Thailand-UK Community

Glossary


 

Index:

  1. Glossary of Terms
  2. Internet Chat Acronyms
  3. Thailand Bank SWIFT Codes
  4. Thailand IATA Airport Codes
  


 

The following acronyms, abbreviations and terms are often used on the Forums:
Listed alphabetically.

 
 
A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z
 
   
Amphur
อำเภอ
  
District
Often used in reference to an "Amphur Office" meaning "District Office", a local government office dealing with ID cards, census, birth, death, marriage and divorce registrations, etc.
An Amphur is further divided into sub-districts (see Tambon).
Sometimes transliterated Amphoe.

   
   
Baht
เงินบาท
  
Unit of currency in Thailand.
1 Baht = 100 satang

   
   
Baht (Gold)
บาท (ทองคำ)
  
Unit weight of gold.
1 baht = 4 salung = 15.244g
1 tamlung = 4 baht = approx. 60g
1 chang = 20 tamlung = approx. 1.2kg
1 haap = 50 chang = approx. 60kg
(In the case of jewellery, 1 baht of gold should weigh at least 15.16 grams.)


   
   
Baht Bus
  
See Songthaew


   
   
BKK
  
Bangkok
Derived from the IATA three-letter code for Bangkok airport.


   
   
BIA
  
Border and Immigration Agency
See UKBA.
ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

   
   
BMCL
  
Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited
Company operating the underground rail service in Bangkok.
www.bangkokmetro.co.th

   
   
BMTA
  
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority
Established in August 1976 by Royal Decree to provide bus services to commuters in and around Bangkok.
www.bmta.co.th

   
   
BTS
  
Bangkok Mass Transit System
Overhead rail network in Bangkok. Opened in 1999, also known as the Sky Train.
www.bts.co.th

   
   
CAT
  
Communication Authority of Thailand
Public company providing overseas and other telecommunication services in Thailand.
www.cattelecom.com

   
   
Changwat
จังหวัด
  
Province
Thailand is divided into 76 provinces, each of which is further divided into districts (see Amphur).
Sometimes transliterated Jangwat.

   
   
DSP
  
Diplomatic Service Procedures
Guidance notes issued by the FCO, used by entry clearance officers on the handling of entry clearance and visa applications.


   
   
ECM
  
Entry Clearance Manager
Embassy visa section manager.
See also ECO.


   
   
ECO
  
Entry Clearance Officer
An Embassy employee in the visa section who assesses applications and interviews persons wishing to travel to the United Kingdom.


   
   
EFL
  
English as a Foreign Language
English language course.


   
   
EMS
  
Express Mail Service
National and international courier service provided by Thailand Post.
www.thailandpost.co.th

   
   
ESOL
  
English for Speakers of Other Languages
English language course.


   
   
Farang
ฝรั่ง
  
Westerner
Sometimes pronounced "falang" and also the Thai word for the fruit guava. The Laos/Isaan word for guava, baksidar, is also sometimes used in reference to westerners.

   
   
FAT
  
Football Association of Thailand
Thailand's governing football body, founded in 1916 and FIFA affiliated since 1925.
www.fa-thailand.org

   
   
FAT
  
Farang Added Tax
Light hearted reference to the dual pricing structure in Thailand.


   
   
FCO
  
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
UK government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom abroad.
www.fco.gov.uk

   
   
FLR
  
Further Leave to Remain
A visa granted to persons in the UK on a fiance visa after successful application once they are married.


   
   
ILE
  
Indefinite Leave to Enter
A visa granted to persons after successful application outside the UK. Indefinite Leave to Remain commences upon arrival in the UK.


   
   
ILR
  
Indefinite Leave to Remain
A visa granted to persons settled in the UK after successful application prior to the expiry of their settlement visa or FLR.


   
   
IND
  
Immigration and Nationality Directorate
See UKBA.
ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

   
   
IO
  
Immigration Officer
A person who controls the entry of foreign nationals into the United Kingdom.


   
   
IOM
  
International Organization for Migration
Inter-governmental organization designed to ensure the orderly and humane management of migration and the promotion of international cooperation on migration issues.
www.iom.int

   
   
KSR
  
Khao San Road
Tourist hub in central Bangkok, popular with budget travellers.

   
   
LOS
  
Land of Smiles
Affectionate nickname for Thailand.


   
   
LTE
  
Leave to Enter
Permission to enter the UK and live and work as a UK resident. The main types of LTE are Limited (LLE) and Indefinite (ILE).


   
   
LTR
  
Leave to Remain
Permission to stay in the UK and live and work as a UK resident. The main types of LTR are Further (FLR) and Indefinite (ILR).


   
   
Luuk Khrueng
ลูกครึ่ง
  
Half Child
Often used to describe someone who is half Thai / half Farang


   
   
MBK
  
Ma Boon Krong
One of the largest shopping centres in Bangkok located on the corner of Phayathai and Rama I Road next to the National Stadium.
www.mbk-center.com

   
   
MCOT
  
Mass Communications Organization of Thailand
Thai media conglomerate operating television and radio services in Thailand
www.mcot.net

   
   
MFA
  
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Thailand's Foreign Office.
www.mfa.go.th

   
   
MRT
  
Mass Rapid Transit
Underground rail network in Bangkok. The Bangkok Metro opened in July 2004, under the control of the MRTA (Mass Rapid Transit Authority) and the BMCL.
www.mrta.co.th

   
   
NCS
  
Nationality Checking Service
For people applying for British citizenship, this service allows them to make their application, in person, at their local council offices.
www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/nationality/ncs

   
   
Ngaan
งาน
  
Land area measurement
1 ngan = 100 sq. wah = 400 sq. metres
4 ngan = 1 rai


   
   
NTL
  
No Time Limit
An indefinite leave stamp endorsed in a new passport or travel document of a person who already has indefinite leave to enter, or to remain in the UK.


   
   
PCU
  
Public Caller Unit
See PEO.


   
   
PEO
  
Public Enquiry Office
Usually used in reference to IND offices to which you can make or enquire about applications in person.


   
   
PM
  
Private Message
A message sent privately between two or more members. You can set up a PM at any time in the Forums from the Personal Zone menu.

   
   
Rai
ไร่
  
Land area measurement
1 rai = 4 ngan = 400 sq. wah = 1600 sq. metres


   
   
Romanise
  
To transliterate the sound of a word or phrase from a non-English language using English language spelling.
Synonym - Latinise


   
   
RTE
  
Royal Thai Embassy
Click here for full details of the RTE and Consulates in and around the UK.

   
   
Samlor
สามล้อ
  
Three Wheels
Often used in reference to a taxi in the form of a three wheeled cycle with a bench seat at the rear. The pedal version is called a สามล้อถีบ samlor tiip, the motorbike version is a สามล้อเครื่อง samlor kruang.

   
   
Satang
สตางค์
  
Unit of currency in Thailand.
100 satang = 1 Baht


   
   
SET
  
Stock Exchange of Thailand
Currently Thailand's only stock exchange, it began trading in 1975.
www.set.or.th

   
   
Siam
สยาม
  
Thailand
Name of the country prior to 1939 and between 1945 and 1949.


   
   
Songkran
สงกรานต์
  
Thai New Year
Traditional New Year celebrations starting 13th April and lasting for 3 days or more.


   
   
Songthaew
สองแถว
  
Two Rows
A covered pick-up truck with two facing bench seats in the rear. Generally a bus service following pre-arranged routes charging a few baht per journey.

   
   
SV
  
Settlement Visa
Unofficial but frequently used abbreviation.


   
   
SVCD
  
See VCD


   
   
SWIFT
  
Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication
SWIFT codes are a standard list of bank identifier codes used to assist in electronic banking affairs.
See below for codes.

   
   
Tabian Baan
ทะเบียนบ้าน
  
House Registration Document
Small book issued to every home, registering all persons staying there.


   
   
Tambon
ตำบล
  
(Sub) District
A small district, usually a sub-division within an Amphur.
Sometimes transliterated Tambol.


   
   
TAT
  
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Organisation in Thailand responsible for the promotion of tourism.
www.tourismthailand.org

   
   
TEFL
  
Teaching English as a Foreign Language
A TEFL qualification is high on the list for many future expats.
www.onlinetefl.com

   
   
TGN
  
Thai Global Network
Satellite TV operated by the Royal Thai Army. The TGN channel broadcasts domestic Thai TV compilations 24 hours a day via 5 satellites around the world.
www.thaitvglobal.com

   
   
THB
  
Thailand Baht
Three letter code for the Thai currency.

   
   
Theravada
  
Doctrine of the Elders
Theravada Buddhism is currently the most common form practised in Thailand.


   
   
Tinglish
  
Thai English
Imperfect English formed by combining English language with aspects of Thai language and grammar.
Synonymns - Thinglish, Thenglish, Thailish.


   
   
T.I.T.
  
This is Thailand
Expression often used by farangs in resignation to aspects of Thailand they find incomprehensible, illogical, or unacceptable.


   
   
TOT
  
Telephone Organisation of Thailand
Public company providing fixed phone lines and other communication services throughout Thailand.
www.tot.co.th

   
   
TrueVisions
  
Subscription satellite and cable television service in Thailand formerly known as UBC.
www.truevisionstv.com

   
   
TT&T
  
Thai Telephone & Telecommunication
Public company providing fixed phone lines and other communication services throughout Thailand.
www.ttt.co.th

   
   
Tuk Tuk
ตุ๊กตุ๊ก
  
Three wheeled motorised taxi named after the sound made by its two stroke engine. Some areas have adopted a four wheeled version based on mini pick-up trucks, looking more like miniature songthaews. Motorised samlors are also sometimes referred to as Tuk Tuks.

   
   
UBC
  
United Broadcasting Corporation
Subscription television service in Thailand renamed to UBC True in 2006 and TrueVisions in 2007.
www.truevisionstv.com

   
   
UKBA
  
UK Border Agency
The section of the Home Office which regulates entry to, and settlement in, the UK. (Formerly known as the IND and BIA.)
ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

   
   
VAC
  
Visa Application Centre
An authorised company dealing with arrangements for the receipt and return of visa applications on behalf of the British Embassy.
(see also VFS).

   
   
VCD
  
Video Compact Disc
A standard format for storing video on a Compact Disc using MPEG-1 compression. SVCD is a slightly better version using MPEG-2. Still very popular throughout Asia, it preceded the higher quality DVD by many years.

   
   
VFS
  
VFS (Thailand) Ltd.
Independent company outsourced by the British Embassy Bangkok to deal with UK visa applications.
(see also VAC).
www.ukvac-th.com

   
   
VOA
  
Visa on Arrival
A visa granted upon arrival in a country without prior application.

   
   
VV
  
Visitor Visa
Unofficial but frequently used abbreviation.


   
   
Wah
วา
  
Unit of length
1 wah = 1 วา = 2 metres
1 square wah = 1 ตารางวา = 4 square metres
100 square wah = 100 ตารางวา = 1 ngan


   
   
Wat
วัด
  
Temple
Thai word for a (Buddhist) Temple.


   
   
WU
  
Western Union
Popular international money transfer service.
www.westernunion.co.uk

   
 


 

The following are a small selection of common internet chat acronyms.
Listed alphabetically.

 
 
   
555
  
Ha! Ha! Ha!

    
   
AFAIK
  
As Far As I Know

    
   
DNFTT
  
Do Not Feed The Trolls

    
   
IIRC
  
If I Recall/Remember Correctly

    
   
IMHO
  
In My Humble Opinion

    
   
IMO
  
In My Opinion

    
   
IOW
  
In Other Words

    
   
LMHO
  
Laughing My Head Off

    
   
LOL
  
Laughing Out Loud

    
   
OP
  
Original Poster
(The person who started a topic)

    
   
OTOH
  
On The Other Hand

    
   
THX
  
Thanks

    
   
TIA
  
Thanks In Advance

    
   
WFM
  
Works For Me

    
 


 

Thailand Bank SWIFT Codes

Listed alphabetically.
 
 
   

Bangkok Bank

  

BKKB TH BK

    
   

Bank of Asia

  

BKAS TH BK

    
   

Bank of Ayudhya

  

AYUD TH BK

    
   

Government Savings Bank

  

GSBA TH B1

    
   

Kasikorn Bank

  

KASI TH BK

    
   

Krung Thai Bank

  

KRTH TH BK

    
   

Siam City Bank

  

SITY TH BK

    
   

Siam Commercial Bank

  

SICO TH BK

    
   

Thai Military Bank

  

TMBK TH BK

    
   

UOB Radanasin Bank

  

RSBX TH BK

    
 


 

Thailand IATA Airport Codes

Listed alphabetically.
 
 
   

Bangkok (Don Muang)

  

DMK

    
   

Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi)

  

BKK

    
   

Ban Mak Khaeng

  

BAO

    
   

Buriram

  

BFY

    
   

Chiang Mai

  

CNX

    
   

Chiang Rai

  

CEI

    
   

Chumpon

  

CJM

    
   

Hat Yai

  

HDY

    
   

Hua Hin

  

HHQ

    
   

Kamphaeng Saen

  

KOP

    
   

Khok Kathiam

  

KKM

    
   

Khon Kaen

  

KKC

    
   

Koh Samui

  

USM

    
   

Krabi

  

KBV

    
   

Lampang

  

LPT

    
   

Loei

  

LOE

    
   

Mae Hong Son

  

HGN

    
   

Mae Sot

  

MAQ

    
   

Nakhon Ratchasima

  

NAK

    
   

Nakhon Si Thammarat

  

NST

    
   

Nan

  

NNT

    
   

Narathiwat

  

NAW

    
   

Pattani

  

PAN

    
   

Pattaya

  

PYX

    
   

Phanom Sarakham

  

PMM

    
   

Phitsanulok

  

PHS

    
   

Phrae

  

PRH

    
   

Phuket

  

HKT

    
   

Ranong

  

UNN

    
   

Sakon Nakhon

  

SNO

    
   

Songkhla

  

SGZ

    
   

Sukhothai

  

THS

    
   

Surat Thani

  

URT

    
   

Tak

  

TKT

    
   

Takhli

  

TKH

    
   

Trang

  

TST

    
   

Ubon Ratchathani

  

UBP

    
   

Udon Thani

  

UTH

    
   

U-Taphao

  

UTP

    
   

Uttaradit

  

UTR

    
 


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