Jingjok
The chin, the open hand, and "ตรงไปเลย"
dtrong-bpai loei
Ask the way and you may get a small lift of the chin towards the street, or an open hand swept in a direction, palm up. Pointing a finger straight at a person feels rude in Thailand, so people point with the whole hand or a nod, and it is a good habit to copy. You will also hear ตรงไปเลย, "just go straight", a lot. Often it is exactly right. Sometimes it is a kind way of avoiding "I don't know", because turning away someone who asks for help can feel impolite. So ask a second person, or ask a question that needs a real answer: ไกลไหม "is it far?" or เดินไปได้ไหม "can I walk?". Motorbike-taxi riders and security guards usually know every corner of their soi.
Try this today
Next time you ask the way, ask ไกลไหม as well, and point with an open hand when you reply.
Your first 90 days of Thai
Culture cards in Jingjok are tied to the words that carry them, each ending in one thing to try today.
- WEEKS 1–2 · SURVIVEGreet anyone, pay, and order food and 7-Eleven exactly how you like it.
- WEEKS 3–6 · SETTLE INGet around by taxi, Grab and skytrain, find anything, and handle your landlord.
- WEEKS 7–12 · RUN YOUR LIFEPharmacy, bank, SIM and apps, how you feel, and a weekend away, all in Thai.
The first week is free.