You experience everything in Thailand (39)
For this series of stories, we ask blog readers who have seen something special, funny, curious, touching, strange or common about Thailand several times to write to us about it via the contact form.. A self-made photo makes it complete, but is not required.
Rob from Koh Chang thinks that the holidays he spends on the island are one big event that has partly determined his life. He wrote a somewhat philosophical story about his opinion of Thailand in general and life on Koh Chang in particular.
This is his story:
The land of free people
I once got into a fight with a date in the Netherlands. After mentioning Thailand as a popular holiday destination, she said I was the kind of man who goes to Thailand to ……..
Now I understand that, I also had those prejudices, that cliché image, until friends pointed out to me the better side of Koh Chang, and yes, I have been going there for 5 years now with great pleasure.
I have come to know Thailand as the most fascinating country of the approximately 40 countries I have visited. Every time I am amazed at the way people live (together) here, a mystery that I delve into and that engrosses me. I think it can be traced back to Buddhism, as it is experienced here.
The land of smiles according to the travel guides, for me the land of free people, the literal translation. Because how can people who have so much fun be unfree. Or the other way around, if you are unfree you don't smile. But, the Westerner thinks, even friends of mine who have been coming to Thailand for years, that smile is a pose. Apparently we cannot imagine that, yes a smile can be an attitude, even false, but in this way the tourist remains in his cocoon, his group and does not observe.
I see how much fun they have with each other and see the lack of poverty and dissatisfaction, is that then hidden away? Aggression suppressed? An interesting question for an amateur anthropologist. If I were still 20 I would dedicate a study to that. Now I try to sympathize with people, to see them as they appear to me, without judgment.
I call it a feminine society, with the code word respect, something that seems to us an almost outdated concept. The traffic is even feminine, they drive here as if they intend to stop for every other road user, even if it is a dog. And they do. With us they drive like they want you dead, and sometimes they succeed. Of course accidents do happen here. Hence the alcohol restrictions, I think that is a sign of care, even though such an old-fashioned concept with us. After all, we have insurance and benefits.
So many times that I was surprised, because then I was at the end of my search. Lost my way for a moment and suddenly a Thai is there to help me, as if he was always there. I didn't see him. He doesn't stand out, doesn't impose himself, but he does see you.
Of course you can easily think: yes a Farang, they see it, they find it important and maybe it will come in handy, money. Well, our reflexes do their job, but I believe that's how they are, also towards each other.
“I lost my way for a moment and suddenly a Thai is there to help me, as if he was always there. I didn't see him. He doesn't stand out, doesn't impose himself, but he does see you.”
Beautifully described Rob.
Very recognizable attitude, experienced so often myself or heard from friends and acquaintances.
Car breakdown on a busy U-turn. Couldn't go any further. Suddenly 4 or 5 Thai men to push me to the other side. They were gone before I could say thank you.
A wonderfully positive story, which I completely agree with. Longing to go again.
very recognizable Rob, Thais help each other and others, that's in the genes.
Now with the corona crisis, there is no one in our village who has nothing to eat.
If they lose their job on Monday they will do something else on Tuesday, of course that is partly due to the fact that there is no government safety net, but Thais are not giving up.
Yes, that's right, but with us many people would also like to do that, but unlike Thailand you are sentenced to an unprecedented administrative hassle here. In Thailand you can walk from one job to another. That is unthinkable for us.
On the other hand, you are insured and protected here when you start working and you build up rights. In many cases this is not the case in Thailand. Whoever has an accident at work can shake it.
It is very nice to read something different than always that negative about the Thai population and or Government.
Fortunately, this article contains no childish whining that beer cannot be bought when there is a Lockdown, no whining about the Farangs being seen as a money machine, no whining about anything and everything in Thailand.
Thailand is a great Country populated with people who are highly respected. I have been living in Thailand for 4 years now. First 3 years in The Country side between the Farmers and now in Bangkok, in both areas the population is very social, friendly, respectful and conservative.
Thank you for your wonderful story.
it's completely right I live in Thailand myself and I enjoy all the love and kindness to the fullest.
Everyone is always there for you day and night.
And we also have the greatest fun together.
I only read very positive comments here, more in the context of the rose-colored glasses that just don't want to fall off.
But I experience it differently, because Thais are just like other people on earth, there are good and bad, friendly and gruff, helpful ones that make you suffocate.
I too enjoy living here for many years, but experience it differently than described above.
More human that is.
Jan Beute.
Dear readers, I have often been amazed at the grumbling and complaining on this blog. also about the need of apparently many people to put something nicely into perspective. It is natural human behavior, but where I have traveled a lot, I certainly experience it as an almost typical Dutch characteristic.
I think that's the way life is, everyone goes through things, inevitably, but you can choose how you look at it, how you talk about it. let me put it simply. It can be very hot in Thailand and if we are unlucky it is also humid. Will that change in practice now by complaining a lot about it? No, I think, or you're a wizard. However, the complainant may experience it as more difficult, because he or she is grumpy. Now suppose someone chooses not to complain about it and not to burden others with it. Will the weather be different in practice? Of course not. but with that different attitude you will have a better life. And others will find you more pleasant company.
It has been scientifically proven that people are (can be) addicted to negativity. because with negative thoughts and complaining conversations, you create a substance in your head and that substance is addictive. with positive thoughts or positive conversations, another substance is also produced. but that substance is not addictive. That addiction to that negative thinking has been called Negaholism. It originated from an insight of an American Lady Cherié Carter-Scott. entire negaholistic societies have sprung up around us. Compare it with the concept that good news doesn't sell. People want bad news, they want to be angry, disappointed, dissatisfied, shortchanged. Good news is soggy, uninteresting and, according to many, not real life.
But life is what it is, a truly mature person (where do we find it?) decides for himself how to look at it.
I have also been disappointed in Thailand, sometimes cheated, abused, etc., but despite that I still enjoy the experiences of friendship, help, comfort, love, humor and acceptance. And I find it much easier to choose that positive attitude in Thailand versus the Netherlands. Just because I don't hear many people complaining to me in Thailand. the people are resigned. And of course, whoever does good meets good. I always find it striking to observe the people in Thailand who apparently have a lot of bad luck.
I'm sorry for the negaholics among you.
Delicious,
to read this “old” opinion.
I feel it as a confirmation of my experiences.
The longer I interact with Thai, the more valuable this belief becomes to me.
“The traffic is even feminine, they drive here as if they intend to stop for every other road user, even if it is a dog. And they do. With us they drive as if they want you dead, and sometimes they succeed.”
I never experience this in Thailand. Exactly the other way around.
A good example was that my Thai girlfriend was surprised when crossing the road in NL that traffic stopped for her.
Hi Rob from Kkoh Chang.
I understand you come to this island more often? Few roads of course, but that one ring road, which encloses almost the entire island, does have a spectacularly dangerous part there in the south, with those 3 consecutive extremely sharp bends. I was on the island three times a day out of 10 and every time I passed there were fresh police markings, after accidents. No place to show 'sporty' that you can fly through it just as quickly. That flying is possible, but the landings are rather painful.
The island is quite popular among bird watchers because it is home to a number of spectacularly beautiful and relatively rare birds. I grew up at home between special birds, so I have an eye for it. but I never saw them. The most beloved species that should live on, remotely resembles the rare Dutch Hoopoe, if I ever saw it on my last day there. My last ride. Just past that dangerous point. Firmly downhill. In a flash I saw one flying straight across the road in my direction and at that very moment, no joke, FLATS!!!, the animal flew itself to death against an equally fast descending truck windshield. A sound by the way.
Back to you Rob. Have you ever driven all the way down that eastern road?
I was last there 7 years ago so everything may have changed.
At some point you can choose, already quite far South. turn left and head \north to a village of sea nomads. Many stilt houses on the water.nice.
or you chose to go straight and south at the time. Still a long way.
At the last, that road was now a dirt road and with huge holes knocked out by rainfall.
was an adventure. to arrive at not yet the end, but at the time the only inhabited part.
I think it was called Hat Sai Yao, on Long Beach.
It's like stepping back into the 60's and 70's. Flower power. Messy bars and eateries made of bamboo and reeds. Cushions everywhere, no chairs or stools. girls in sarong. I spoke (or greeted) a few men, often Rastafari, who led a slow life there in a stench of spicy smoke, extremely friendly and cheerful. Consciously far from everything. A mix of Farang girls with Asian girls who are clearly sung from home and hearth. Really nice there and special. Apart from some sand flies, and those last 5 kilometers of impassable road, I could have stayed there for several weeks. I still remember there was no ATM in fields or roads. A nice lady told me that sometimes one of them, with the motorcycle and various bank cards and pin codes, would drive all the way to a distant ATM to withdraw money for many people. I thought I was in the Caribbean rather than in Thailand. It will undoubtedly have already changed, more business in that area. Because Koh Chang developed so quickly then and that West side is quite full.
And if you like peace and quiet? take a ferry to Koh Mak and book a cabin in one of the small resorts on the far east side. Where the piece of black beach is located. Rent a moped. Koh Mak is deliberately left as it was 20 years ago. Little nightlife. There is now an ATM. Beautiful little quiet island. Fantastic beaches. They do suffer from sand flies and sand fleas, but of course no brochure mentions this. But on black sand you don't have that problem. Plus, you can have a great swim at the sunrise on that side.
Deep sigh, I would like to go back to Koh Chang and Koh Mak
Nicely worded Rob, I completely agree with you except for your quote about traffic!
The traffic is feminine and they even stop for a dog!?
I've seen them do a lot of kicking a dog, but stop???? They don't even stop for once human! Zebra crossings are just a kind of artwork on the road and completely useless for the rest.
I think the Thai are beautiful and helpful people except in traffic. Half drive without lights, without a helmet, do ghost driving and blinkers are an option for most cars here, I think
Have fun in Koh Chang
I was robbed in Pattaya. The other day I get a call in my room that there is someone at the reception who WANT to speak to ME. He found my bag with everything in it. OKAY the wallet was empty. I had no longer expected this and had already made an appointment with the Embassy in Bangkok. (Our passports, among other things, were also in that bag.) When I wanted to thank the lady with a HUGE tip, she had already disappeared. Also her name was not known. Shame. But, so, also Thailand.