Two stories that show that not every Thai is greedy and egoistic

[kandi]

I wouldn't consider myself a Thai basher, but I do and always will criticize where I think something goes wrong. This also includes Thailand and its people. I know many people - especially Thais - think differently, in their opinion I as a foreigner simply don't have the right to criticize anything because it's "their country". Then at least be honest and put it in the constution. I'd be the first one who shuts up. Or leaves.

As long as this doesn't happen, I'll just stick to this other little point called freemdom of speech. In my opinion, everyone has the right to critisize everything. Moreover, I think that critisizing is a duty of every citizen. Because only that gives people the chance to think about something and - if they agree - change it eventually. The mistake many people always do is thinking that the one who critisizes is just doing it for some kind of inner satisfaction by pointing out the negative. But don't forget: People critisize with the intention to IMPROVE something, not to worsen it.

And one more thing seems to be forgotten all the time: My criticism does not represent my personal opinion. Even though I critisize a lot, I still love this country and (most of) its people. That's why I live here. There're so many things every day that makes me love and appreciate my life even more. The only difference is: We don't talk about them. It just seems to be people's nature to only be interested in the negative things and keep the good ones for themselves.

So, long bla bla, short outcome: Because there has been quite a log of criticism on here lately, I thought I'll share two little PRO Thai(land) stories from today.

1. In the evening I picked up my girlfriend from her hotel where she works. We walked over the crossing bridge and went to the bus stop to wait for our bus. Maybe 15, 20 other people were standing there, and suddenly there was a noise that sounded like something fell down.

I turned around and saw a school girl, maybe 12, 13 years old, laying face down on the street next to the pavement. Within seconds, there were people standing around her, and two or three of them sat down to her and tried to talk to her.

They put a bag under her head and raised her legs a little to let the blood flow back to her brain. A driver of one of these little green cars which looks a bit like tuk tuks got out off his car and went up to them. After a short talk, they carried her to the car and put her in the back before driving to the hospital.

2. Only an hour later we were in a restaurant near Khao San Road for a quick dinner because it was on our way. A few minutes after we had left, my girlfriend

realised she didn't have her phone with her. She checked everything, her bag, her pockes, but nothing.

I called her number and after a while somebody picked up, loud noises in the background. I didn't understand much, but apparently that person could imagine already why I called. He kept repeating the name of the restaurant we just had been to.

We went back and went straight to the waiter, thinking that one of the staff had found it after we left. He said he didn't hear anything, and we better shouldn't expect to get it back. We called the number again and then we saw a group of young Thai guys sitting at a table and waving us to them. The gave us back the phone with a wai.

No explanation, no conclusion, just two short stories that show that even so called "Thai bashers" know that not everyone in Thailand is corrupt, greedy and egoistic.

[benalibina]

Everybody knows that not all thais are greedy, corrupt and egoistic.

[transam]

Don't really see your point. Sounds like normal stuff to me. You are even lucky or unlucky what ever country one is in. As for helping a kid, I think many would, what ever country one is in.

[kurnell]

I lost my iphone last week and a Thai chef found it and returned it. Sorry, I can't cook up a better story than that.

[kandi]

Don't really see your point. Sounds like normal stuff to me. You are even lucky or unlucky what ever country one is in. As for helping a kid, I think many would, what ever country one is in.

Well, to me it's not that normal. I've seen things that almost made me lose faith in humanity...

[snake24]

As long as this doesn't happen, I'll just stick to this other little point called freemdom of speech. In my opinion, everyone has the right to critisize everything. Moreover, I think that critisizing is a duty of every citizen. Because only that gives people the chance to think about something and - if they agree - change it eventually. The mistake many people always do is thinking that the one who critisizes is just doing it for some kind of inner satisfaction by pointing out the negative. But don't forget: People critisize with the intention to IMPROVE something, not to worsen it.

It's odd cos if you do it with some the farangs here they would be offended.

Well what great insight OP has provided for us that not everyone from a single country behaves exactly the same. Great discovery.

[transam]

Don't really see your point. Sounds like normal stuff to me. You are even lucky or unlucky what ever country one is in. As for helping a kid, I think many would, what ever country one is in.

Well, to me it's not that normal. I've seen things that almost made me lose faith in humanity...

Think we all have at one time or another.

[papa al]

I went to Koh Larn early this morning and rented a motorbike from Boys Rental.

( from the dock, left (south), down the road 100m-ish on the left.)

I paid the 200 baht. She told me to return the bike by 5PM.

I concluded my business in just 90 minutes and returned the bike.

When the shop keeper Ann returned my passport, she gave me a 100 baht refund.

"You use short time."

Wow.

[robblok]

Thais are like all other people in the world some good some bad. I have my fair share of bad things to say about Thais but a large part is because we are outsiders and often think that bad things that happen to us are because we are outsiders.

If a Thai get robbed he cant say its because I am Thai if a farang got robbed he might say its because he is a farang and not because he is in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Does not mean we don't got the odds stacked against us but we might also see more into things then there actually is

[northernjohn]

Thais are like all other people in the world some good some bad. I have my fair share of bad things to say about Thais but a large part is because we are outsiders and often think that bad things that happen to us are because we are outsiders.

If a Thai get robbed he cant say its because I am Thai if a farang got robbed he might say its because he is a farang and not because he is in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Does not mean we don't got the odds stacked against us but we might also see more into things then there actually is

I think it is to a degree are inability to leave are western ideas behind and use the Thai way of thinking. I can not ever foresee the time when I will be able to look at everything with the same attitude the Thais do. But the one thing I am learning is a lot of the time it is just not that important to me. To others it may be a monumental thing. We are all different. I am retired and in no hurry to get myself upset and take away from enjoyable times with petty things.

Yes there are definatly times when we are marked but I think a lot of it we bring on are selves. For good experiences I use the tuck tuck's a lot here in Chiang Mai and the songthaews. When I leave the building all I have to do is point and the drivers know where I am going. If on occasion they are waiting for a prearranged passenger they will get another tuck tuck and explain to them where I am going.

I remember once leaving my credit card in the ATM on the way home I got to thinking about it and checked my wallet sure enough it was not there. I went back to the bank and went inside the lady was more than obliging. She went and got a box of cards that had been left in the machine. It was not there so she went to the manager and got the key to open the machine and sure enough it was there. When I came out the same tuck tuck driver was still there and did not charge me any thing extra.

[jdinasia]

"Moreover, I think that critisizing is a duty of every citizen. " .... That kind of requires being a citizen Additionally, people quite often criticize simply to point out the negatives because they feel week, isolated, and inferior, and thus simply point out the negatives to show (in their own minds) how their beliefs are better and thus they are actually superior.

[benalibina]

"Moreover, I think that critisizing is a duty of every citizen. " .... That kind of requires being a citizen Additionally, people quite often criticize simply to point out the negatives because they feel week, isolated, and inferior, and thus simply point out the negatives to show (in their own minds) how their beliefs are better and thus they are actually superior.

Critisizing can indeed be done based on superiority , out of a inferioritycomplex. However i always try to listen WHAT somebody says. To critisize is because i care. I can substantiate as well. Reason. There is a reason why many of the foreigners living in thailand can do that. Education, life experience thus knowledge and empathy. 1 either accepts that or not. If not 1 must be able to explain WHY !

[Ulysses G.]

Thais are like all other people in the world some good some bad.

Exactly and many Thais are very honorable, kind and generous. I have had LOTS of wonderful experiences proving this, over the last two decades.