I'm not doing that again.

[GuestHouse]

I've almost always avoided it, but this last trip I got caught out by an unplanned change to an already tight schedule.

I wound up driving from Sukhothai to Sriracha in the mad dash south on New Year Day, a journey we normally do in a comfortable six hours took us twice that long - Never ever again am I going to travel around Thailand during a public holiday.

I know, it was self inflicted….Still, I did get to ponder once again, what it is that causes so many Thai people to take their fridge, motorbike and portable fan on holiday?

[noikrit]

Glad you had a safe trip !!

[canman]

I used to notice that as well. I can imagine the scene when they arive at their destination

"Teelak my sister, her husband and the 5 kids are here; where can they plug in the fridge and fan?"

[Riley'sLife]

Are you serious? Many Thais rent a room monthly. When they move they take their junk with them. They are either moving room or going back home, with the help of a truck-owning family member. They aren't taking their possessions on holiday!!

[Farma]

Did you ever consider those fridges, fans etc may be gifts for the family?

My wifes family all gather together each year on New Years eve for a celebration. It reminds me of my younger days back home when all my uncles, aunts, cousins would meet at the family beach shack for the Xmas/New Year holidays.

Her family members each bring a gift that goes on a big table with a number attached. As the evening nears end the numbers are drawn out of a hat by the smaller kids and the gifts distributed accordingly.

[wym]

Yes, most likely trophy gifts for the family home. Also likely that some live in accommodation where their valuables would be plundered while they're away, think of those scrap-metal row shacks at the back of building sites all over Bangkok.

Also spare a thought that many millions of kids being raised by grandma are only reunited with their parents when they go back to visit the family home once or twice a year.

Kind of puts getting inconvenienced by heavy traffic into perspective, doesn't it. . .

[willyumiii]

What did the doe say as she limped out of the forest?

" I'm not doing that again for five bucks!"

[thailandbeachisland]

555+ reminds me my first year here...

[lanng khao]

Did you ever consider those fridges, fans etc may be gifts for the family?

My wifes family all gather together each year on New Years eve for a celebration. It reminds me of my younger days back home when all my uncles, aunts, cousins would meet at the family beach shack for the Xmas/New Year holidays.

Her family members each bring a gift that goes on a big table with a number attached. As the evening nears end the numbers are drawn out of a hat by the smaller kids and the gifts distributed accordingly.

that's how I got my wife..

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[NanLaew]

Still, I did get to ponder once again, what it is that causes so many Thai people to take their fridge, motorbike and portable fan on holiday?

And with 4 direct responses to that question alone, it is nice to see that the OP hasn't lost his touch during his 'recess'. Thanks for the giggle.

[meatboy]

I used to notice that as well. I can imagine the scene when they arive at their destination

"Teelak my sister, her husband and the 5 kids are here; where can they plug in the fridge and fan?"

but they left their dogs at home to fend for themselves.they then come home and the dog is missing,poor souls have been scared to death by all the fireworks.

[ignis]

Are you serious? Many Thais rent a room monthly. When they move they take their junk with them. They are either moving room or going back home, with the help of a truck-owning family member. They aren't taking their possessions on holiday!!

Yes is serious they do...

3 houses down in my Village, couple in there mid 40s with a teenager always go north to her Parents, 2x year for Holiday visits, and they always have a big Fridge and a Fan in the pickup for past 10 years, last couple of year also the kids motorbike..

All these many Pickups with Fridges and Fans on Holiday periods cannot be there all moving house. !!

[GuestHouse]

Also spare a thought that many millions of kids being raised by grandma are only reunited with their parents when they go back to visit the family home once or twice a year.

Kind of puts getting inconvenienced by heavy traffic into perspective, doesn't it. . .

It would if it were only Thais who have to work away from home to make a living for their family.

Its not an experience Thais have a monopoly on, but I shall endeavor not to play a part in clogging the roads for them next holiday.

[jackr]

Yes, most likely trophy gifts for the family home. Also likely that some live in accommodation where their valuables would be plundered while they're away, think of those scrap-metal row shacks at the back of building sites all over Bangkok.

Also spare a thought that many millions of kids being raised by grandma are only reunited with their parents when they go back to visit the family home once or twice a year.

Kind of puts getting inconvenienced by heavy traffic into perspective, doesn't it. . .

Not really, all hassles are relative and I sympathise when a Westerner gets stuck in heavy traffic... we're not built very well for that kind of stress.

'Millions of kids' only seeing parents once or twice a year?