Thai Language Urban Legend

[ncr]

Urban legend? - June 4, 2007

This page: But did you also know that Thailand... has the following factoid: (Did you know Thailand) Has 13 different words for smile?
This sounds like an urban legend. Does anyone know?

Seems like complete nonsense. Therefore, not dissimilar to the famous "Eskimo words for snow" myth.....

Also remarkable:

But did you also know that Thailand...
• Is the most stable country in Southeast Asia?

Yeah, horribly stable right now (and for the last 1.5 years).........

[Sathon]

Wow my first post here... Hi guys

I've heard of the 13 words for smile. I think most of them are probably from Por Intrapalit's book, Samgler (samgler.org), especially "yim yae yae" and "yim haeng heang". They're just a way to describe smiles. Anyway some interesting words introduced in the Samgler books are used commonly today... Look at "cheay"(เชย is like out of date)

Check this out
http://www.into-asia.com/thailand/culture/smile.php

[The Enforcer!]

Just as politicians have hundreds of expressions for answering 'no' ... "We will make it a priority", "I fully support the idea", "It is a great solution" etc etc

The Enforcer!

[doseiai]

I think after the political mess they're in now, they will invent 13 words for "frown". I'm noticing Thais aren't happy go lucky anymore. They're bitter

[FarangBha]

Its not so much 13 words for smile, but 13 types of smile.

Crutchley was referring to a few in the BP today.

[GWR]

As featured in the previous post. Extract from 7 wonders on your doorstep by Roger Crutchley in the Bangkok Post today

..........

THE THAI SMILE:
This should really top any Wonders of the World list. Some say the famous yim Siam comes a tad too easily and may even be superficial or - heavens forbid! - insincere. But I'd rather a country where people smile too much than a place where they don't smile at all. There are at least 13 different variations, depending on the situation, and most of them are good news. But beware of the yim haeng. This apologetic "dry smile" is what you get when there's been a total screw-up - usually at your expense. And if a yim mee lay-sa nai is aimed in your direction it probably means you're about to be ripped off. But who cares? When you're feeling down a Thai smile is guaranteed to brighten up your day.

Link may expire:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstorie....php?id=120172