David is a 31-year-old architect from England.
Kit is a 23-year-old Thai recent university graduate who just began working at a travel agency in Bangkok.
Background:
David: David arrived in Thailand yesterday, and he plans to stay for less than two weeks. He’s interested in seeing examples of Thai architecture and experiencing some of Thailand’s natural attractions. He likes to travel independently, even if it’s a little harder sometimes.
Kit: This is Kit’s first job. He hasn’t spent a lot of time with foreigners, but he has observed many of them in Bangkok. By paying attention to how they look and act, Kit feels he has a pretty good idea of what foreigners like to do. Kit is very proud of his country, and wants to help foreigners enjoy their time in Thailand.
Setting:
David is standing on the sidewalk in front of the travel agency. He is looking at a map of Bangkok. Kit is standing in the door.
KIT: Hello sir! Where are you going?
DAVID: Well, right now I’m just looking at this map so I can decide where to go.
KIT: Is this your first time in Thailand?
DAVID: Yes.
A
KIT: I would like to give you some suggestions about visiting places in Bangkok. Maybe you want to go on a tour of temples and shopping areas. I can reserve a ticket for you.
DAVID: Look, please don’t try to sell me a tour. It would be very nice though if you could just give me some advice. Can you do that?
KIT: Yes, of course I can give you advice.
B
DAVID: Good, because actually I’m getting bored just sitting around. People here seem to only like relaxing and sleeping, but I want to go out and see Bangkok. It takes so much time to travel here from England that I don’t have a lot of time to see things in Thailand. It seems like a lovely country, so I hope to see as much as I can before I return to England.
C
KIT: Yes, I think you’ll like it too. Tonight you should go to a pub. Bangkok has exciting nightlife. I think it’s very good fun for foreigners.
DAVID: Hmm, I don’t know… What else could I do?
KIT: You could go shopping, and also eat some good Thai food there. Bangkok has a lot of good malls, and they’re not expensive.
DAVID: Well, I’m not really interested in shopping, and I don’t like to eat spicy food like Thai people do. What about temples? I’d like to learn about Thai architecture.
KIT: Oh, Bangkok has many beautiful temples. Actually, some of them are very famous because they were built by the king or important people in Thai history.
DAVID: That sounds interesting. How can I get there?
D
KIT: The best way to go is with a tour because you don’t have to worry about how to get there! Also the guide can explain the history of each temple to you. Do you want me to book a tour for you?
DAVID: No. I already told you I don’t want to buy a tour. I don’t have a lot of money for traveling, and actually I would rather go on my own. Can you just show me the temples on a map?
KIT: (pointing to the map) The best temples are in this area. It’s the old part of Bangkok.
E
DAVID: How do I get there?
KIT: You should take a taxi. It can take you all the way to the temple.
DAVID: What about the river boat? Can I take that?
F
KIT: Yes you can, but then you have to walk when you get there, and I think you will be tired.
DAVID: No, I’m not tired. Look, thanks anyway for your help, but I’m just going to go find these temples now on my own.
KIT: OK, good luck.
DAVID: Bye.