What has surprised you in Thailand?

[garrya]

As I am leaving Thailand I am overwhelmed with all sorts of feelings about the place. I was wondering if I wrote a post on something interesting before leaving. When posters leave Thailand, they tend to give their rather dismal opinions on why they have to leave. As a result, a usual clash brakes out between the apologists and the Thai bashers. That’s boring. How can people argue over experiences and observations of others? You can’t take away someone’s experiences for sure.

And here comes my idea: instead of the usual stuff, I am trying to give a short summary on what things have surprised me or what things have turned out to be different from what I expected. And I ask other posters to share their surprises.

As a note: I am neither bashing nor praising the place. Also, I have gathered my experiences in Hatyai and Songkhla province as well as during my trips around Thailand. I speak, read and write in Thai, and I have had the chance to use these skills during my stay. Note: Sometimes, it’s shocking to know what Thais talked about us foreigners.

Ok, here is the list:

- I thought most of the Thais can cook (I don’t know why). Nope. Only a small fraction of them can cook confidently.

- The weather. It’s much more boring than I thought. However, it’s fairly easy to cope with it. It’s never extremely hot (for me). Also, the number of cloudy days is much higher than I thought.

- The people are as friendly as I expected. However, in my experiences, friendliness doesn’t couple with helpfulness.

- Driving is smoother and easier in a couple of places than I thought. For example: Bangkok, Prachin Buri, Kanchanaburi. On the other hand, the drivers in Trang, Pattalung and Songkhla are like a nightmare. Quite a large proportion of them shows absolutely no regards to any road related laws.

- Much more people speak English than I thought before. They are just overly shy. All the doctors I have met could converse in English. Teachers, on the other hand, showed extremely low level of English language competence.

- Alcohol. For some reason I thought Thais don’t really consume alcohol. Lol. I have met scores of daily drinkers. Most of them are men.

- The incompetence in bureaucracy is abysmal. Apart from a few cases, I have had loads of problems. This includes immigration, local council, Teacher’s Council, banks and school bureaucracy.

- We all know that corruption is deep-rooted in Thailand. It’s really everywhere. It’s on an unimaginable level.

- I thought that there were lot of handymen around, yet I couldn’t find an available plumber for months. On the other hand, getting certain services is as easy as pie. For example: motorbike repair services, car cleaning services etc.

- Before I moved to Thailand I had the feeling that Thais are introverted in general. This wasn’t true.

- Dishonesty and all sorts of lies were another huge disappointment for me.

- I thought Thai people don’t really have ideas about the problems in the country. Wrong. I have met loads of people who are aware of and would talk about their frustrations about the problems in the society. The problem is that they would never express their opinions openly.

All in all, living in Thailand has been an invaluable experience, and I don’t regret having lived here. However, I don’t think I will ever come back for another round.

I know some posters would disagree with my list above, but I would like to point out that I have only jotted down my experiences.

Anyways, what has surprised you in Thailand?

Bye-bye Thailand

[nidieunimaitre]

BAD surprises: Thai style Buddhism, Thai kitchen, behavior of the Hiso, Thai music

GOOD surprises: my wife's son and his wife, food markets, cost of living, inventiveness of the Thai people

[jdinasia]

Nothing in your post I disagree with other than driving in BKK, but it wasn't too bad at first, I didn't think driving in Songkhla was too bad. Perhaps familiarity breeds contempt?

[garrya]

Nothing in your post I disagree with other than driving in BKK, but it wasn't too bad at first, I didn't think driving in Songkhla was too bad. Perhaps familiarity breeds contempt?

I don't know. Bangkok looks fast but organised. In Hatyai is like a disturbed ant-hill. Left, right, slow, fast, run red lights, double and triple parking, no lights at night etc. I enjoyed driving in Bangkok. I know many people who bought their licences instead of taking a test.

[mogandave]

I'm surprised that so many westerners speak, read and write fluent Thai, yet I never actually meet or much less hire any of them.

Edited February 27, 2015 by mogandave

[Soutpeel]

what has surprised me over the years is the number of completely dysfunctional foreigners who are living in the country,

yeah everywhere I have worked in "foreign" countries, you get the odd 1 or 2 nut jobs who have arrived on a banana boat, but Thailand must the be the regional hub for "broken"/disturbed/dysfunctional foreigners. there many who should be in padded cells for their own protection.

and then we have the another demographic of those who have have never traveled outside their own country until the prospect of a cheap available women grew too strong for them and they up root themselves and transplant themselves to Nakon Nowhere shacked up with some bint,with splayed toes and a trick pelvis who gave them the goo goo eyes and promised to love them long time and they are absolutely clueless

[Soutpeel]

Nothing in your post I disagree with other than driving in BKK, but it wasn't too bad at first, I didn't think driving in Songkhla was too bad. Perhaps familiarity breeds contempt?

I don't know. Bangkok looks fast but organised. In Hatyai is like a disturbed ant-hill. Left, right, slow, fast, run red lights, double and triple parking, no lights at night etc. I enjoyed driving in Bangkok. I know many people who bought their licences instead of taking a test.

I think once you get used to driving in Thailand, nowhere is really that bad, when I first started driving myself in Thailand 14 years ago, the prospect of driving in BKK used to really "scare" the shit out of me, now nothing bothers me anymore as regards driving and i have driven country wide

[nidieunimaitre]

what has surprised me over the years is the number of completely dysfunctional foreigners who are living in the country,

yeah everywhere I have worked in "foreign" countries, you get the odd 1 or 2 nut jobs who have arrived on a banana boat, but Thailand must the be the regional hub for "broken"/disturbed/dysfunctional foreigners. there many who should be in padded cells for their own protection.

and then we have the another demographic of those who have have never traveled outside their own country until the prospect of a cheap available women grew too strong for them and they up root themselves and transplant themselves to Nakon Nowhere shacked up with some bint,with splayed toes and a trick pelvis who gave them the goo goo eyes and promised to love them long time and they are absolutely clueless

Where exactly do you meet these completely dysfunctional foreigners, and what are you doing in those places?

[Soutpeel]

what has surprised me over the years is the number of completely dysfunctional foreigners who are living in the country,

yeah everywhere I have worked in "foreign" countries, you get the odd 1 or 2 nut jobs who have arrived on a banana boat, but Thailand must the be the regional hub for "broken"/disturbed/dysfunctional foreigners. there many who should be in padded cells for their own protection.

and then we have the another demographic of those who have have never traveled outside their own country until the prospect of a cheap available women grew too strong for them and they up root themselves and transplant themselves to Nakon Nowhere shacked up with some bint,with splayed toes and a trick pelvis who gave them the goo goo eyes and promised to love them long time and they are absolutely clueless

Where exactly do you meet these completely dysfunctional foreigners, and what are you doing in those places?

Dear boy, one only has to open ones eyes in many public places in the major population centers in the country, to see this.

unless of course you live in Nakom Nowhere per the second demographic and you would be forgiven for not seeing this

[mogandave]

what has surprised me over the years is the number of completely dysfunctional foreigners who are living in the country,

yeah everywhere I have worked in "foreign" countries, you get the odd 1 or 2 nut jobs who have arrived on a banana boat, but Thailand must the be the regional hub for "broken"/disturbed/dysfunctional foreigners. there many who should be in padded cells for their own protection.

and then we have the another demographic of those who have have never traveled outside their own country until the prospect of a cheap available women grew too strong for them and they up root themselves and transplant themselves to Nakon Nowhere shacked up with some bint,with splayed toes and a trick pelvis who gave them the goo goo eyes and promised to love them long time and they are absolutely clueless

Where exactly do you meet these completely dysfunctional foreigners, and what are you doing in those places?

Maybe he's a teacher...

[nidieunimaitre]

what has surprised me over the years is the number of completely dysfunctional foreigners who are living in the country,

yeah everywhere I have worked in "foreign" countries, you get the odd 1 or 2 nut jobs who have arrived on a banana boat, but Thailand must the be the regional hub for "broken"/disturbed/dysfunctional foreigners. there many who should be in padded cells for their own protection.

and then we have the another demographic of those who have have never traveled outside their own country until the prospect of a cheap available women grew too strong for them and they up root themselves and transplant themselves to Nakon Nowhere shacked up with some bint,with splayed toes and a trick pelvis who gave them the goo goo eyes and promised to love them long time and they are absolutely clueless

Where exactly do you meet these completely dysfunctional foreigners, and what are you doing in those places?

Dear boy, one only has to open ones eyes in many public places in the major population centers in the country, to see this.

unless of course you live in Nakom Nowhere per the second demographic and you would be forgiven for not seeing this

BOY????????? You call me BOY????????

Are you suggesting that I am from Africa?

<deleted>

I have lived in BKK, Bangsaen and Chanthaburi, but obviously never frequented the places where you hang around.

[Soutpeel]

what has surprised me over the years is the number of completely dysfunctional foreigners who are living in the country,

yeah everywhere I have worked in "foreign" countries, you get the odd 1 or 2 nut jobs who have arrived on a banana boat, but Thailand must the be the regional hub for "broken"/disturbed/dysfunctional foreigners. there many who should be in padded cells for their own protection.

and then we have the another demographic of those who have have never traveled outside their own country until the prospect of a cheap available women grew too strong for them and they up root themselves and transplant themselves to Nakon Nowhere shacked up with some bint,with splayed toes and a trick pelvis who gave them the goo goo eyes and promised to love them long time and they are absolutely clueless

Where exactly do you meet these completely dysfunctional foreigners, and what are you doing in those places?

Maybe he's a teacher...

and maybe he is not your honor

[Soutpeel]

what has surprised me over the years is the number of completely dysfunctional foreigners who are living in the country,

yeah everywhere I have worked in "foreign" countries, you get the odd 1 or 2 nut jobs who have arrived on a banana boat, but Thailand must the be the regional hub for "broken"/disturbed/dysfunctional foreigners. there many who should be in padded cells for their own protection.

and then we have the another demographic of those who have have never traveled outside their own country until the prospect of a cheap available women grew too strong for them and they up root themselves and transplant themselves to Nakon Nowhere shacked up with some bint,with splayed toes and a trick pelvis who gave them the goo goo eyes and promised to love them long time and they are absolutely clueless

Where exactly do you meet these completely dysfunctional foreigners, and what are you doing in those places?

Dear boy, one only has to open ones eyes in many public places in the major population centers in the country, to see this.

unless of course you live in Nakom Nowhere per the second demographic and you would be forgiven for not seeing this

BOY????????? You call me BOY????????

Are you suggesting that I am from Africa?

Or is that just the way a Master Baiter talks?

I have lived in BKK, Bangsaen and Chanthaburi, but obviously never frequented the places where you hang around.

oh dear, "dear boy" is a term of endearment, so get the stick out your bottom

and what is wrong with coming from Africa anyway...what have you got against Africans' ?....you one of those racists ?

which places would I be frequenting chief ? pray tell ?

Edited February 27, 2015 by Soutpeel

[Jip99]

what has surprised me over the years is the number of completely dysfunctional foreigners who are living in the country,

yeah everywhere I have worked in "foreign" countries, you get the odd 1 or 2 nut jobs who have arrived on a banana boat, but Thailand must the be the regional hub for "broken"/disturbed/dysfunctional foreigners. there many who should be in padded cells for their own protection.

and then we have the another demographic of those who have have never traveled outside their own country until the prospect of a cheap available women grew too strong for them and they up root themselves and transplant themselves to Nakon Nowhere shacked up with some bint,with splayed toes and a trick pelvis who gave them the goo goo eyes and promised to love them long time and they are absolutely clueless

I actually left more dysfunctional people behind in the UK than I have discovered here.

They are here, that is for sure, but I have met a much higher percentage of charming, mostly genuine, helpful, mainly contented people who doing their best to adapt to a comfortable life in Thailand.

[mrtoad]

I got my popcorn

[nidieunimaitre]

Meanwhile, back to topic.

What has surprised me in Thailand is the bitterness of expats on this forum.

[Soutpeel]

Meanwhile, back to topic.

What has surprised me in Thailand is the bitterness of expats on this forum.

quite, I am surprised at the open and balatant racism displayed on this forum by some members

[marko kok prong]

I got my popcorn

Me too,waiting for the usual suspects to arrive.

[Aussieroaming]

No real surprises..after working throughout Asia and Africa Thailand is just another shade of grey. Something's are the same as other places and some different.

One thing that stands out though is the initial police statements that usually come out in regards to dodgy sounding deaths.

[berybert]

I have been here for 18 months not that long compare to many. But unlike many that have been here far longer than me, I have my eyes open.

LOS land of smiles ..... what a joke that is. I don't like Thai people. Used to think they were wonderful, but the rose tinted glasses fell off.

Show the dollar bill and you are special. Keep it in your pocket, you are scum.

[Soutpeel]

I have been here for 18 months not that long compare to many. But unlike many that have been here far longer than me, I have my eyes open.

LOS land of smiles ..... what a joke that is. I don't like Thai people. Used to think they were wonderful, but the rose tinted glasses fell off.

Show the dollar bill and you are special. Keep it in your pocket, you are scum.

at least your honest bert, but it begs the question what ya still doing here if you don't like Thai people and this is a serious question

[berybert]

I have been here for 18 months not that long compare to many. But unlike many that have been here far longer than me, I have my eyes open.

LOS land of smiles ..... what a joke that is. I don't like Thai people. Used to think they were wonderful, but the rose tinted glasses fell off.

Show the dollar bill and you are special. Keep it in your pocket, you are scum.

at least your honest bert, but it begs the question what ya still doing here if you don't like Thai people and this is a serious question

I'm on my way back to England in May. The 2 or 3 week holiday experience didn't translate into a life style.

[ScarpoFongness4U]

First of all,

You will be back so, don't try to convince long time posters you won't be.

I said that too, initially

But then,

The Thai soapy I lived with, never asked me for money, not while I was there, or after I left her. We had a contract, and I fulfilled my part, and then some

The guys I played music with became my friends on Facebook, and as a result, I made more musician friends, so wanted to return to play more music, which I did over the holidays

I saw my soapy girl, only because I had left a new Fender amplifier that cost me $21,000 baht, and I asked if she would bring it to my friends house, which she did. It had been there since I left in March last year, and this was Jan. This year.

She wouldn't go out with me though, not even a dinner as/ she was still upset that I left her and wouldn't agree to a come and go relationship. It was clear she still had feelings, but wasn't falling for anything short of what she wanted. She apparently stalked my Facebook and LINE and saw new, younger girls replying to me, and told my friends wife who interprets for us, that she wouldn't be second place. considering she's a soapy I find that pretty remarkable but anyone who says these girls do not have feelings are just not nice, and think they can trample on these girls because they deserve it, when they don't.

I have made many friends in Thailand and anyone who says the Thai people are not nice people do not know a lot of Thai people.

what disappointed me the most was I could not find any Thai sticks

[marko kok prong]

Berybert,good for you mate,at least you have realised it is not for you and done the right thing,i would go back to Australia,but for varied reasons which i have posted before and do not want to bore every one again with i feel i cannot,most people here i feel are okay,but not really interested in us unless we are paying,i agree,the exception is my father in law,who refuses to even speak to me ,yet my money keeps him fed ,clothed and a roof over his head,still one day an errant cane truck may make mince meat of him,i pray daily for this.

[nidieunimaitre]

Meanwhile, back to topic.

What has surprised me in Thailand is the bitterness of expats on this forum.

quite, I am surprised at the open and balatant racism displayed on this forum by some members

As I said, you are a true Master.

[jdinasia]

Nothing in your post I disagree with other than driving in BKK, but it wasn't too bad at first, I didn't think driving in Songkhla was too bad. Perhaps familiarity breeds contempt?

I don't know. Bangkok looks fast but organised. In Hatyai is like a disturbed ant-hill. Left, right, slow, fast, run red lights, double and triple parking, no lights at night etc. I enjoyed driving in Bangkok. I know many people who bought their licences instead of taking a test.

I think once you get used to driving in Thailand, nowhere is really that bad, when I first started driving myself in Thailand 14 years ago, the prospect of driving in BKK used to really "scare" the shit out of me, now nothing bothers me anymore as regards driving and i have driven country wide

I still hate driving in BKK. I don't mind riding a bike there.

[jdinasia]

I have been here for 18 months not that long compare to many. But unlike many that have been here far longer than me, I have my eyes open.

LOS land of smiles ..... what a joke that is. I don't like Thai people. Used to think they were wonderful, but the rose tinted glasses fell off.

Show the dollar bill and you are special. Keep it in your pocket, you are scum.

Thanks for your honesty! I understand you better now!

[berybert]

I have been here for 18 months not that long compare to many. But unlike many that have been here far longer than me, I have my eyes open.

LOS land of smiles ..... what a joke that is. I don't like Thai people. Used to think they were wonderful, but the rose tinted glasses fell off.

Show the dollar bill and you are special. Keep it in your pocket, you are scum.

Thanks for your honesty! I understand you better now!

Seriously. Wanting people jailed for life or hung so others can carry on doing what they do!

That has nothing to do with being Thai, that is just pure evil.

If you cant trust the police who can you trust ?

[NeverSure]

Meanwhile, back to topic.

What has surprised me in Thailand is the bitterness of expats on this forum.

quite, I am surprised at the open and balatant racism displayed on this forum by some members

Not just racism, but bashing of any people of any country which is not their own home country. That's right before they start bashing their home country. Bitter.

[nidieunimaitre]

Meanwhile, back to topic.

What has surprised me in Thailand is the bitterness of expats on this forum.

quite, I am surprised at the open and balatant racism displayed on this forum by some members

Not just racism, but bashing of any people of any country which is not their own home country. That's right before they start bashing their home country. Bitter.

Neversure, I think / hope that you did not understand the baiting in Soutpeel's post.