Flashcards for Life in Thailand

There's a website called ThaiPulse that provides much more insight into Thai life than my petty blog. Although ThaiPulse has hundreds of informative articles on every aspect of Thai society and culture, the creator of the website best captures the reality of living in Thailand with a series of flashcards. There are a total of 51. I've picked out a few here that best conceptualize life in Thailand through the eyes of a foreigner.

Ageing

First, 'farang' in Thai means foreigner - more specifically a Westerner. After 10 years in Thailand it's still difficult for me to judge the age of Thai women - especially, in rural Thailand where life is much harsher than the pampered lifestyles of Metropolitan Bangkok.

Biodiversity

Don't be deceived by the Wonder Bra, locally known as Bangkok Foam.

Privacy

There are no secrets. In fact, the things that you least want other people to know are probably the things that most people know about.

Invitations

May be exaggerating a little bit, but the underlying truth is definitely there. That being said, somehow Thais always seem to make it work out and there's always enough tables, food, and booze.

Customer Service

You can insert - cable gets installed, dry cleaning gets delivered, car gets fixed, or just about anything else into this index card. I think the point is your urgency is not part of the equation when local service providers (I'm not talking about Multinational Businesses and 5 star hotels) set their priorities. It's safe to assume that everyone of his customers is complaining just like you - what makes you so special?

Same Same, but Different

In fact, I don't think Thailand is any stranger than any other place in the world. But when you come here as an outsider (or any new country, for that matter), a fresh look on the world usually provides some strange insights. What I mean is the world is the same everywhere, it's your perspective that changes.

Lots of Trucks

In a previous blog, I wrote about stuff in trucks. Once again, tough to stick that water buffalo, your 12 nieces and nephews, or your living room furniture in the back of a Toyota Camry.

Menu: Everything

Just because you can eat something doesnt necessarily mean you should - unless you're in Isaan. I was told that people in Isaan (Northeast Thailand - rural, farming area) will eat anything with wings - except an airplane. But that's only because they are too expensive.

One Man's Pest is Another Man's Lunch

The farther away you get from Bangkok the more bizarre the eating habits become.

Corruption

Thaksin is the ex-Prime Minister who was ousted in the 2006 coup. My new favorite soap opera.