[eric-the-viking]

for me personnaly its not having someone to practise with, i have a couple of books with what to say and i have a few on line (via email)Thai friends who try to help,but not actually having some one to interact with so that you know what you are trying to say is correct can be a bind.previous to my last tour i practised so much only to find that when i was out there what i had learnt was all wrong or was not what i was trying to say.
Ok we all giggle when we hear a foreigner in the uk try to speak English but its as hard for them as it us,i also find it breaks down a lot of barriers even if you just try to speak a little.
when i was introduced to my BKK friends parents i really gave it my best shot to speak Thai, there i was with phrase book in hand talking total bollo cks only to have them look at me in amazement, well i thought i had really impressed them ,you know farang speaking Thai well they just looked at me smiled and said in perfect English very good but may be you need some more practise,well we all had a good laugh especially as they told me what i had said was a bit rude ,but they knew what i was trying to say so that made it even funnier for them .
but my point is i know i am now welcome to their house when ever i am in Thailand.