Compliments
Sometimes it seems as if we on this blog only care about Thailand or our own motherland. We can be critical, but let's also highlight the good sides and pleasant experiences.
Taxi
Just start to express my compliments to taxi transportation from both airports in Bangkok. Perfectly organized! We were already used to it at the main airport Suvarnabhumi. Until recently, the second airport, Don Mueang Airport, was still a mess, but that has now also changed. You simply pull a serial number and if it is busy and you have to wait a while, a neat waiting area has been set aside. When your number appears on a screen, go to one of the 8 counters where the taxi driver is already waiting. You will also receive a ticket on which you can indicate any complaints such as incorrect price, switching off the taximeter or other incorrect actions. Can be sent by post for 3 baht.
When I read the bickering about Schiphol taxi transport, I give them good advice: take a look at the colleagues in Bangkok and solve it simply that way.
Underground (MRT)
Want to buy a ticket at the counter of the underground in Bangkok. The lady in question at the counter looks at me with a lovely look and asks my age. Of course I look much younger than I actually am -I tell myself- but as a 'senior' I now travel with the underground for half the price. If it turns out afterwards that you are already a senior at 60 years old, my day can't go wrong. The lady in question obviously doubted whether I had already reached the age of senior. Pull in my stomach, show my best smile and thank the lady. Nice of that young thing in my experience to draw my attention to that possibility. Whether that senior discount also applies to the skytrain, the real Bangkok connoisseurs should tell you.
Bangkok Soi 8
This evening eat at the Det-5 restaurant in Soi 8 on Sukhumvit Road and beat the bustle of the waitresses. My eye falls on two very young girls who serve the customers with a lot of bravura and in a hurry. Have the impression that - given their young age - they are children of the owner. Great school and well managed by mom and dad. Beckon the youngest and ask for her name and age. An is twelve I get the answer after which I compliment her and tell her that she is an excellent waitress. Get a neat thank you in the form of a wai. Compliments to those two girls.
Service with a capital letter
Sitting behind a glass of wine behind my computer. But then; with a stupid movement I knock over my glass after which the grape juice flows abundantly over my Apple laptop. Result: you can guess it, apple gives up the ghost. On to Pantip Plaza, the largest and most famous computer department store in Bangkok. Know your way around a bit and go to the Apple specialist Houk & Bank who neatly solves the problem caused by my clumsiness. In my hotel, however, I come to the conclusion that the connection to the Internet is not working. So back to Pantip Plaza. The owner does not understand anything because when logged in with them everything works perfectly. Houk asks where I am staying and says to go with me to the hotel to take a look at the matter. He himself goes by motorbike and I take a taxi. When I get out of the taxi at my hotel, Houk is already driving by. Take me to my room and he solves the problem in no time.
So for a computer problem: go to Houk & Bank on the ground floor almost next to the Bangkok Bank in Pantip Plaza. Excellent service!
I also have a 60+ card for the MRT, but for the discount card 60+ from the BTS you have to be Thai.
I have to agree with you about that pointing at Thailand or the motherland. I have lived in Thailand for 9 years and when I meet Dutch people who also live here (not on vacation) there is always something to complain about. They should think more of Khun Peter's statement, if you get annoyed easily, you shouldn't live in Thailand.
In Bangkok you only get a discount at MRT if you are 60 years old.
BTS does not give a discount.
I also have a very good experience there. I once bought the wrong ticket and so I had to
pay extra. Then I was asked how old I actually was. I was 62 at the time and instead of gaining weight
I got a refund in good order.
When I first went with MRT I was actually bumbling.
A Thai lady noticed that and immediately asked me if she could help me.
That is also Thailand.
“Sometimes it seems like…”
Beats. Sometimes, very sometimes. I think the growling here is better than expected, I see it differently in other places in the media.
I don't want to be difficult, but a 12-year-old child should not be working as a waitress in a restaurant, not even for mom and dad. This is called child labor and is prohibited by law, including in Thailand.
I know it happens (a lot?) but I certainly wouldn't compliment a girl like that.
Chris, you are allowed to have a different opinion, but I applaud it when a child rolls up its sleeves on a Saturday when she doesn't have to go to school and does so with great verve and enthusiasm. My two sons also did holiday work and the men have not gotten any worse. Really don't want to label this as child labor, which I also detest. During the week they are well behaved at school, do their homework and are not to be seen in the restaurant.
Children are allowed to help their parents, for example in a “family restaurant” or shop, where the family usually lives.
Children often have to help, due to the long working hours of the parents.
Such a store, for example, is often open 12 to 14 hours a day, 7 days a week.
They also have to help in the rice fields and often earn their own school fees when they get older. Sometimes from about 14 or 15 years old for boys. (Girls stay close to parents.)
For restaurants in entertainment areas it is not allowed for children to help.
Incidentally, there is nothing wrong with complimenting a child if it does its best, even if you disagree with the fact that it works.
In principle, I agree with you wholeheartedly. However, this business belongs to a Belgian owner with a Thai wife. They have 4 children. That's why I'm almost certain that this is one of the owners' children. Many expats come. Almost certain that the owners are not involved in child labor…
I don't want to bother with taxis anymore and always use public transport from both Donmuang and Suvannabumi. From Donmuang departs every 5 minutes on the A1 or A2 to the BTS of Moochiit and then take the skytrain. Regular buses also depart from Moochit to Khaosan road, which is interesting for backpackers to know.
It is much cheaper, but it only costs half the travel time and you are not dependent on the whims of a taxi driver.