Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Most foreign visitors will interact with a simplified version of this elder-junior relation-
ship in the form of
pêe
(elder sibling) and
nórng
(younger sibling). All Thais refer to each
other using familial names. Even people unrelated by blood quickly establish who's
pêe
and who's
nórng
. This is why one of the first questions Thais ask new acquaintances is
'How old are you?'
THE NICKNAME GAME
At birth Thai babies are given auspicious first names, often bestowed by the family patriarch or matriarch. These
poetic names are then relegated to bureaucratic forms and name cards, while the child is introduced to everyone
else by a one-syllable nickname. Thai nicknames are usually playful and can be inspired by the child's appear-
ance (Moo, meaning 'pig', if he/she is chubby) or a favourite pastime (Toon, short for 'cartoon' for avid TV-
watchers). Girls will typically be named Lek or Noi (both of which mean 'small'). Some parents even go so far as
imprinting their interests on their children's names: Golf (as in the sport) and Benz (as in the car).
