Thai language and usage?

Question

I was just reading a novel from 1930 which closed saying that there is no word for "goodbye" in Thai language - - my thai is ok, but I too tend to use the English "see you later" - what do most thai use in parting?

I am looking for common usage and if the above is correct..

also - I have found there to be no positive connotation for the word "serious" - mostly translated as kriat - but Thai seem to understand the English as well - - do they use this in a positive way at all - - or just that you will surely get a headache..

Answer 1

i think goodbye or see you later is "la gon"

Answer 2

well to say to somebody when parting using la -gon mean good bye seems a bit rough meaning not seeing you again if you use Sawasdee krap /ka sound better and polite, thats was told by my girlfriend

Answer 3

Literal translation for 'goodbye' is 'La Gon' although the word tends to carry the finality in it (such as forever). There's a Thai song which I don't remember the whole thing but it says something like La tee mi chai la gon; or good bye but not for the last time (seeing you).

So, in my youth, people says laew juer gun mai (see you again); but more commonly used are:

Chok Dee (good luck)

Pai Luew (I'm going.. I'm going... )

Personally, I take French leave. (not saying good bye)

Answer 4

The above answers are good, but I will add that 'sawasdee krup(ka)' is also used when parting, along with 'chok dee'.

Most of my greetings that are done in Thai are with folks older than myself, so what I am familiar with might be a tad more formal than others experiences.  The people I know that are close to my age or younger all use informal English greetings.

The language spoken by native Hawiians has a similar language structure, and there hello and goodbye are also the same word- 'Aloha'