Wearing Thai Gold

[PhilHarries]

Amazing, self appointed judges of taste, fashion and morals again and quick to let all know how they expect others to behave, ha ha.

Maybe all those that wear and buy gold think those of us that dont are low class tossers eh ?

Why would you think that? You might be surprised but there a lot of people that judge a person by that subtle attribute called personality and not by the car they drive, the house they live in etc etc etc. A person who is a low class tosser is still a low class tosser no matter what symbols of class or affluence they amass.

[JacknDanny]

that is actually pretty funny but you are wrong about the whingers. there are just as many amulet wearing, isaan trotting farang complaining about thailand. the farang population in general is a pretty unhappy bunch. that said, i dont see why people cant comment on your fashion. chances are that you comment on other people's fashion you just don't like it when they do it to you. that is just my experience in life. people are defensive and hate criticism and then take 'the higher road' until they see a black guy wearing his pants around his thighs with his underwear showing then they think he looks like a fool! regardless, good luck on those lotto ticket!

These are excerps from an old saying in my country, I think them quite wise:

Fed and washed should one ride to counsil

though in garments none too new;

thou shalt not shame thee for shoes or breeks,

nor yet for a sorry steed.

As for life experience...I have lived enough strange places in this world to never mock people for the way they look or dress. That holds trough for rich and for poor.

The only people I comment on are those that do.

we wont mention Poms with their woollen socks and sandals

Thats the Yanks

Edited February 1, 2008 by JacknDanny

[Gimbo]

that is actually pretty funny but you are wrong about the whingers. there are just as many amulet wearing, isaan trotting farang complaining about thailand. the farang population in general is a pretty unhappy bunch. that said, i dont see why people cant comment on your fashion. chances are that you comment on other people's fashion you just don't like it when they do it to you. that is just my experience in life. people are defensive and hate criticism and then take 'the higher road' until they see a black guy wearing his pants around his thighs with his underwear showing then they think he looks like a fool! regardless, good luck on those lotto ticket!

These are excerps from an old saying in my country, I think them quite wise:

Fed and washed should one ride to counsil

though in garments none too new;

thou shalt not shame thee for shoes or breeks,

nor yet for a sorry steed.

As for life experience...I have lived enough strange places in this world to never mock people for the way they look or dress. That holds trough for rich and for poor.

The only people I comment on are those that do.

Sounds like a scottish or irish Quote,(billy Connolly or Jimmy Cricket )mind you I tend to wear a Pakama by the pool at home in Ningi, had a few comments and complaints about that over the years,and that by australians who wear Ugg boots,ruggers and a string vest,we wont mention Poms with their woollen socks and sandals or elderly german ladies sunbathing topless with their wriggly tin skin, every one to their own Nignoy

It's from the Elder Edda, also called the Poetic Edda. An old Norse poem, written down on Iceland by Snorri Sturlasson in the 12th century. It's origin however is probably much, much older as it was traditionally passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years, way before christianity. That snippet is from Havamal, the Words of the Wise One. Odin's advice to man on how to conduct your life.

Me I usually wear whatever was on top of the clean pile in the morning. Ok, breakfast is ready and it's another beutiful day in Isaan!

[LaoPo]

Yellow Gold is 'out' and not done for quite a few years already in the fashion countries of Europe.

It's white gold, platinum or silver, with or without diamonds.

LaoPo

[Hawkup2000]

If you read thai magazines, thailand tatler for example (a lifesyle mag picturing and aming to the noveau rich, media ppl. generally rich folks.) You never see them wear heavy gold chains. Infact, I don´t even see heavy "gold armor" in Paragon either. But it is much more easy to spot gold chains walking around with thier owners round suk soi 4- Asok.

[naka]

My comments were regarding the workmanship of Thai gold jewellery as

sold in 'gold shops' and had nothing to do with whether someone should wear it or not.

Thai peole look at gold as a store of cash and do not like to pay a high overhead for labour.

Naka.

[Austhaied]

Can't see why gold has to be singled out as low class. Some folks wear a gold chain, some drive a big fancy 4x4 or motorbike, some have a big fancy house, some have a flash yacht, some wear Armani suits and Gucci shoes. All of these things can be described as non-essential exhibitions of wealth and self perceived class. If someone wants to parade around town with a kilo of gold dangling from his/her body what business is it of others? Who are any of us to sit in judgement over what is considered high or low class?

Amazing how some people just love to try and impose their standards on others. Live and let live.

Well said Phil..

That pretty much sums it up.

Get over it people..Then just get on with it.

[mikethevigoman]

My comments were regarding the workmanship of Thai gold jewellery as

sold in 'gold shops' and had nothing to do with whether someone should wear it or not.

Thai peole look at gold as a store of cash and do not like to pay a high overhead for labour.

Naka.

Its currency,it can be and is cashed in on a daily occurence with only the labour lost,,.hi-so types dont wear it, white with diamonds is their choice,.as mentioned by another poster most 9-10-14-18 k gold comes from italy, the thais dont like it and ive never seen one buy it,.of course the thai gold is preferred by the industry girls, they know if you give them a 9 carat chain that cost 20k and they go to cash it up they will get 5 maybe,. they are not stupid,. Edited February 1, 2008 by mikethevigoman

[Austhaied]

My comments were regarding the workmanship of Thai gold jewellery as

sold in 'gold shops' and had nothing to do with whether someone should wear it or not.

Thai peole look at gold as a store of cash and do not like to pay a high overhead for labour.

Naka.

Its currency,it can be and is cashed in on a daily occurence with only the labour lost,,.hi-so types dont wear it, white with diamonds is their choice My wife wears diamonds and is far from "hi-so",.as mentioned by another poster most 9-10-14-18 k gold comes from italy, the thais dont like it My wife waers Italian gold and prefers the look of it. and ive never seen one buy it,.I have

You seem to know it all regarding "The Thais"..

Please don't judge all Thais from just a few that you may know..

[britmaveric]

Italian gold is cheap - def not same class as thai. Everyone knows that....

[Austhaied]

Italian gold is cheap - def not same class as thai. Everyone knows that....

So what if it is. My missus likes the look of it so that's just fine by me..

[younghusband]

Can't see why gold has to be singled out as low class. Some folks wear a gold chain, some drive a big fancy 4x4 or motorbike, some have a big fancy house, some have a flash yacht, some wear Armani suits and Gucci shoes. All of these things can be described as non-essential exhibitions of wealth and self perceived class. If someone wants to parade around town with a kilo of gold dangling from his/her body what business is it of others? Who are any of us to sit in judgement over what is considered high or low class?

Amazing how some people just love to try and impose their standards on others. Live and let live.

Well said Phil..

That pretty much sums it up.

Get over it people..Then just get on with it.

You are both missing the point.Nobody is sitting in judgement or imposing their standards on others.There's no shame in being of any particular class which in any case is simply a reflection of one's economic status, background and education.As to the wearing of gold ornaments this could signify the likelihood of belonging to a particular class.In Ancient Egypt it would tend to reflect royal or aristocratic lineage.In modern Thailand it tends to reflect the upwardly mobile peasantry and certain other nouveaux riche categories.It's simply a question of observable fact.

[Austhaied]

Can't see why gold has to be singled out as low class. Some folks wear a gold chain, some drive a big fancy 4x4 or motorbike, some have a big fancy house, some have a flash yacht, some wear Armani suits and Gucci shoes. All of these things can be described as non-essential exhibitions of wealth and self perceived class. If someone wants to parade around town with a kilo of gold dangling from his/her body what business is it of others? Who are any of us to sit in judgement over what is considered high or low class?

Amazing how some people just love to try and impose their standards on others. Live and let live.

Well said Phil..

That pretty much sums it up.

Get over it people..Then just get on with it.

You are both missing the point.Nobody is sitting in judgement or imposing their standards on others.There's no shame in being of any particular class which in any case is simply a reflection of one's economic status, background and education.As to the wearing of gold ornaments this could signify the likelihood of belonging to a particular class.In Ancient Egypt it would tend to reflect royal or aristocratic lineage.In modern Thailand it tends to reflect the upwardly mobile peasantry and certain other nouveaux riche categories.It's simply a question of observable fact.

How are we missing the point when the point was / is (Wearing Thai Gold, Low Class Status Symbol ?) ???

We gave our opinions that were asked for by the OP..That's all.

[ray08]

I am not too wrapped in wearing gold Jewellery , but to ask the question if it a low class Status Symbol is a bit far fetched , Question a bit strange , because not sure if talking about Thai 24ct gold ,any gold or gold with diamonds is that them OK , eg The Oscar,s

Picking your nose in public , being a drunken slob in public, eating with your mouth open , these things i can relate to low class ,. wearing gold jewellery is not in that catergory ,

[Johpa]

If you read thai magazines, thailand tatler for example (a lifesyle mag picturing and aming to the noveau rich, media ppl. generally rich folks.) You never see them wear heavy gold chains. Infact, I don´t even see heavy "gold armor" in Paragon either. But it is much more easy to spot gold chains walking around with thier owners round suk soi 4- Asok.

I also don't see many Thais of high Sakdina rating wearing baat gold chain. And the only member of the higher Sakdina class that I am on familiar terms with once noted that Thai baat gold is looked down upon by his peers and if they were to purchase gold they would purchase the gold at a higher end shop in Hong Kong.

It has also been my experience that Thai baat gold can not be traded in gold shops outside of Thailand. In the US, the baat chains are usually only found in department stores alongside the other costume jewelery. Did you really think that sharp Thai-Chinese business people were really selling you gold at low single digit profit margins?

[britmaveric]

Dunno I had my gold chain appraised in the west and well lets say it was significantly more than what I paid for it even after you factor in the rise in the price of gold.

[TheWalkingMan]

hmmmm... Maybe it's just my background, but I always thought that people who wore a lot of gold were usually from the ghetto and needed to "prove" to themselves or others that they had money.

Do a large percentage of office workers wear gold (maybe 1 baht+) to work on a daily basis or while going through their daily routine? Or is the chance better on seeing an industry girl going through her routine wearing gold...

TheWalkingMan

[The Dan Sai Kid]

It has also been my experience that Thai baat gold can not be traded in gold shops outside of Thailand.

Isn't it illegal to trade gold from country to county without specific licences?

[Rinrada]

Chav...Bling....tracksuits...and Nikes (white ones)....and maybe a little hood to set off the 'en-samble'...Yaa...Do wot?

[Pepe']

I've got a couple of nice large chains my ex mother in law gave me. One with a beautiful stone Buddha encased in gold, a family heirloom.

Also got a large gold ring with an eight carot saphire dragon, my sign carved in each side.

My Fillapina girlfriend gave me a 4 ounce gold bracelet from Hong Kong for Christmas.

Actually all of them seem a bit garish to me sometimes. Other times I wear them and enjoy they and get some curious comments about them.

I like them. Have never worn them all at once. But I will this week end.

Hey, yo, I'm Italian it's cool...

[ray08]

hmmmm... Maybe it's just my background, but I always thought that people who wore a lot of gold were usually from the ghetto and needed to "prove" to themselves or others that they had money.

Do a large percentage of office workers wear gold (maybe 1 baht+) to work on a daily basis or while going through their daily routine? Or is the chance better on seeing an industry girl going through her routine wearing gold...

TheWalkingMan

Gees ,must have had a very poor background to think like that ,

[britmaveric]

Nought wrong with a chain/amulet and a ring. Not over the top by any means - I can see a Mr T type lad, but not what I am referring to. My Motto - less is better than more.

[Prakanong]

Seems like it to me.

Often folks in Thailand with some cash would never been seen loaded up with a big gold chain or bracelet.

Oh some of the Khunyings are a bit Mr T like

I did notice last week that none of the educated nice girls I was working with do not wear much gold - even my pal only wears her wedding band and a small necklace and leaves the big rock engagement ring at home.

They all seem to have expensive handbags though ie the real thing LV, Mulberry, Tod's, Coach etc even at work and tend to change them around often during the week.

I even learned things I did not know like buying your LV in Paris is cheaper than in Thailand!

[Pepe']

My former relatives were all fairly well to do and all wore their fair share of Thai gold, especially if we were going out...

[TheWalkingMan]

hmmmm... Maybe it's just my background, but I always thought that people who wore a lot of gold were usually from the ghetto and needed to "prove" to themselves or others that they had money.

Do a large percentage of office workers wear gold (maybe 1 baht+) to work on a daily basis or while going through their daily routine? Or is the chance better on seeing an industry girl going through her routine wearing gold...

TheWalkingMan

Gees ,must have had a very poor background to think like that ,

Gees, must have had a very poor background in imagination to make a post like that

RayRay (sorry, couldn't resist)

Not really a very poor background, just relating a tidbit from my past. We did have hot and cold running water , but no Cable TV All I am saying is that when I was a youth riding through the areas of lesser affluence (the ghetto, hood or whatever the terms are today) I saw a lot of gold chains, bracelets and necklaces. And when in the more middle class areas it was rare to see something similar.

TheWalkingMan

[Maigo6]

when I was a youth riding through the areas of lesser affluence (the ghetto, hood or whatever the terms are today) I saw a lot of gold chains, bracelets and necklaces. And when in the more middle class areas it was rare to see something similar.

TheWalkingMan

That's cos the boys from the Ghetto would steal it from them if they wore it!

I know lot's of Thai people who have gold, the fact that they rarely wear it is another matter.

[ray08]

So teh class of people who buy from Cartier , Tiffany , Bulgari etc are they clasified as low class ,or does the name brand on the jewellery , put them in a different class , really like to hear what people think from this angle ?

[Pepe']

Last night I went out to throw darts and have a couple of good microbrews at the local pub.

I noticed this hot asian chick checking me out as I was throwing.

After my game I sat down to sip a Stone IPA, a dynamite San Diego local brew.

This chick came up and asked about my large garish bracelet and ring.

One thing lead to another. Well she just left my place after a pretty wild night.

The value of Thai gold has just gone way up. I do mean way up!

Oh yeah and God bless Taiwan...

[Tod Daniels]

I have observed the 'thai gold' phenomena since my arrival here in the glorious "Land 'O Thais". In the higher end shopping areas, I don't see the gold flaunted as much as I do in the low end areas. I have also seen a correlation in skin color with the amount of gold worn; with the darker skin tones wearing the most and the lightest skin tones wearing the least. While some might say this is a racial remark, it is something I have observed and so bears mentioning.

I do know many thais who have HUGE stashes of gold horded in their homes as an 'insurance policy'. With the biggest bill here worth about $30.62US; keeping a large amount of cash on hand is bulky. The same in gold is a small easily hidden pile. Most people I know who have gold bought it in China Town at the famous gold shop. It is the one which is so busy you can barely squeeze into the shop on the weekend. Strangely the gold shops across the street; which look like they have the same thing for sale were empty.

As far as foreigners and gold; I have seen all too many guys wearing those coffee coaster sized Jatukam amulets with their over-sized gold necklaces. They are usually the ones with their names tattooed in thai on their arms as well. Then again I live in a prominent tourist area and am forced to co-mingle with people of this ilk.

I stopped caring a LONG time ago what people think of me.

I am NOT arrogant; I am American, deal with it. ..

[xyborg]

<br />Last night I went out to throw darts and have a couple of good microbrews at the local pub.<br /><br />I noticed this hot asian chick checking me out as I was throwing.<br /><br />After my game I sat down to sip a Stone IPA, a dynamite San Diego local brew.<br /><br />This chick came up and asked about my large garish bracelet and ring.<br /><br />One thing lead to another. Well she just left my place after a pretty wild night.<br /><br />The value of Thai gold has just gone way up. I do mean way up!<br /><br />Oh yeah and God bless Taiwan... <img src="style_emoticons/default/cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="cool.gif" /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

Yes but "value" and "taste" are two different things ha ha ha ha ha ;-)