An experience which captures the essence of Thailand

[Gecko123]

Years ago I was at a consecration ceremony for a new temple.

A group of monks released a sack full of poisonous snakes where the temple was to be built.

I was in utter disbelief that anyone would do such a thing.

Anyone have anything along these lines to share?

[tonray]

I noticed a bunch of well heeled Chinese men heading into the Soapy Massage places in Huay Khwang dressed in shorts and sandals....That is the 'new' Essence of Thailand.

[JingerBen]

If it was "years ago", that means you have been withholding this vital information for a long time.

The "essence of Thailand" is now obvious.

[Toknarok]

Probably something to do with appeasing the spirits. In the West they have 'sod breaking' ceremonies with a silver spade, here in Issan they dig a hole, place a coin therein and then pour in a small measure of lao khau to placate the spirits in the ground you will be disturbing.

Don't know the significance of the snakes though, ask your wife she'll probably know.

[kannot]

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/05/13681524-car-crash-politics-laws-dont-touch-rich-in-thailand?lite

Or do you want some sugar coated stuff?

[eldragon]

Not sure how this captures the essence of Thailand. I'd say a better example is a parade of street vendors bringing Silom rush hour traffic to a halt so they can set up shop during the busiest time of the day and force all the pedestrians into the street. That's the Thailand I know and love.

[Gecko123]

Apologies.

My OP could have been better worded.

What I am after is whether you have had a singular personal experience which encapsulates how you feel about Thailand.

[fey]

I remember exploding in a short time hotel while porn was playing and the condom broke.

[Thai at Heart]

Dunno. Have to be Thai to really get Thainess apparently.

[Aussieroaming]

Sitting in immigration yet again getting my one year extension.

[JHolmesJr]

Getting your intestines kicked out your butthole by thai bouncers.

[CharlieH]

Given the tone of this thread, lets move it to the Pub.

[benalibina]

[Craig krup]

From my limited experience - girls standing on a vibrating plate in the gym, stepping off to jump on the scales to see how much they've lost, and then jumping back on the vibrating plate.

Or - same thing - landlady getting uppity because I've used 150W for 15 minutes (rice cooker) but being totally indifferent as to how much you use for everything else.

You don't realise how much basic scientific knowledge is built into the western worldview. At the most fundamental level of their being farangs really grasp the idea of the kcal, and the watt