Sunday, June 18, 2006

The Language Barrier


Singaporeans- english is their daily conversational use, but with a chinese-tone and "LAH"added at the end of the sentence. Although sometimes I have difficulty comprehending spoken Sing-glish, its the english variety that I love to hear. No wonder, I am touring S'pore yearly, a few times, even twice in a given year.

Malaysians (kuala Lumpur)- about 80% of the malaysians I chat with, can converse english well (e.g. hotel-, airpot-,train-atendants; taxi drivers; store keepers)


Thailand - It's sad to say I never met a taxi driver that can speak English. Not even store attendants at a huge mall in bangkok. Much worst in the streets. All is sign language. I went to Pratunam once, and requested a no pork menu at a food stall, after several minutes of sign communication, i gave up, went to MBK mall and ended up eating MCdonal's chicken. But it is the differences in language that make travel more exciting. I survived Bangkok with charades and so can you.

Cambodia-No problem with communication especially at touristy areas like Siem Reap (Angkor). However, at the street level, I never encountered an english speaking local.

Laos- Same as Cambodia, however there are fairly few who can speak french.
(click on the pictures to enlarge)

posted by Gil @ 11:40 PM

Border Blues

There is not much danger crossing the borders of mainland south-east asian countries. The immigration procedure is straight forward. Queue at the entrance labeled "going-out" (or synonyms of these words) at the side of the country you are leaving; show your passport and immigration card, then queue again at the booth/table/window with an "entry" sign at the side of the country you are about to enter, fill-out immigration forms provided, then off you go (Of course, don't forget your backpack). Exceptions do occur.

At the Singapore-Malaysia border, you have to fill-out an immigration form before entering the office.If you dont have a pen with you, an oldman is willing to "help" you. He charged me Sing$1 (PHP30) after writing my personal details on the form, which is about 60 letters. (Update May2007- the old man was no longer there at his post.. I kindda miss him though)

At the Thailand-Cambodia border, the same thing happened to me when i arrived at Cambodian side. This time, though i had a pen with me , a 30something-yr -old man called me. i thought he works with the immigration office. I cant understand what he says. But he points to my passport, so i did show it to him. Then he coppied my name and other details and wrote in a card.Then firmly said "20 Bhat", with his eyes fully dilated. (It turned out he was one of the touts, supposedly "helped" me fill-up the immigration form- with a fee)

Upon arriving at the Cambodian immigration office, I was asked to pay 200Bhat. I asked the officer what's the payment for. I told him i am on my way to Siem Reap purely for sight seing. Then he returned the money without any words. I learned later from filipino friends in Bangkok that they usually pay 200bhat when crossing the border for visa extension (visa run) purposes. But i was travelling as a tourist, on my way to Angkor watt. Obviuosly, I am exempted from such fees.

Picture taken at the entrance to imigration office/complex at Thailand-Malaysia border in Padang Besar

posted by Gil @ 11:16 PM

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