Explaining Thailand to people that have never been

[bignok]

A lot of people don't get it. They have fixed ideas about other countries.

 

So you going to Pattaya?

 

Nah going to Mae Sariang. Huh?

 

Then I might go to Koh Chang? Huh?

 

Then I might go to Ubon. What?

 

Why don't you go to Samui? Because its full of farangs.

 

What's a farang? People like you. What?

 

 

[simon43]

I just tell them that it's a large island close to China and which is claimed by China.  The people have slitty eyes and haven't yet learnt to eat using knives and forks.....

[KhunLA]

Thailand ...

... a 3rd World country with many modern things.

[Lacessit]

I don't bother. I just smile.

[VinnieK]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Thailand ...

... a 3rd World country with many modern things.

Alternatively, a cult. 

Unlikely to notice it if you are a visitor though..

[BE88]

Nobody would believe me.

[spidermike007]

Simple. Thailand is NOT a foreign country. It is a distant planet. Do not ever attempt to understand the place using common sense, nor reason. It does not apply. 

 

Some of us love that about the place. There is an air of mystery and an unfathomable element. If I wanted a place that was easy to understand and predictable, I would have stayed in boring America. 

[Lemsta69]

You've got a chip on your shoulder that's so big I'm surprised anyone wants to talk to you about Thailand ... or anything at all!

Edited August 7, 2023 by Lemsta69

[bignok]

6 minutes ago, Lemsta69 said:

You've got a chip on your shoulder that's so big I'm surprised anyone wants to talk to you about Thailand ... or anything at all!

Great. Nice to meet you.

[bignok]

22 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Simple. Thailand is NOT a foreign country. It is a distant planet. Do not ever attempt to understand the place using common sense, nor reason. It does not apply. 

 

Some of us love that about the place. There is an air of mystery and an unfathomable element. If I wanted a place that was easy to understand and predictable, I would have stayed in boring America. 

I agree. 

[bignok]

13 minutes ago, Lemsta69 said:

You've got a chip on your shoulder that's so big I'm surprised anyone wants to talk to you about Thailand ... or anything at all!

Pattaya fan hey? Hit a raw nerve.

[Social Media]

" it's life Jim, but not as we know it" 

[cnx1204]

weird

[LaosLover]

Buddhist Disneyland.

 

With human rides.

[ezzra]

Unless you live in a cave in remote place on earth, no need to explain Thailand to anyone, most people all ready heard about Thailand being a giant mongering/sex haven/destination with beautiful islands and beaches.

[Fat is a type of crazy]

I think you are being a bit romantic. Pretty normal now to find people who go here and there. I work in an office with normal folk and they will travel to places far more exotic than Ubon. It's been done. There's no stone unturned. 

[GammaGlobulin]

Better than Taiwan, by far.

[ICU Kid]

Ladyboys, hookers & beaches

[1FinickyOne]

15 hours ago, bignok said:

A lot of people don't get it. They have fixed ideas about other countries.

 

So you going to Pattaya?

 

Nah going to Mae Sariang. Huh?

 

Then I might go to Koh Chang? Huh?

 

Then I might go to Ubon. What?

 

Why don't you go to Samui? Because its full of farangs.

 

What's a farang? People like you. What?

 

 

Funny, I am just trying to email a friend who has never been here and explain how unique Thailand is - or was even in the tourist zones 20-30 years ago. Yesterday a masseuse told me, she was surprised how poor most farang are... years ago, there was a different perception and reality. 

 

I guess these days it is a refuge for economic refugees... 

[bignok]

11 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

Funny, I am just trying to email a friend who has never been here and explain how unique Thailand is - or was even in the tourist zones 20-30 years ago. Yesterday a masseuse told me, she was surprised how poor most farang are... years ago, there was a different perception and reality. 

 

I guess these days it is a refuge for economic refugees... 

How would she know? Maybe they dont tip her

She thinks they poor

They just tight

[NorthernRyland]

Spicy food and sweaty balls. What's not to love?

[bignok]

3 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

Spicy food and sweaty balls. What's not to love?

Chaffing

[1FinickyOne]

2 hours ago, bignok said:

How would she know? Maybe they dont tip her

She thinks they poor

They just tight

Do you think they don't know farang or talk with them and each other when that is their clientele? 

 

for example: "I always wanted to go to Phuket but can't afford it." But almost all of their Thai friends have gone and they have gone... 

[bignok]

2 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said:

Do you think they don't know farang or talk with them and each other when that is their clientele? 

 

for example: "I always wanted to go to Phuket but can't afford it." But almost all of their Thai friends have gone and they have gone... 

Most can barely speak English. They never ask me about Phuket.

[bignok]

2 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said:

example: "I always wanted to go to Phuket but can't afford it

So they can afford a $1000 plane ticket from Europe but cant afford a $40 ticket?

 

That doesnt make sense!

[BritManToo]

2 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said:

for example: "I always wanted to go to Phuket but can't afford it." But almost all of their Thai friends have gone and they have gone... 

Yeah, but Thais only pay 1/10 our price.

[bignok]

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

Yeah, but Thais only pay 1/10 our price.

They pay 5 baht for noodles?

[brianthainess]

5 hours ago, bignok said:

How would she know? Maybe they dont tip her

She thinks they poor

They just tight

I offered my tip, but it wasn't big enough for her 

[1FinickyOne]

1 hour ago, bignok said:

Most can barely speak English. They never ask me about Phuket.

Big Heavy - you are taking it way too literally... poverty has a look about it too... there are some pretty down and out types walking around and not just from Europe... And I do know some w/small pensions and no savings. It is very sad but they would be homeless in USA and can afford a studio here. 

[1FinickyOne]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Yeah, but Thais only pay 1/10 our price.

for what? I am pretty sure airline tkts are the same price and hotels usually not much different...