[horoshevapola]

Say 'Sawasdee', not 'Hello'

The Office of the National Culture Commission has been asked to launch a campaign to promote the use of ''Sawasdee'' instead of ''Hello'' among Thais, particularly when answering the phone.

Natthee Phukkhayaporn, chairman of the Nakhon Sawan provincial culture council and a specialist at the National Culture Commission, said he had proposed the campaign to the commission due to the incorrect use of Thai language, particularly the appropriate greeting when taking a phone call.

Most Thais often say ''Hello'' rather than ''Sawasdee,'' the traditional Thai greeting, when they pick up the phone, he said.

He also called on the Public Relations Department to seek cooperation from radio show hosts or disc jockeys to address their audiences with ''Sawasdee'' instead of the more popular western-style greeting.

The commission should also encourage Thais to use polite phrases such khob khun krab/kha (thank you) and khor thot krab/kha (excuse me) more frequently, he said.

Bangkok Post