this

to turn around; to address ... anew

to be irritated, to be moody

immediately (

: to answer immediately)

41

to decide

personal weapon (as in the military

expression)

to smile

to scratch one‟s head with the points of

one‟s nails (to express surprise, doubt,

etc.)

to discover; to find out

to find out the truth

1. spark; 2. flash; 3. sparkle

jet black

beautiful woman

golden opportunity; golden age

economic war

suddenly

profit

1. circle; sphere; 2. (social) circles

criminal circles; criminal society

to profit (from others)

gangster, thug

„godfather‟; boss of a mafia emporium

the Yaowarat Mafia

rich and powerful man; millionnaire

gangsters in all sorts and shapes (literally

the tigers, the lions, the wild oxes and the

rhinoceroses‟)2

the water buffaloes3

to suck money towards oneself

influence

capitalist

industry

2 The animal names indicate different kinds of gangsters. „Tiger‟ is the normal name for „gangster‟; a

„lion‟ is a gangster trying to encroach into other gangsters‟ territory. A „wild ox‟ is a strong bodyguard,

while the the term „rhinoceros‟ is used for rude and insensitive people in general. 3 The term „water buffalo‟ is used for very stupid and stubborn people in general.

42

to develop building projects

the military

1. to compete, to contend with; 2. to race

one of the camps; one of the factions

a bit too often

to make profit

to lose

to win

to pay the money back; to pay money in

stead

„bullets in stead of money‟ (slang)

to pull a sly face

honest; trustworthy; upright; virtuous

actor; actress

now when thinking about this...

United Nations

1. „what a pity‟; 2. to deplore, to regret

„girly‟; „kiddo‟; „lassie‟

with a loud voice

you (familiar/impolite)

competitors, contenders

the one with bad fate; the unlucky one

person of mixed blood; halfbreed

victim

person

„oldere brother‟; „boss‟ (Teo Chiew-

Chinese (Chaozhou))

paper envelope

1. to contain; 2. to load

target; goal

to slaughter, to kill

after the work has been done

weapon

here: classifier for fire arms

43

a defect, a flaw

1. to delegate; to offer; to entrust;

triad, Chinese secret organisation

the one who decides on what‟s happening

in the criminal world4

„the City‟; popular name for Bangkok

warlord

head of a triad

„like a spider in its web‟ (literally: as the

spider who has the power over weaving

its web)

to have contact with, to associate with

to swear; to promise

out of free will; by making up one‟s own

mind

() executioner

to imprison, to confine

a secret

to be determined to listen well

beautiful and elegant

information

maybe; it could be possible (that)

every word and every sentence

1. nervous; 2. agitated; 3. ill at ease

1. to announce new; to make a news

statement (to the media)

to get into danger; to be brought into

danger

safe

T.V.- interview

to get involved in

chit, ticket, bill of exchange

appearence, figure, shape

4 „‟: generally used for „movie director‟ (short for )

44

nimph from paradise

1. attractive; 2. fascinating

no/not ... , but if (on the contrary) ...

to admire

1. to praise, to laud; 2. to admire; 3. to

glorify

to admit (a crime)

to do, to act, to perform

to be perplexed, to be flabbergasted

to doubt, to suspect; doubt, suspicion

tears

drop

„tiger‟s tears‟: false tears

to be finished

„whether it will be...‟

long (time)

to reminisce, to remember

feeling of pity

1.moving; 2. impressive; 3, (here)

pressing

now, at this moment, present (ly)

painful eyes; burning eyes

1. to hide; 2. to suppress

weakness

45

46

47

48

49

50


1. wife, missus (impolite or familiar)

2. broad, girlfriend

to have sexual intercourse (rude slang)

to love sex; to be addicted to sex

to ask for forgiveness; „sorry‟,

to talk rude

to make society better (more fair, more

just, more righteous)

the waste of society; the debris of society

contract letter to have someone killed

to extinguish life; to kill

woman, wife (rude)

from „‟; condominium;

luxury flat

51

one each

ennemy

schedule for daily life; fixed rythm for

daily life

Din Daeng, an area in Bangkok

1. meeting 2. to meet in a meeting

Chinese businessmen with links to the

trieds; important figures within the trieds

Yannawa, an area in Bangkok

in the middle of the day

Bangkapi, an area in Bangkok

Talat Phlu, an area in Bangkok

Mercedes Benz

Landrover

Toyota

car registration plate

windshield

UV protection layer (film)

in the mean time

to drive away in different directions

to carry on the body

mobile phone

underling, subordinate, henchman

to hide oneself

1. to be alert; to be sharp 2. to be ready

for something

to be unyielding; to be steadfast

to find an opportunity

chance is with...; to have fate on one‟s

side

ramk, class, position

to live, to reside

Thanon Phitsanulok, a street in

Bangkok

Dusit, an area in Bangkok

52

to record a (sound) tape

to disturb, to bother

confession

to protest

here: to try

1. sad; 2. demotivated

1. to solve; 2. to open; 3. to unfold; 4. to

turn (key)

deep secret

policeman of the highest class

to can, to be able to

to solve a case

murder; murder case

Jimmy Hoffa

United States of America

1. super-, first class; very best 2. really,

very, terribly

arrogant; self-important

bright, shining, radiant

to turn, to return, to turn back

to blink (with the eye)

to bow (the head)

way to say farewell

at the same time with

in-ear headphone; small microphone for

in the ear

very small, minuscule

the cell cage in the underground cave

short; brusque, curt

transmitter for listening in to other

people‟s conversations ( - to

eavesdrop)

empty words; meaningless sentences

here: effect

mild, delicate, soft

53

romantic

to achieve the opposite

1. sinister 2. bad, develish 3. disastrous

not exist in reality (not having a real body)

1. to deny 2. to refuse

sea captain

vague, ambiguous

detailed

„when (you) see it‟

„when (you) feel it‟

Department of Police

to be proud of oneself

to boast

to take credit for other people‟s actions

(to take credit and honour for work that

has been done by others)

disease of the mind

psychiatrist

to be innocent; to be free of mistakes

way of handling; way to take care of

things

to pour

very thirsty

until one‟s throat goes dry

talent

the organisation of work (task)

to deceive, to dupe

1. to laugh loudly 2. to laugh with a high

voice

to test the intelligence

to play games with the mind

to have a sharp mind; to have keen

thoughts

dumb, stupid

54

to go on and on in the same way

without goal; senseless

effort

to talk; to say something; to tell

information

more; extra

„the filthy bastards‟

to think; to expect

to make contact through

police badge

especially; only

bad guy

1. motive 2. intention, goal

1. to comfort; 2 to pacify, to calm

hall

to greet each other with a „wai‟

to sacrifice time, to use free time

to help

the state

„Robinson‟ shopping mall

special skill

extra, more

to urinate

1. amazing 2. impressive

the „Mangpong‟-store; a chain of DVD,

VCD and CD stores5

canvas shoes

1. to pile up 2. to put together

(hair) gel

modern (young) girl/boy

city girl/boy

5 In all large cities in Thailand one finds „Mangpong‟ ( - ) franchises, recognizable

from the scorpion logo. Mangpong handles a large percentage of CD and DVD production in Thailand,

and sells its products in its own shops.

55

1. to go out with no particular place in

mind

„Being outdone‟; „At a disadvantage‟:

book title of Wasit Dechakhunchorn

Wasit Dechakhunchorn; writer of crime

novels

Rat Burana District

road restaurant (restaurant along the

highway)

the universe; space

to glance around

to follow; to follow a trail; to be on

someone‟s heels

to follow (someone) in secret

to mislead, to camouflage; to delude; to

make indistict

the Chao Phaya rivier

Rama IV Road

Soi Yen Akat ( )

laugh about oneself in secret

actions, deeds

secret undercover state commando

naughty child

„Buppha Ratree‟, a horror comedy

in high spirits, cheerful

to feel uncomfortable; to feel stifled

1. to deny, to refuse 2. here: not willing to

here: to leave behind, to leave alone

here: to excuse oneself

to have a nightmare

swollen by rotting and tender through

putrifaction

to wake up with a shock

to hug, to embrace

to have been separated for a long time

to bend over and look at

56

to stroke the head; to caress the head

to cherish

to uter a word

expanse of time

warm

to sob

2

Copyright J.Y. de Groot 2010

3

4

5

jewel

Ayutthaya (The Revered City of Holy Ayutthaya) in the year

() abbreviation in front of the year of the Buddhist Era (B.E.)

6

army

1. enemy 2. enemy power 3. the enemy’s army 1. to surround 2. to besiege

wall, city wall

capital city; Royal City

bullet; cannon ball; projectile

steel

flame, tongue of fire, blaze

cannon

to shoot at

continually, without pause

palace

Prang; Chedi (Buddhist structure) in Khmer-style Chedi (Buddhist structure)

1. even; 2. although

1. strike against, to clash with; to hit with a bang; 2. until; 3. through; 4. till; 5. as far as 4. to conflict with, to contradict 1. to destroy; 2. to eliminate; 3. to lose; 4. to damage to destroy, to demolish, to shatter

cannon ball

enemy

the sound of explosions

loudly reverberating; loudly thundering; booming louder and louder (booming)

‘like an unending flash of lightning’ final result

1. to collapse, to fall down; 2. to do great damage to; 3. to crumble, to fall apart, to cave in warrior, fighter, soldier

to run in swarms; to come pouring in (while running)

7

1. to brandish (a sword) 2. to sway; to swing sword, sabre

bow (bow and arrow); arrow ()

The Royal Palace; the Palace where the King resides to roar, to cry, to yell

1. to mix; to occur simultaneously; 2. in the midst of fiery flames

thick smoke; a mist of smoke

a wounded person

to cry in noisy disorder; a cacophony of cries to lament; to moan; to groan

to wail, to whine, to howl in pain and misery (also ‘’)

without end, continuously

officer

not heard; not understood; heard by no one

farmers and citizens

the young as well as the old

1. to confront 2. to risk 3. to fight

hero (also: )

Ayutthaya (abbreviation)

to fight (against)

to mix, to mingle; to blend

1. to hide, to conceal; 2. to cover up dust cloud

to yell, to cal, to holler

to hit in rapid succession; to clatter to cut and carve

to burn fiery hot

lungs

8

invalid, cripple, severely wounded (people) in the midst of

to hide

troops on war elephants

heap of stone, heap of rubble

classifier for elephants

to trample

mahout; elephant driver

to cheer, to hail; to catcall, to hoot

joyfully, cheerfully

to attack

a noble; a senior bureaucrat, high government official to participate in the fight

to hide

treasure

juwel

gold

platinum

His Royal Highness Suriyat-amarin King

The Kingdom of Ayutthaya

underground room; cellar

to consist of

Prince; Princess (Child of a King and a non-royal mother)

minister, chief official

Department of the Royal Treasury

Mom Luang; Noble rank; Great- great grandchild of a King (English abbreviation: M.L.)

Chief clerk of the Royal Palace

Mom Chao; Noble rank; Prince; Grandchild of a King (English abbreviation: M.C.)

9

royal cousin 1. persons of royal lineage 2. boss, patron classifier for persons of royal lineage nobleman/noblewoman

wound

very well known

all, the whole of

learned person

wisdom and talent; wisdom and knowledge the more…; even more; extremely

famous, well known

character and will

kind and merciful

humanity

rank; position

Mom Chao; Nobleman, Prince; grandchild of a King to be called

namely; that is…

Librarian of the Royal Library

to save (someone’s) life

slender, fine, beautiful and noble

position, rank

princess

common citizen

Palace guard

low, common folk

strictly secret; secret and hidden

now, at this moment

to escape death

clear, clearly visible; obvious; prominent, striking

steel chest

10

1. to contain; 2. to load; 3. to arrange good position

silver, gold, diamonds and gems

price, value

King; Sovereign

to put things against (something)

in layers

to be worried

necklace

pendant; locket

rim

dark yellow

to enframe, to inlay

border, side, rim, edge

ruby

1. seed, grain; 2. classifier for seeds, pills, buttons and gems inlays all around

emerald ()

bright, beaming, radiant

of invaluable worth

to move to and fro repeatedly

again and again

safe

devil, monster, demon; ghost

the realm of Tosakan (Tosakan is the Thai name for Rawana, the demon from the Ramayana - in Thai)

rinderpest (here used as a curse)

to breathe out in a manner as if…

relieved

‘nobility with red feet’; term for nobility that doesn’t behave in a noble manner

‘to have no idea about how life works’.

11

head (impolite)

to deny, to refute

to vanish, to disappear

to find

maybe not, not necessarily

to succeed in escaping

12

13

14

15

to lament, to moan and groan, to grieve

to endure, to stand, to tolerate

literally: ‘state of behaviour’; way of acting; behaviour to be foolish, stupid, silly

people with power; people of high standing to be of royal blood

stupid, silly, dumb

1. treasury 2. storehouse, warehouse

very polite male polite particle

here: Highness; classifier for people of royal blood and nobles to shake off, to throw off, to shake awake

brains; the brain

1. complicated 2. confused, chaotic; 3. to be messed up

16

1. to be troublesome, to be bothersome; 2. to be hectic, to be chaotic 1. to reconsider; 2. to review

event, incident

1.to move, to shift, to progress; 2. to penetrate (in military sense) to hesitate, to waver, to be uncertain

to sacrifice one’s life

to protect; to guard

darling, honey; beloved

(just) a moment

to turn oneself around

beloved, love

a white-eyed coward (a terrible coward)

soldiers, troops

army of war elephants

traitor

to protect, to defend, to guard

to take care of, to care for

Royal Library

1. to move; 2. to transport 3. to carry

manuscript

to be stunned with fear, to tremble with fear manners, behaviour

(characteristic) manner of appearance

totally forgotten

court official; a King’s servant

to protect; to defend; to watch over, to guard; to maintain

the girl that someone loves most; beloved

quickly

pale

to reflect the light

1. to drop; 2. a drop

to throw (away); to pitch, to toss

17

in earlier times, the word ‘’ was a term of address, usually used in front of names of close family, friends and loved ones 1. to end, to finish, to come to an end; 2. dead, deceased cave

darling; beloved

older form of ‘’ or ‘’

wood

teak, enforced with steel

to tell, to say

under (our) feet; under ground

His Majesty the King

nobles, nobility

1. servant, lackey 2. common citizen

here: of high birth

instigating particle: older form of ‘’

war elephant

loud, reverberating sound

‘mahout’; elephant driver

archer

1. quickly, nimbly; 2. to be fast, nimble

very fast

arrow

1. to miss 2. to fail; 3. to be wrong, to blunder to regain consciousness

to be unable to

literally: ‘the heavens cry’: thunder in the air; thunderous violence 1. unexpected 2. without thinking

to jump away

to let oneself roll away

with full strength

18

19

20

21

22

key

to give a sign

to bend forward

to hit; to strike; to bump against

to help get up (- ‘to help someone get up’) to support; to help someone walk/get up to totter

to turn the key

to turn the face (toward)

to stagger, to hobble, to totter

to follow directly behind

to jump, to jump up; to leap

to smell (something); to become aware of a smell to stink; to smell bad

to be (very) dark

light

1. I (man speaking; very polite) 2. I (man speaking; old fashioned, classic) to walk slowly; step by step

1. to touch 2. to come in touch with something very soft

to start, to begin

Guard of the Royal Palace; Royal

Guard national treasure

underground cave

to observe; to notice

to wait

Prince, Princess (child of a King and

a non-royal mother)

lowest title for Thai nobility; great-

23

great grandchild of a King title for Thai nobility; grandchild of a King to dig

treasure

chest, box

to obstruct; to bar the way

1. to suspect 2. to be suspicious 3. to be sceptical; to doubt 1. which 2. whichever; 3. several

to return to its natural state

to draw a (one’s) sword

long sword with a slightly curved blade and a long handle scabbard

to walk slowly and swaggeringly

lower part

to free the way

1. knob 2. button

1. kind of mark: ‘tiger eye’

1. to show; 2. to become apparent

to push, to press

sharp point

1. mark, sign; 2. brand; 3. imprint

to scrape

1. rim, side, border (of a thing); 2. margin to break, to tear

hinge

copper

1. situation 2. plight; 3. state

serious, severe, dangerous

skill, ability, proficiency

to step backward and stand still with wide open mouth layer of mortar, chalk, or stucco

method

24

the method (way) to open the lock

1. bolt, latch, bar; 2. to carve

to push, to press down

wrong, wrongly

closed for ever; never to be opened again handle, hilt (of sword)

absolutely silent

to say; to speak up

to tremble, to shiver

to be scared to death

‘dammit’, ‘shoot’ (mild curse, used in fear or disappointment)

Minister of the Royal Treasury

necklace

gold

princess

His Royal Highness Ramathibodi

leader, chief, chief of state, sovereign

the realm/domain of Ayutthaya

sacred, holy

that can be found

The Kingdom of Ayutthaya

with all possible means; in all possible ways

I (underling to a Princess, noble, Queen or King) I (to a superior)

25

26

27

louder and louder

princess

torch

to light s.t. in order to see it better

on the other side of…

to stop; to stop being...

1. tricky mysterious; 2. device, trick, stratagem; 3. wile, chicanery

moist

to echo to and fro

far; far away from; to be well separated in distance from to whisper, to tell softly

1. to be very narrow, very cramped

to lead to

underground lake

up to/up until the other side (‘’ - up to/up until) the submerged darkness

silent and motionless

large pale spiders

quickly bumping into and running across each other

28

dripping water

ceiling; upper side (of cave, mouth)

stalagmite

1. giant (n) 2. to be enormous

slush, sludge, mire

1. droppings 2. secretions

bat

mouth, entrance of a cave

sunshine

to douse in (sun)shine

long rays

glittering, sparkling

to decide

the future

worse and worse; ever worse

currently, presently; at the present moment

the cave wall

cliff, steep rock wall

high

steep

to lift over the head

to bring both hand palm to palm together in respect or obeisance hole, cavity, hollow

curtain of stalactites

stream, current

to flow by

to leave sediment

to pile up

until

to be out of reach

1. to overflow 2. to inundate; 3. to shed (tears)

to call out to

to point, tell and show

29

to hide

to always think

there is no single...; there is not any…

to step, to walk forward

natural light; daylight

ridge, plateau (of rock)

1. too much; excessive; 2. extremely

to keep a hand above the eyes against the light clearer

with heavily beating heart (literally: with a heart swollen big) knee

weak and extremely tired

completely exhausted

to swoop down on

to grab by the hair

to snatch by the arms

to snatch and tear

phanung; classic garment for women made of a wide strip of cloth, worn around the waist and legs sa-ing; belt, girdle

woman’s upper garment

underclothing

to breathe

gently

faintly and soft

to stream, to gush

wound

to pour down, to flow down

depressions and hollows in the stone

…who are lying dead

thousands of people have died

eagle

the realm of Siam

30

crop and fruit (harvests) fail

to rob

to plunder; to pillage; to rob with violence

to rape

‘prang’: religious structure

‘chedi’: religious structure

Buddha images

temples and monasteries

nothing remains; obliterated; swept away

gold, diamonds and gemstones

treasures

King

The Royal necklace of the Siamese Realm

Nobody ever found (it) back…

31

32

33

to discover; to encounter

Ayutthaya

historic place or site; monument The Sanphet Palace

The Rachaburana Temple

The Phra Ram Temple

The Chaiwattaram Temple

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum

34

antiquity; antique artefact

Buddha image or statue

age (of things)

realm, kingdom

powerful, great

Southeast Asia

The Chandra Kasem

Museum

to promenade, to stroll

1. lively; 2. liveliness

to address; to speak to

1. spirit 2. essence of the mind; 3. soul; 4. sixth sense ( )

1. to imagine, to think; 2. imagination, reflection 1. to destroy, to demolish, to break down; 2. to collapse, to crumble imagination, fantasy; the force to imagine century

larynx

tongue

to make up a name for; to give something a name

without anybody else

(job) interview

to apply for a job ( )

ship’s wharf

Laem Chabang Shipping Terminal clearly

rich, wealthy

wealthy, rich, affluent, opulent art

35

1. rhinoceros 2. rude (slang)

impudent, shameless, immodest

neighbours

to have nothing to do with something hey! What have we here?!

then?; also? ‘’

- ‘and what did they say then?

achievement; result of work

1. condition 2. nature; 3. status; 4. predicament sorry for that

to be fast asleep

to dream of

to break; to completely destroy To be killed like vegetables and fish (idiom); “To be killed like dogs” karma

1. revenge 2. here: retribution for bad deeds to see the bright side of something; to take something

philosophically; to try to take something with humour

1. activity; 2. duty; 3. routine; 4. business; 5. affair to achieve results; to bring to

a good end to be well acquainted

to trust

according to wish; according to intention talisman; amulet

to breathe one’s last

the treasure of the realm; national treasure

36

(personal) possessions; riches; wealth to endure; to bear

the (manifestation of) the soul

a hollow in the limestone

stalactite, (: ‘to hang down, to droop’)

completely hid; completely covered

37

38

39

40

clear, distinct, plain, obvious

to pinch (oneself) in the arm

here: polite, mild and old-fashioned incentive particle, also used to make someone attentive to something female noble officers with positions in the Royal Palace hardware, metal ware

hammer

chisel

flashlight, torch

to suggest, to advise; to present; to introduce that looked like a water-well...

bottom

opening of the cave

steps, staircase

1. to keep in the mouth; 2. to suck

to climb (of a ladder, mountain, tree etc.) 1. to climb (a ladder) 2. to crawl

to help; to be of service

very well, very well…

particle used to encourage, especially

children

bones

to get the opportunity to be born again

corner

between

stalagmite

human skull

to be scattered; to lie scattered

still (after a long time) laying there

to lose; - to be lost

to camouflage, to hide, to cover

41

every now and then; in intervals

underground lake

to enclose, to be surrounded all around, to embed, to be embedded to hack, to chisel, to chip

both (at the same time)

1. together 2. with each other

to cheer; to hail, to clamour

to show happiness

very carefully

safely

to bring the hands together in a ‘wai’-

gesture at the same time as; in unison with

to raise above the head

to be worried; to be anxious, to feel concerned ghost, apparition

not believe (one’s) eyes

here: curator of a museum

to faint, to collapse

to organize, to arrange

cremation ceremony

a large headline

historian

period, era, age, time

His Royal Highness Ramathibodi

millions of Baht

Documents

Intermediate Thai: Reading excercises