Are Many Thais Rude Or Lacking Developed Nation's Common Sense

[johndpoole]

The lack of common courtesy according to Western standards is definitely not a Thai thing. To a certain degree more or less it is an East Asian thing. I have lived in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, PR China and Korea - it happens everywhere. Now guess where this behaviour is most extreme: well, it's definitely Korea. Without going to details - if you feel annoyed here in Thailand you would definitely lose your nerves in Korea. I would say that Thailand is certainly one of the better countries in that respect.

You need to learn to live with what you cannot change.

You are right about dealing with what we cannot change ... though I do believe these issues need and can be changed. I am just not sure as Westerners it is our place. However, I am perfectly fine with bringing them to the attention of Thais and commiserating with others who will also talk more about it. I can tell you that my GF now is much more aware and now gets just as perplexed as me to some of these behaviors ... though being Thai she simply looks at me and smiles. I can tell you I have grown tremendously being here in terms of acceptance of things but as another poster mentioned, it is still frustrating to see things done in ways that cause problems when doing it another way would not only benefit you but all the others around you.

Thailand has a number of more important things to deal with and I certainly hope some of its oddities never change. I also think most tourists don't even notice these things we talk about because they do happen everywhere sometimes and you write it off. But for those that have been here for some time we have come to realize it is more of a norm and I personally just don't comprehend it because it seems like stuff that is common sense or just a kind of respect for others I had thought was a built-in thing to all our characters that of course some people choose to ignore. Thais generally being good people (look at the violent crime rates in BKK given its size) it blows my mind that most of them have this void when it comes to consideration of others even when they have nothing to gain by being inconsiderate.

My conclusion is it will never change unless their is consequences. The guy who cuts in line never gets waited on, the guy who parks his car in the middle of the street comes back to find his car towed or tires slashed, those who push their way on the elevator find themselves on the ground with a firm body slam, put you baby on a motorcylce with no protection then be put in jail ....

Maybe this is why other countries actually show consideration. It is not so much out of niceness as we want to believe but we know there will be consequences that often can mean getting a good butt kicking. But Thais are too ______ (fill in the blank) of being aggressive or direct with people unless they are selling tickets to a show of a women doing tricks with pingpong balls (i think with cigarettes too)

Edited March 16, 2010 by johndpoole

[bendejo]

In comparison to the other countries in SEA, the Thais are probably the most polite (but don't get too carried away with that one!).

The Thai Chinese, on the other hand, can be easy to tell apart: these are the ones who will push you out of the way, knowingly block passageways, deliberately walk into you, cough in your face, etc. Yes, not all of them do that, there are Thai hicks with all the politesse and charm of a cockroach, etc.

Once, while getting off a local bus in Bangkok the woman behind me was carrying a newborn and it was pissing down rain. I held the door opened for her and opened my umbrella, and escorted her and the baby to the nearby bus shelter. On the way there two Chinese lads walked dead into her, nearly knocking the baby out of her arms. They didn't even look back. I saw the Thai version of "if looks could kill" as she watched them retreat.

Probably the crudest thing I've witnessed in an environment that is supposed to be developing is people spitting indoors, on carpets and rugs. Not that unusual in Hong Kong and Macau.

A few years ago Kuala Lumpur was voted one of the rudest places in the world, according to one of these polls by a travel magazine or something. The Malaysian gov't didn't take this too well, and now there are signs all over the KL transit systems that say things like:

Don't stand in the doorway.

Aren't we courteous?

[Samuian]

Personal favorite, reach the top of the escalator and stop there to have a conversation or make a phone call, while other people are crashing into them from behind. It’s baffling.

Okay, I have to be honest. One thing I like about the backwards escalators is at the Esplanade (spelling?) in Huay Kwang. Because they were not designed to be operated this way, when you go down you can see VERY VERUY easily up all the girls dresses going up next to you. In my adventures I've learned that many Thai girls, though always wear a bra, often don't wear panties.

Now, lets just hope this post gets the attention of some girls who will make a stink to the mall but more likely I have just dramatically increased the number of people using the escalator at Esplanade.

Correction: ....it's a misconception, many wear fashionable g-strings, which make it looks like... !

..and to look means you are invading their privacy!

By the way it's the same in MBK...

Will I meet you there going up and down all day long?

Edited March 16, 2010 by Samuian

[Moonrakers]

It is rude.

It has nothing to do with culture either. There are many Thai's who are taught basic manners such as letting others pass or thanking somebody for opening the door. They are just as Thai as the others and so how can not doing it be down to culture.

Many just don't know as they simply are not taught. Just the other day I missed the lift and had to wait for another because. Other people were in the lift and looked straight at me at the doors closed. It was obvious that I wanted to get in but was behind a glass door which I was trying to open. Instead they just looked right at me...... and even smiled at me, all they had to do was hold the doors open for a few seconds.

[LindsayBKK]

Its not rude. It a cultural thing, and not confined just to Thailand. Asians often consider western ways odd too. If you live here, you have to accept that thats the way it is and a few wingeing farangs are not going to change things.

The culture thing is that the Thais watch too much TV and Internet. All they care about is this AF (Academy Fantasia).

Lack of good leaders in this country is also a part, Abhasit is trying his best to set an example.

Thais don't take authority very well.

Thais have a short attention span. If you have a conversation, make it short and to the point or their eyes will look away.

If you call a customer service operator don't be surprised when they hang up on you if they can't answer your question.

My partner is a teacher. lecturer and students often start crying cause they can't answer a question.

That's just the way it is.

The door thing, nobody told them how to.

If it's not taught they won't know it or how to do it.

Edited March 16, 2010 by LindsayBKK

[johndpoole]

Personal favorite, reach the top of the escalator and stop there to have a conversation or make a phone call, while other people are crashing into them from behind. It's baffling.

You beat me to it with that one. But also at the bottom of the escalator too.

And there's hundreds of driving common sense issues too. Now I can understand the motocy riders with a death wish that just turn onto a main road from a side soi without even looking. But what about the car drivers that stop, look, see something coming (and the road clear behind) and then pull out in front of the only vehicle on the road!!

It may sound like I have a death wish but I believe I am making an impact when it comes to pedestrian crossings (the striped white lines). It amazes me to see all these people waiting for traffic to clear at these locations before crossing. Especially on the incredibly busy streets. So, what I do is wait until the first lane has a car far enough out that I know they can stop if I step out and then I step out to the horror of all the other folks waiting until they see the car stops. The trick is to not look at the car coming and "pretend" you don't even notice them and then all of a sudden "they" take responsibility instead of putting on the pedestrian in the legal cross walk. Once that first lane car stops all the other follow suit in the other lanes especially if you again pretend you are not paying the least bit of attention to them and that you believe (as you do) have the right of way.

My GF was so mad at me when I started doing this but now things I am a hero as do all the other dozen plus people waiting to cross.

I don't do it so much on the small Soi's as I found they are just nutty when they want to turn onto to the main roads but if there is a legally marked cross walk regardless of the size of the street, I am walking the minute I see a car in the first land has enough time time to stop for me.

So far so good but if you see my account here on ThaiVisa go quiet then maybe my luck will have run out. But truthfully, the reason drivers give no leeway to pedestrians is because they know they pedestrians are scared and doing all the defensiveness and I found if you pretend you are not paying attention to the cars (and are legally crossing like in a parking lot or cross walk) they will take responsibility. If you look directly at them as they are coming at you, they will not even slow because they know you will get out of the way.

[bonobo]

Rudeness is cultural.  It is based on the perspective of the prevalent culture.  If a person is acting within the cultural norms, then by definition, he or she is not being rude.

The seeming lack of consideration is very grating to most westerners (myself included).  But that is the norm here.  However, the norm for westerners, well, Americans, at least, is often considered rude by non-Americans, too. I had a European girlfriend who was appalled by the "rude" strangers in the US who said hello to her in the grocery line or started conversations.  For me, this is just being friendly.  For her, this was an unwanted intrusion into her privacy. 

As a driver here in Thailand, I get extremely frustrated with the bulk of the other drivers.  For example, there is a turn off on Putomonthon 4 where drivers often have to wait for 5 or 10 minutes to take the turn, partially because other drivers do not want to wait and drive along the side of the queue before pushing in at the front.  I get fed up with this after waiting my turn, so I sometimes edge out to the side, thereby not leaving enough room for others to scoot ahead and cut in line.  When I have a Thai in the car, they usually express surprise that I am being rude.  When I reply that I think the other drivers who are cutting are rude, they tell me that maybe the other driver is in a hurry, or that they "want" to go faster, so I am being rude for keeping them from bypassing all of us who have been waiting.

Everything is in context here.  Rudeness is a perception we make based on our cultural norms of what is right and wrong.  There are no universals here.

[johndpoole]

In comparison to the other countries in SEA, the Thais are probably the most polite (but don't get too carried away with that one!).

The Thai Chinese, on the other hand, can be easy to tell apart: these are the ones who will push you out of the way, knowingly block passageways, deliberately walk into you, cough in your face, etc. Yes, not all of them do that, there are Thai hicks with all the politesse and charm of a cockroach, etc.

Once, while getting off a local bus in Bangkok the woman behind me was carrying a newborn and it was pissing down rain. I held the door opened for her and opened my umbrella, and escorted her and the baby to the nearby bus shelter. On the way there two Chinese lads walked dead into her, nearly knocking the baby out of her arms. They didn't even look back. I saw the Thai version of "if looks could kill" as she watched them retreat.

Probably the crudest thing I've witnessed in an environment that is supposed to be developing is people spitting indoors, on carpets and rugs. Not that unusual in Hong Kong and Macau.

A few years ago Kuala Lumpur was voted one of the rudest places in the world, according to one of these polls by a travel magazine or something. The Malaysian gov't didn't take this too well, and now there are signs all over the KL transit systems that say things like:

Don't stand in the doorway.

Aren't we courteous?

Strange thing while I was in KL w/my Thai GF doing an EDU Visa run. We were in McDonalds and don't ask why but we both ordered happy meals. So, ended up with 2 toys. There were a number of kids there and we tried to give the unopened toys to a number of them and they all politely declined. We ended up taking our trash off the table but leaving the toys thinking one of the kids would grab them after we left (maybe they were shy). So, I took up a position outside where I couldn't be seen and after about 5 minutes an employee picked them up and took them away. I know this is a trivial thing but I was just shocked none of the kids would take the gift from us. At first I thought because I was a westerner and then had my Thai GF try with the same results ... even just putting them on two sister's table only to have the girl smile and hand them back to her. Any clue what was up with that? And we are two very normal, nicely dresses and healthy looking smiling people.

[PeaceBlondie]

Move out of BKK. Don't expect Western courtesy. Learn Thai or make them actually speak English. Pay for courtesy. Relax.

[TAWP]

As someone that uses MRT, BTS and MC bike daily and therefor encounter a lot of these situations, I can tell you that it is not some minority that lacks the understanding of courtesy to others. If the person is someone they don't know, personally or from fame, and therefor know they are supposed to kiss up to them, they will completely ignore the needs of others.

When one has to push their way past people EVERY time one exits the MRT or BTS, something is clearly not intermittent.

[james24]

I think because many are scitzophrenically unstable that most of their attention is on holding it together so things that everyone has been touching on probably doesnt get through. This isnt a Thai bash just something I have noticed.

[james24]

I think because many are mentally unstable and severely paranoid about how they look to others that most of their attention is on holding it together so things that everyone has been touching on probably doesnt get through. This isnt a Thai bash just something I have noticed.

Edited March 16, 2010 by james24

[johndpoole]

Rudeness is cultural.  It is based on the perspective of the prevalent culture.  If a person is acting within the cultural norms, then by definition, he or she is not being rude.

The seeming lack of consideration is very grating to most westerners (myself included).  But that is the norm here.  However, the norm for westerners, well, Americans, at least, is often considered rude by non-Americans, too. I had a European girlfriend who was appalled by the "rude" strangers in the US who said hello to her in the grocery line or started conversations.  For me, this is just being friendly.  For her, this was an unwanted intrusion into her privacy. 

As a driver here in Thailand, I get extremely frustrated with the bulk of the other drivers.  For example, there is a turn off on Putomonthon 4 where drivers often have to wait for 5 or 10 minutes to take the turn, partially because other drivers do not want to wait and drive along the side of the queue before pushing in at the front.  I get fed up with this after waiting my turn, so I sometimes edge out to the side, thereby not leaving enough room for others to scoot ahead and cut in line.  When I have a Thai in the car, they usually express surprise that I am being rude.  When I reply that I think the other drivers who are cutting are rude, they tell me that maybe the other driver is in a hurry, or that they "want" to go faster, so I am being rude for keeping them from bypassing all of us who have been waiting.

Everything is in context here.  Rudeness is a perception we make based on our cultural norms of what is right and wrong.  There are no universals here.

Interesting ... what part of America you from? I have lived all around and you reminded me of how I had to get used to different cultures just within the states. In some parts of the US it really is rude or at least intruding to spark up a conversation with stranger in a line. A lot of it is personality but personalities seem to be similar depending on what part of the US you are in.

When I was trying to get my GF a visa to the US I remembered telling her that she needed to make sure she didn't smile at men as a way of a passing hello or even in other circumstances because an attractive women smiling at a man in the US is an invitation to speak and a sign you are interested in them.

Somebody else made a comment here about education and being taught politeness and that probably has a lot of validity too. But I just don't buy it so much because even uneducated people living in the sticks that move to a city begin to observe very quickly how to do things. The problem in at least BKK (and hearing most of SEA) is they are doing what they are observing and that means sometimes being incredibly inconsiderate.

And I just can't help but go back to something like letting a door slam in somebody's face?!?!?!? How can any person with any sense of other people having feelings (both physical and mental pain) not realize they are doing somebody harm by not being aware if the spring loaded door they are letting go of is going to slam into some old women or mother holding her infant child.

Or how about the first time you park your car and block traffic for a kilometer. You walk out and see what havoc you caused to your fellow human. So, why would you do the same thing again if another option is available? And how is this any different then blocking traffic with your body as you hold your middle finger up to all the drivers that cannot pass?

And don't get me going with the infants and kids on a motorcycle while the parents are wearing helmets and the kids are not. THIS IS NOT CULTURE ... PROTECTING YOUR KIDS IS SOMETHING INSTILLED IN ALL PARENTS ... except for obviously the MANY people we see every day like this ...

Yes, mom and dad are wearing a helmet but what about the kids? Is this really the culture? If they can only afford two helmets then put them on the kids. All the other crap is irritating but I get very upset when I see this sh@t or especially when they are holding an infant on a motorbike who will probably take an hour to find after an accident and the baby becomes a human missle flying God knows where. I have a hard time buying these people can afford a motorbike but not a taxi or subway/sky train ride when they MUST take the kid out with them. And shame on the police for not reading these people the riot act when they see this. Give them a written warning (i know money is tough) but the second time then take them to jail for a day or two. I am pretty sure in the US you would have your kids taken away for doing this once but at least they would likely go to a nice home while mom and dad fought to get them back. I don't even want to think of what happens to state kids in Thailand ... Angela Jolie can only adopt so many.

Edited March 16, 2010 by johndpoole

[jdinasia]

What you consider 'rude' is cultural as was pointed out to you. Drop your concept of what are "proper manners" from the West and learn what is proper here.

That being said ... some things are just stupid (not rude ... stupid).

[FM505]

Bottom line to the singular topic:

When there is an advantage for them (or something to gain), the politeness, awareness, and general attitude improves markedly...

[tigerfish]

i simply aply the 6 ft 1 inch and 105 kilos of pure farang rule?

pushing in when queing, walking head on, blocking the whole sidewalk when walking in groups, bts, elevators, etc.....

its amazing how quickly they catch on

[johndpoole]

I think because many are mentally unstable and severely paranoid about how they look to others that most of their attention is on holding it together so things that everyone has been touching on probably doesnt get through. This isnt a Thai bash just something I have noticed.

Talking about how they look ... does anyone have a Thai GF or Wife that doesn't keep their face glued on the mirror when using an elevator or some other space where there is a mirror available are waiting for something. I think all women like to make sure they look good and do a quick glance in the mirror but I've noticed Thai girls seem to get hypnotized by them.

[johndpoole]

What you consider 'rude' is cultural as was pointed out to you. Drop your concept of what are "proper manners" from the West and learn what is proper here.

That being said ... some things are just stupid (not rude ... stupid).

I was trying to watch my words somewhat during my rants because I didn't want to come off like a Thai hater. Normally I let the stuff go but the last week has just seen one thing after another of bizzare and stupid behavior that a) I needed to know it was just not me. and try to get some understanding on it.

[Lancelot]

Most Thais are in their own little world. To be fair, its becomming more and more that way in the west as well.

With instant communications, television, etc, people have become self absorbed and forgotten -or never learned- basic manners and consideration for others.

My 2 satang

[johndpoole]

THAIS CAN LEARN ...

Felling a little better now knowing I am not alone and at least getting some "possible" insights to these actions as well as learning it is more of an Asian thing than just Thai. Though a little perplexing because I always thought Japanese were very into politeness and manners but anyway ....

With my mind more clear I realize the Thais in the Condo where I live in Huay Kwang have changed considerably since my arrival a year ago. There are only a few of us farang here and it is a huge complex with 6 or so buildings. But because us farangs hold doors and elevators I now just realized I rarely have these problems at my building or even when visiting the other buildings now. I even get thank you or smiles when holding the door and women hold the door for me but I try to immediately grab the door to let them know it is the man's job but at least they are aware I am behind them. Now we even have a security guard that often stations himself at the door and opens it for everyone.

Our elevator system sucks in terms of the doors closing seconds after you enter and before nobody every considered holding the door when they saw somebody else coming and now most do. Worse the elevators only have a sensor on one door so if they close when you are in the middle you get a good knock by the metal doors until the rubber sense hits you on side.

I need to pay closer attention to see if they are just being nice to me and my GF since we are nice to them but I am pretty sure they now show this same courtesy to everyone.

So, there is surely hope if us westerners continue to try to show these expected manners rather than becoming like them but when it comes to walking down the street people are still going to be feeling my shoulder for a good few minutes when they don't move. That was another pet peeve I left out ... why the hel_l is it they always expect me to get sideways when we pass on a sidewalk as opposed to both parties moving a little. I have found a good shoulder block tells all the people coming after that I will not be punished for being a polite guy. And as for the sky train and BTS, I just don't let them on until they let me off or again they get to feel a good shoulder hit regardless of man or women ... without consequence or reward I've discovered most people don't learn.

As for the people in my complex, the rewards is we are all happy to see each other and become closer friends everyday as we see each other at the pool, 7-11 or food stalls on the street. Plus they really seem to enjoy being nice. There is almost a proudness in their smile when they are able to hold the door or elevator when they see us coming.

[Lost in LOS]

Asians everywhere [including Japanese] drive me crazy, when walking in front of you, or walking towards you, and then just make a turn directly in front of you, no warning, not waiting, no sorry, nothing. I have run into many Japanese tourists when I lived in Hawaii, they walk towards you singularly, or in a group, and make a turn directly in front of you, without warning. I have knocked a couple on the butts since there was no way to stop. They don't say anything, or seem angry, just get up and go on their way. very strange, must happen to them a lot

yep all of the things in the posts are true and frustrating but TIT and we have to conform. I have gotten in arguments with people in America, that come from another country, telling us how we should do it, and explaining that's not the way they do it in their country. Now its my turn to be frustrated but I wouldn't move away from here for anything

[bonobo]

Rudeness is cultural.  It is based on the perspective of the prevalent culture.  If a person is acting within the cultural norms, then by definition, he or she is not being rude.

The seeming lack of consideration is very grating to most westerners (myself included).  But that is the norm here.  However, the norm for westerners, well, Americans, at least, is often considered rude by non-Americans, too. I had a European girlfriend who was appalled by the "rude" strangers in the US who said hello to her in the grocery line or started conversations.  For me, this is just being friendly.  For her, this was an unwanted intrusion into her privacy. 

.

Interesting ... what part of America you from? I have lived all around and you reminded me of how I had to get used to different cultures just within the states. In some parts of the US it really is rude or at least intruding to spark up a conversation with stranger in a line. A lot of it is personality but personalities seem to be similar depending on what part of the US you are in.

I have lived all over the US, but this took place in San Diego, and my g/f was Italian.

[kurnell]

Not sure if this is a cultural thing. I've noticed that Thai colleagues appear much more polite, holding doors, making space at kitchen counter, allowing me to walk first if we meet in a hallway etc. than Thais I see in the general public. So Thais do have a sense of courtesy, they just don't show it out in the public, where it seems to be more dog eat dog. Just like changing lanes when in traffic. If you want to merge into another lane, Thais take it as a serious affront that you want to push in front of them, so immediately cut you off. Baffling.

[somtampet]

I think they are too oblivious to whats going on around them.The same problem in large supermarkets,they park the trolley right in the middle of the alley and leave it there.The other crazy thing that makes me laugh is a thai lady is incapable of actualy walking towards somebody and moving,she seems to have a big problem,and the women seem to have a problem between right and left too.

[WeeGB]

I used to ask my ex if she could walk a little bit faster, she would answer I have been walking this speed for 27 years but would stop while she was talking. I would say you don't have to stop walking when you talk you should be able to walk and talk. She would say it's considered rude to walk and talk.

Thailand has blondes??

[somtampet]

The biggest nuicance for me is why do thais like to have music blaring at ear splitting decibels.

[johndpoole]

Most Thais are in their own little world. To be fair, its becomming more and more that way in the west as well.

With instant communications, television, etc, people have become self absorbed and forgotten -or never learned- basic manners and consideration for others.

My 2 satang

I think the Thai/Asian things goes deeper but you have a great point. My kid just graduated college and landed a great job but when he was growing up I was so concerned about his ability to relate to people on an in person level because he spent so much time on the computer. When young he went out all the time but then when he got into his teens he and his friends did all their communicating by computer and playing those games where they all are part of the game and communicate via mic and headset. I pushed him to take communication and public speaking classes and everything turned out well and he got a degree in Electronics and Computers but I was very worried for a while about his ability to communicate and relate to people or sell himself because he seemed to never practice it much even on a social level of getting in trouble with friends. He spent his last few years living on campus at college and I think that helped him a lot.

Point is you have a very good point. And in some ways it does relate. You know how they shorten words or use accronyms (LOL, BRB, <deleted>) on the computer ... Thais also love to shorten words (Moe-Sie) and use what we would call broken English in their normal speaking. No pronouns and dropping any word that isn't a must have in a sentence.

You got me wondering now if Westerner's will be influencing the Asians or if in 10 years time Westerns will be more like Asians.

[johndpoole]

Rudeness is cultural.  It is based on the perspective of the prevalent culture.  If a person is acting within the cultural norms, then by definition, he or she is not being rude.

The seeming lack of consideration is very grating to most westerners (myself included).  But that is the norm here.  However, the norm for westerners, well, Americans, at least, is often considered rude by non-Americans, too. I had a European girlfriend who was appalled by the "rude" strangers in the US who said hello to her in the grocery line or started conversations.  For me, this is just being friendly.  For her, this was an unwanted intrusion into her privacy. 

.

Interesting ... what part of America you from? I have lived all around and you reminded me of how I had to get used to different cultures just within the states. In some parts of the US it really is rude or at least intruding to spark up a conversation with stranger in a line. A lot of it is personality but personalities seem to be similar depending on what part of the US you are in.

I have lived all over the US, but this took place in San Diego, and my g/f was Italian.

I moved from CT (right outside NY) to a suburb of LA in my late teens. Although San Diego I believe have much nicer people, LA area is the same in terms of people being talkative you meet. I really found it creepy at first and thought people were trying to get something from me. Even the shopkeepers had me wondering why they hel_l do they want to chit chat with me ... just sell me my dam_n smokes.

After a few more stops, I landed in NC where as soon as you walk into a convinience store you hear "hello honey" or how you doin today sugar" ... I found this so phoney and creepy at first but then grew to really like it and found the folks were generally sincere and just liked to be warm.

Funniest place I ever lived was Vermont. I thought the people there would be great and friendly but they were all suspicious of us as they were of any "flat landers" moving up there. Got the feeling most of them were either in witness protection or hiding from the Feds. Maybe it was where I lived but it was not what I expected in terms of neighbors helping neighbors ... unless you lived there 20+ years.

I originally missed the honesty and directness of NY'ers before going to Calif. and felt folks were more real. If somebody talked to you nice then you would become friends where everyone in Calif. talks to you nice and it doesn't mean much. However, after going back I really didn't get that same sense from the NY / Tri-State area. People just seemed more rude and too many problems or issues to give anyone the time of day.

[Scott]

This morning on my way to work during rush hour traffic, there was a guy on a bicycle who managed to keep the traffic at a crawl. The traffic moves through a rather small soi between two very busy roads. There is a turn-off in the middle of the soi that goes to an expressway. The guy on the bike gets into the middle of the intersection, partly because he couldn't make it through with the car in front of him, he then stops, which stopped all traffic and slowly and calmly lit a cigarette and then slowly peddled off!

I wish I would have had a video, because it was rather comical. He appeared to be completely oblivious to the mess he was causing!!

In some ways I envy him; I wish I could a little bit more (not completely), but more, like that!

[johndpoole]

The biggest nuicance for me is why do thais like to have music blaring at ear splitting decibels.

This would not be so bad if it was not Thai music, lol.

Actually I am not much of a party drinker anymore but would go the HardRock Cafe and although the music is great, you can't talk and it is not like a dance place. It has a bar, tables and serve food.

Been running into money issues lately and I've actually started going to Soi Cowboy early when we want to drink. Most of the places have happy hour until the shows get going around 8 PM and you can get 40 to 75 baht drinks sitting out in front of the Go Go patios either watching a game or heaing some background music from inside the bar if they have even started the music yet.