Terence Returns

Damn but it is tricky at times working on a laptop in a strange room in a strange town after a long night. Have only just spotted this one Sorry to have just posted to MM before answering it. I am not quite sure how it is that "everything" I say is that same same. Are you referring to the tiny snippets I posted? Anyway, I am not pretending to have invented the wheel, just trying to phrase a few issues in an easy to read style, and I know that the people who have bought the book in the last three days get that point. Obviously it is not a book for everyone but there seems to be some people who can benefit, particularly BGs who want to know about farang, since it is in Thai and English. As for studying Thai culture and understanding the girl's lives I have been making an effort for the past year and know a few things, which I think is clear in the book. Best, Terence

Morning MM and everyone else lucky enough to be in Pattaya, despite a serious lack of sunshine today. Sorry for the delay in responding but after a late party launch in Korat I drove down at 5am to speak to the Ex Pts Club and since then have been running around delivering the book to various people. Apologies and thanks as well to anyone who bothered to view the post. I am sorry if the promise of Free Drinks seemed in any way dishonest. Guess I am just too used to BG telling me things that are almost too good to be true that I assume we all talk that way. Anyway, tonight is the tonight for whatever it is worth, just some pig and music and the book from 7 pm on. Book seems to have gone down well with people and I would hope some members might find it a deal at 295 with a drink of their choice. But no coercion. And I promise to do better on my future posts. Maybe just talk about the girls, instead of talking about a book about talking to them. Thanks, Terence

Hiya DC, This is a book launch, not a carnival. LOL. Details? Come to Metro on the day, buy a book, get a free drink? Need I say more? TR/

Good idea about Ebay and I will try to do something soon. Reality is that I am currently living with GF in Korat, here for 5 months this time, until Easter. But going to Pats tomorrow Sunday 17th to introduce the book to a few bar girls, all for research, of course, to see what they make of the Thai translations. Meanwhile, I certainly recommend Money No One to everyone. It is the first book I read, and it is both wise and witty, which inspired my own attempt. T/

HI again LD, Thanks for the "Sleep with uncle line." A classic example of the kind of misunderstandings that occur because of the VERY simple way they say things. Nothing wrong with what they are doing or the way they talk but, fuck, it makes it difficult at times. So something really easy like "I go room." can be totally confusing, as they never bother to specific WHICH room. You assume she means YOUR room, but it could just as easily be, well, her "uncle's"!!!! And there is no point in trying to tell them to be more specific in the future, as Thais don't know what the word "specific" means. Similarly, it took me much of my first three or four weeks to get someone to tall me the Thai word for "plan". I kept asking her - well, them (yes, there was more than one in those days) - to make a plan with me, to tell me what the plan was, and none of them ever had a clue. Well, I learned the word finally and has it helped? Oh, nik noi. Reality is that they don't have "plans'. Damn. Anyway, it is all fascinating stuff, although I must admit that for my book I went the easiest, least profound route and just enjoyed riffing on how amusing and confusing it all is, with the farang on one side holding all the cards but being totally out of his depth, and the bar girl on the other side, simultaneously simple and sexy - both sides really never quite getting to the bottom of things. Thanks goodness for all those fine moment when conversation is not necessary. BTW, totally understand about your friend being oblivious. If a guy thinks his girl is "different" there is no way around it, he'll never believe otherwise until the day she gets out the knife. T/

Hey, BF, glad you raised that point, as the saying goes. I too have had one or two rejections on the mean streets and it has led me to ponder why these girls find lies everywhere. Indeed, it has an entry in the book. Not sure it if helps,. but it starts like this: “You lie me.” Obviously, these words should not be confused with “You like me,” a mistake which can easily be made in a noisy bar. A mistake which highlights the many linguistic complexities which may lead your beautiful girlfriend to think you are lying in the first place. These language differences are so numerous that when you merely say “Hello,” she is liable to think “You lie me.”. And longer phrases, like “Good morning,” are obviously even more dangerous! “Why is good?”

Thanks, Lichtsy, for the tip. I will seek out MO as I gather from his reply that he is a man of humility, which suggests he would make a good read. Although I must say that to hear he is still making mistakes after 20 visits, I am a little frightened. I have only been 5 times!!! Oh, goodness, how many more slippery nights do I have to work through to gain true wisdom???? Best. Terence

Thanks for the thoughts, MM. And for the advice. I used to run a film magazine in UK and know a thing or two about Tiffs and Jpegs but writing in Thailand, even a relatively sedate place like Korat, with a Thai girl on my back (and elsewhere) my mind has gone to mush. However, I think I sorted it. Best, Terence

Hi LD, Yes, certainly this is my first post on this site alas, for various reasons. And it's an advertisement? I guess so, sort of, although I am not looking to make any money from the book, just to get it out there, to bring it to the attention of someone who might find it useful or funny. And how is it any different from previous books, which only ever cover what you and, I agree, many of us learn in the first week? Well, of course, there is nothing new under the sun, and no new stories since the Bible. But we can still tell the same tales from a different angle. This book covers some familiar items - and so new ones - in a humorous way, so the book should be funny even for the best informed. And it equally balances farang and bar girl content, making it a good book for couples to talk about. Oh, and I go sort of feel that in certain senses not everyone masters Pattaya in the first week, that indeed, it can be constantly surprising and that as farang, we are constantly liable to make mistakes, fall for the same old lines. So it can be useful to turn the pages of a guide that can get you back on track. Sorry to go on so long but I am pleased with the book and think it has an audience. Oh, and the launch drinks are free with the book, so what's not to like? T/

“The best book ever on Thailand?” asks Terence Doyle. “It’s called Thailand Love Talk”, he adds, “which certainly gives it a run at the best Thai title ever.” But he would say that, wouldn’t he? He’s the author. That is to say, I am the author, and, of course, I am prejudiced. But the book, just published this week, was inspired by many of the best books on Thailand already published, particularly the hilarious Money Number One, so it has a great pedigree. And it deals head on with dozens of the little things that come between visiting farang and their lovely Thai darlings, with amusing explanations of what she means when she says confusing things like “Me shy,” “You have bad temper,” “How old are you?” and “You sure?” alongside humorous suggestions as to what their farang mean when they make mystifying pronouncements like “It’s the ref’s fault,” “I used to own a Harley,” “The exchange rate is killing me,” and “Why don’t you talk to me?” And each book has the full text in both Thai and English making it ridiculously easy for you and your charmer to reach a new and more sexy understanding. Anyway, you are free to make up your own mind whether Thailand Love Talk is ”the best book ever on Thailand” as the book hit the bookstores on January 11th and sells for a piddling 295 B. Indeed, Pattaya folk or anyone in Thailand can come along to the launch party in Pattaya at 7 pm on Wednesday, January 20th, at Metro Apartments in LK Metro (corner Soi Diana & Baokhow), where you can buy the book for just 250B (nearly a 20% discount) and probably get some free food if you arrive at the right time. If you can’t make the launch, you can easily buy it at the leading bookstores in Pattaya – starting with DK Bookmart Asia Books-Bookazine, B2S (within January), Friendship Supermarket, Villa Supermarket and some smaller outlets – and throughout Thailand. Or, even simpler, order it direct from the publisher at www.bangkokbooks.com. Check the brief excerpts below for a taste. Best wishes to you all in finding romantic happiness in LOS. Contact: Email :terence@terencedoyle.com Tel: (66) 0824710704 What your Thai beauty means when she says: “You like that girl?” This simple question may pop up at any time of the day or night when you are in the company of your darling girl, but it is most likely to be posed in the later hours. This is the time when it is all too easy for your peepers to stroll across at least one stunning pooying dressed to kill. Alas, no matter how brief your perusal, your love will pick up on it. … continues What your darling farang means when he says: This is a hard one to believe, isn’t it? He is in Thailand, after all, and talking to you. It is unlikely he has started the conversation with you because he wanted to learn your thoughts on world peace, climate warming or other global issues. No, he is talking to you because he thinks you are beautiful and he would like to get to know you “better”. … continues Cover_small_.tiff Cover_small_.tiff