Is Thai Truth Stranger Than Thai Fiction?

[GuestHouse]

I mean honestly, you could not 'make up' the stuff that goes on in this place.

[Who, me ?]

How about some real life examples ?

[samuibeachcomber]

I mean honestly, you could not 'make up' the stuff that goes on in this place.

Is n't that the truth ...........i dont think Thai's know the meaning of the word.

[lannarebirth]

I mean honestly, you could not 'make up' the stuff that goes on in this place.

It's part of the allure, but also equally disturbing. It's a surreal environment often, borne of what Pira Sudhma calls the "addled and schackled mind". Now we know what the world would be like if children were in charge.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Ah I get it, it's a Do-It-Yourself post!

[teacup]

Manytimes…..fiction reveals truth that reality obscures, also

[Lami]

It's a surreal environment often, borne of what Pira Sudhma calls the "addled and schackled mind".

An excellent phrase!

[noahvail]

I mean honestly, you could not 'make up' the stuff that goes on in this place.

I can't recall the author, but I quote: "Truth is stranger than fiction because fiction has to make sense."

[GuestHouse]

How about some real life examples ?

Well I was going to tell you the almost unbelievable but true story about the six foot seventeen guy from Leeds who, during a visit to Uttaradit had a close encounter with a '*****'

But then I see there's already a thread running on lost Libido and I don't want to make things worse... That and the fact he begged me not to tell anyone!

Oops I've had to edit that.

Edited April 8, 2009 by GuestHouse

[anothertorres]

not a day goes by where i don't wonder aloud... "what the fuc_k???".

[myauq]

not a day goes by where i don't wonder aloud... "what the fuc_k???".

yes, the day i stop having those same thoughts is the day i need to start worrying

[noise]

not a day goes by where i don't wonder aloud... "what the fuc_k???".

yes, the day i stop having those same thoughts is the day i need to start worrying

While "life" here is quite different than in some other countries, how is it that much different than many other countries around the world? What is it that should cause us to rate Thailand as being the most unique of all (which is what I am picking out of the comments)?

Life's/cultural peculiarities in our home countries is something that we grew up with, absorbed in tiny, tiny increments from infancy through maturity (?) and, therefore, has sunk to a subconscious level where we do not have to think about. We just "know"/

Here, the little things are at the conscious level and, thus, so much more obvious.

Maybe I need to start worrying?

[Who, me ?]

How about some real life examples ?

Well I was going to tell you the almost unbelievable but true story about the six foot seventeen guy from Leeds who, during a visit to Uttaradit had a close encounter with a '*****'

But then I see there's already a thread running on lost Libido and I don't want to make things worse... That and the fact he begged me not to tell anyone!

Oops I've had to edit that.

[PeaceBlondie]

I agree with 'noise.' Thailand is no more 'unique' than the other countries. My son was a condom salesman and once lived in a cave in Mexico. I had unpaid sex with 18 year olds who were more or less straight. My future son in law lived in the closet in my twins' room, and made my daughter pregnant when they were 16. I rode motorcycle only, all year, for 7 years in Texas. My sister advised me to try anal sex. Truth is stranger.

[t.s]

I agree with 'noise.' Thailand is no more 'unique' than the other countries. My son was a condom salesman and once lived in a cave in Mexico. I had unpaid sex with 18 year olds who were more or less straight. My future son in law lived in the closet in my twins' room, and made my daughter pregnant when they were 16. I rode motorcycle only, all year, for 7 years in Texas. My sister advised me to try anal sex. Truth is stranger.

gee, thanks for sharing.

[Boater]

I agree with 'noise.' Thailand is no more 'unique' than the other countries. My son was a condom salesman and once lived in a cave in Mexico. I had unpaid sex with 18 year olds who were more or less straight. My future son in law lived in the closet in my twins' room, and made my daughter pregnant when they were 16. I rode motorcycle only, all year, for 7 years in Texas. My sister advised me to try anal sex. Truth is stranger.

gee, thanks for sharing.

excuse me while i will go throw up

[Jeddah Jo]

Never understood why Thais say 'Don't think too much' all the time.

Now I understand, if you genuinely thought too much about things out here you would almost certainly go insane.

JJ

[Mossfinn]

Truth is stranger.

Moss

[oevna]

I agree with 'noise.' Thailand is no more 'unique' than the other countries. My son was a condom salesman and once lived in a cave in Mexico. I had unpaid sex with 18 year olds who were more or less straight. My future son in law lived in the closet in my twins' room, and made my daughter pregnant when they were 16. I rode motorcycle only, all year, for 7 years in Texas. My sister advised me to try anal sex. Truth is stranger.

TMI

[sanook2me]

Never understood why Thais say 'Don't think too much' all the time.

Now I understand, if you genuinely thought too much about things out here you would almost certainly go insane.

JJ

"Yooou think too mut" = Stop talking about the truth

Truth = Handsome man

Fiction = I love u long time

[endure]

I mean honestly, you could not 'make up' the stuff that goes on in this place.

I'm slightly surprised that a man as well travelled as you can't accept the fact that each country/culture/people has habits/mores that shock/frighten/bewilder the outside world. The only guarantee for travellers is that they'll find a world of confusion outside their front door.

[tuky]

I mean honestly, you could not 'make up' the stuff that goes on in this place.

I'm slightly surprised that a man as well travelled as you can't accept the fact that each country/culture/people has habits/mores that shock/frighten/bewilder the outside world. The only guarantee for travellers is that they'll find a world of confusion outside their front door.

Perhaps due to GH and his travels this topic is more legit than it would be coming from, lets say, The Donz or similar.

[BigSnake]

No doubt in my mind what so ever it is the Thai Truth that is so strange

[MysteryPlane]

Truth from Thai's is whatever you want to hear that will make you happy.

[klikster]

not a day goes by where i don't wonder aloud... "what the fuc_k???".

About Thailand .. or ThaiVisa?

[BigSnake]

Yes it is, just before the Songkran Hoilday, I saw three ladies(late 20's mid 30), getting off the truck in town for a bit of hold sell shopping/buying at Marko, one was wearing a T-shirt with the F word me hard, the normal smile from all, my guess neither of them had a clue as to what on the T-shirt. In this case for me with not enough Thai to even try to explain the meaning, I figure best to MMOB(MYOB) Strange, there were at least 15 or so other people(mostly women) on that truck, you would think at least one them could have clued her.

Edited April 26, 2009 by BigSnake

[Texpat]

Thais I know frequently practice truth avoidance.

When the truth is distasteful or not sanuk or not acceptable, they merely avoid it.

Grading and ranking students is an example.

The crazy guy in the village that always pisses in the middle of the street -- he just doesn't exist. Nobody wants to face the truth that there's a grown man with his shirt on backwards taking a leak in the street with his drawers down at his ankles.

Yes, truth avoidance works well in MANY situations here.

[featography]

Yes it is, just before the Songkran Hoilday, I saw three ladies(late 20's mid 30), getting off the truck in town for a bit of hold sell shopping/buying at Marko, one was wearing a T-shirt with the F word me hard, the normal smile from all, my guess neither of them had a clue as to what on the T-shirt. In this case for me with not enough Thai to even try to explain the meaning, I figure best to MMOB(MYOB) Strange, there were at least 15 or so other people(mostly women) on that truck, you would think at least one them could have clued her.

I'll testify to that. 2 yrs ago I decided to be polite and bold. I see this everyday, so I started asking the wearers if they knew what their shirts said. 2 Yrs, and I have not found ONE person that can tell me what they're shirts say. My favorite siting was a young man with his testoserone buddies on their bikes, passing the Leo bottle around, down on the corner. His shirt was pink, and the white printing said "BRIDESMAID" with the wedding date and location. When the wife and I see any teens or younger, working along side their parents in the market places, wearing the F word on their shirts, we ask them the same question. When we get the embarrassed NO response, my wife tells them what it says and how the F word is about the most offensive word in the English language. The looks on the girls and parents faces are priceless. Now, someone tell me, cuz I come from the States and wanke_rs isnt a word you hear there. What is a wanke_r? 3 out of 5 shirts with the F word say, F@#$ off wanke_rs.

[F1fanatic]

not a day goes by where i don't wonder aloud... "what the fuc_k???".

yes, the day i stop having those same thoughts is the day i need to start worrying

While "life" here is quite different than in some other countries, how is it that much different than many other countries around the world? What is it that should cause us to rate Thailand as being the most unique of all (which is what I am picking out of the comments)?

Life's/cultural peculiarities in our home countries is something that we grew up with, absorbed in tiny, tiny increments from infancy through maturity (?) and, therefore, has sunk to a subconscious level where we do not have to think about. We just "know"/

Here, the little things are at the conscious level and, thus, so much more obvious.

Maybe I need to start worrying?

Yes, but the OP was not referring to 'peculiarities' - he was talking about lying!

In the Western world we are taught that lying is a sin - which is why we find it v hard to understand or accept/forgive the Thai culture of lying being acceptable to save face/get what you want.

I don't think I'll ever get used to it or accept it, but the '<deleted>' moments are priceless!

[imaneggspurt]

Ah I get it, it's a Do-It-Yourself post!

Sort of a you show me yours and ill show you mine sort of post ,after you .