Gotta Love Thenglish!

What happens when you visit a country where English is not the first language but they still find a way to incorporate it in everyday life to appease the majority of the world's population and where English is quickly becoming the universal language?  You get many variations (and misuses) of the language.  Most people in the United States are familiar with the term Spanglish, which stands for the blend of Spanish and English.  And, being that I am Thai-Chinese and have spent a good part of my life in Thailand; I often wonder, what would be the term used if we blended Thai and English?  I believe that the consensus has pretty much settled on Thenglish (pronounced Ting-lish).  I must say that Thais sure have a unique way in saying what they want to say.  And, as I often like to smile and say about many things concerning Thailand and all things Thai, "Only in Thailand".  See for yourself as to what exactly I mean.

In the first picture, you have a new restaurant that is just opening up and is aiming for self promotion.  It claims to have a chef who has received his training from the prestigious Gordonbleu.  I'm sorry, but, where is that exactly?  I don't know about the rest of you, but I've only ever heard of the school for the culinary arts, Le Cordon Bleu.  You can  pretty much bet that I won't be dining there any time soon (or ever)!

In the second picture, you have your typical building directory.  However, at this place, instead of the bold star being the indicator of your present location in the building, it is asking you Are you here?  Needless to say, I was so tempted to pull out a sharpie and answer with an I dunno..Am I here?  Instead, I chose what any other normal person would do in these circumstances, I took a picture of it for the purpose of sharing.

Lastly, I was meeting with some friends at a local (and very chill) bar somewhere off the infamous Sukhumvit Rd.  Since I was the first to arrive, I decided to take pleasure in perusing the menu to get an idea of what I might like to order later and pleasure was exactly what I found.  Actually, it was more like amusement.  Aside from the so many mixers the place had to offer, I noticed that this place offered something uniquely different--something known as a cockage charge.  What in the world could that possibly be?  It sounds rather lethal.  And I can't help but wonder, does it come with a side of Happy Ending?  :o)

It's a wonder that with all the native English speakers found throughout Thailand that Thais do not think to entreat them for their assistance in spelling and grammar.

These are just a few examples of countless more spotted all over the wonderful Land of Smiles.  If you'd like to see more, I will try my best to continue searching for and sharing them.  Or perhaps you should visit Thailand where you can see them for yourself.  ;o)