Thailand Myths Vs Reality (Q&As)

[@patnewman1]

Great subject matter today. When I came to live in Chiang Mai two years ago I brought my Western attitude along with me and got pissed off at the drop of the hat. Eighteen months ago I started to study Buddhism and as I learned the ways of Buddhism, my Western attitude has faded into the distance. I appreciate the Thai people very much and like the “Zen” life that comes with living here.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Cheers mate, just something a little different today. I chat about exactly that in another vlog coming very soon, how we bring our hot headed culture with us to Thailand and after time we chill more. Spot on what you said mate. Cheers.

[@chazzzztastic]

Best KZbin channel about Thailand in my opinion, nice guy and always happy and positive living his life while sharing it with us ❤

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Nice one Chaz! I appreciate that. 👍👍

[@stevens8785]

Definitely some useful information there Wayne which would help, in particular, prospective new tourists to the Land of Smiles. Cheers buddy 🤩

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thanks buddy!

[@WilliamFluery]

I’ve been traveling to Chiang Mai since 2005. Mid-October tends to be the transition date from rainy season to the best climate of the year; November, December & January are amazing months in Chiang Mai and the northern mountain regions.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yep, they are the best months weather wise but also the most people. November and December are the best for road trips. I would say a few months before or even now is my favourite 👍

[@rungdaohinsaeng6505]

From the end of Jan till March, Chiang Mai and all of the north of Thailand had many haze, it is better to avoid going to North of Thailand on those months. It’s the worst weather for those months.

[@richardlewis3419]

Love your videos mate they make me day keep them coming 👏👍

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thank you mate! That’s very nice to hear 🙏

[@johngagne986]

I agree with Patnewman's comment below. I have not been in Thailand for the length of time neither you nor Pat have been, but my exposure to the people and the culture has definitely mellowed me out a bit from the hard charging mr executive to slow down and appreciate the kindness and genuine ease of the Thai people. My experience is that I have always felt very safe no matter which part of Thailand I have been in. I do always check on transport prices before I agree to climb aboard whether a tuk tuk, a grab bike (that's always a trip!) or a long tail. But it is a tipping culture and the workers live on those tips so I tend to be very generous in that way knowing they are usually raising families or supporting a family some place out in rural Isaan. The air travel in Thailand has always proven to be excellent and very reasonable in my experience Thai Smile, Viet Air, Royal Thai, etc. I use them without question or hesitation. I tend to compare how safe I feel to being back in the US Boston, West Coast, New York, down south in Florida or mid west in Chicago, etc. I know that in Bangkok, Phuket or Chiang Mei I can leave my helmet on my bike and go to eat for an hour and when I come back the helmet has not been touched. There is no way I would trust that same thing in any of the cities in the US. And I agree with you Wayne, I chose Chiang Mei for the mountains and the quietness knowing the beaches are an hour by flight away if that is what I want for the week or two. My two cents mate!

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Great comment John, nicely said mate. Great to hear what other people think 👍

[@oldgitsmountainbikegroup]

Another great vlog mate, been a subscriber for a while with my other channel and find your videos very entertaining Heading up to Chiang Rai/Mai next week currently in Surin province at the in-laws, looking at doing a bit of mountain biking with Trailhead Thailand used them a couple of times over the years worth checking out if you fancy something different, keep up the good work mate and take it easy yourself 🙏🤟

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Nice one mate! Thanks for liking the channel. I'm sure you'll have a great time biking in Chiang Mai, so many great rides here. Thanks buddy!

[@GRAEMEBOWYER]

Nice vlog good content, too. I agree with your opinion on the beach or not. My wife and i visited Chiang Mai last year and found so much cultural interest compared to Phuket and Khao Lak, we had visited in the past. So much so we want to come back soon. Sharing real life is great, and we enjoy you. We find Thai people are generally peaceful kind and make our stays so enjoyable. Take it easy Wayne.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thanks Graeme! Chiang Mai is a very special place. Take it easy buddy!

[@Earl_Richter]

Nice chat, Wayne. Always like the Q&A vlogs. Funny story regarding question #2. I was at the night market by Loi Kroh, looking for a Singha shirt. I asked one vendor if he had one. He told me to hang on, he’ll check his “inventory.” He comes back moments later with a shirt and tries to charge me 350 baht. I knew all he did was run to another vendor and grabbed one of their shirts, so I just laughed it off, walked down the street and got the same shirt for about half of what he was trying to charge me. 😅

[@VinzoBooks]

Now, that's funny! Does that type of activity happen often to tourists there?

[@Earl_Richter]

@@VinzoBooks Happens in every tourist country. Just be smart and exercise common sense. Luckily in Thailand, the amounts are small. I mean the difference betweeen 350 baht and 150 baht is literally about $5.50 USD. Really not that big of a deal. Stay away from renting jet skis though. 😂

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Nice one Earl! Haha great reading this comment. That's all they do to me, run to another stall and bring me back something that is totally the opposite of what I was looking for. It's crazy how some of them still think we fall for it, but I guess a lot of tourists still do.

[@antruok4950]

Good topic mate 👍 - Certainly some funny ones , but yes , back in the day , they are often thought of , especially for first timers - there’s probably loads more - enjoyed my friend - Thanks WW ✔️✌️👋🙏

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Cheers Ant! Yes, so many more mate, the list would be endless. Maybe I'll do some more funny ones.

[@RetiredGlobalLife]

Good questions and good answers! Thanks, Wayne.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thanks 👍👍

[@e-hoirossukon6581]

In Thailand, we have a Buddhist teaching: "โกรธคือโง่ โมโหคือบ้า" (Anger is stupid, angry is crazy) Anger is stupid, feelings of resentment and dissatisfaction are like burning fire. Angry is crazy, expression or outburst of anger causing loss. So we must have the wisdom to suppress our anger. But today many people are turning away from religion and get angry more easily.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thank you for sharing this 🙏🙏

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

Thumbs up !!! Love your channel !!!

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thank you mate. Nice one 👍

[@mangostickyrice555]

Thumbs up 👍 Wayne

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Nice one Mango 👍

[@colinjackson320]

That's such a lovely tranquil place. I've not been there for a while, it was good to see it again. Good subject today, your so right about Thai's having a much longer fuse than westerners. I think when Thai's have a disagreement if one shows anger then they have immediately lost the argument.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

The Wing Kim Kam area is a Great place to come and get away from it all. Yes, totally different culture with the anger. Thanks Colin.

[@Jack-2day]

@3:11 …speaking of beaches Wayne, how did I miss this one? lol (I’m guessing somewhere in Krabi area?) Anyone recognize this drone location shot? Cheers

[@WalkAboutWayne]

??? Beaches all over Thailand buddy. Or do you mean which beach I went?

[@Jack-2day]

@@WalkAboutWayne I clarified the above now, Cheers

[@brianpoffley1771]

Yes there are poor people but noone goes hungry always food at the temple, never been scammed , been chased because I left 3 baht change, ask Paddy Doyle left his bike at the train station came back and found the key left in the bike while away. Burmese temples are always worth a look love the big timber. Try bargining the price up for harder haggle and the wonderful smile. Get lost and rescued by a Thai for wonderful adventure.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

🤣 Nice one Brian.

[@sandro63]

Great vlog as always Wayne. I agree on all the points you raised. Where is that place you've been? At first I thought you were in Ayutthaya 😀 never been anywhere near that place.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thanks Sandro. This is the old ruins of the original city before Chiang Mai was built. Locations are in the video description.

[@seanmiller598]

That's a good summary of Thailand, Keeping a cool head is important and one of the more challenging aspects of living here. Thai's have a very different views and work at a more relaxed pace compared to the west.Like you say take easy and things go much smoother.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Very true, Sean mate 👍

[@deanbenson9322]

Nice one! What do you use for the mosquitos? Here in Los Angeles I don’t use the poison stuff. I mix vanilla extract with water in a spray bottle. My skin smells nice and it works in the mosquitoes.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thanks! I don’t use anything anymore mate. I can’t remember the last time I got bit.

[@mathewnavarro2612]

Hey Wayne, do you know the date that burning season starts in 25 please?? I was wanting to visit the last week of January, would that be safe? Thanks for any advice buddy

[@WalkAboutWayne]

No set date mate but it will start proper sometime in February. Sometimes it’s really early or sometimes a bit later. In a nutshell, February, March and sone of April is the burning season.

[@mathewnavarro2612]

@@WalkAboutWayne Thanks mate

[@lostboi3974]

Thailand middle class is growing. Western Middle class is shrinking 😮

[@WalkAboutWayne]

👍👍

[@randyirvine5858]

Nice place for a vlogg & a bit of contemplation mate. Thais are a very tolerant race, lucky for us. Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Cheers Randy

[@pensiobengt]

We rented a minivan with driver for 5 days. Very good driver and helpful. I added him to my Facebook just so I could promote him. So not all those drivers are bad 😊

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Nice one! I would keep that contact very close to hand. Most are on a tight schedule and time is money, that's the problem. Good that you was happy though.

[@deanbenson9322]

Also! Pre move visit for me in Oct. The 8th-20th. Anyway Bangkok for 5 nights and then Hua Hin for 6. If you are going to be in either of those places let me know! I’ll buy you more than a coffee. Love to treat you to a nice meal!

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Nice one Dean! I'm not sure I'll be down that way, but you never know. Cheers buddy.

[@markanderson5343]

Wayne, you appreciate the little things as i do

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes mate, I don’t need much .

[@jamieclarke6027]

I think the thing in Thailand is the rise of the middle class which includes us Westerner expats especially teachers etc have improved the education system . So many international and bilingual schools now creating some amazing talented students , ideas and opportunities . The old money has always existed and don't need a loan for a Ferrari or two . Look at the Forbes Thai rich list ! Its a rapidly developing country . Let's hope Chiang Mai always remains it's Jewel . Love the Walkabout's .

[@WalkAboutWayne]

That’s a good point mate. A lot of people living in debt though, but just the same as anywhere else. Thanks buddy 👍

[@Palm3s-to-palm3s]

spot on 👌the best weather man in town weatherman wayne

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Happy days ⛈️

[@beverlycowan6025]

Hello Wayne thank you for all the information,I was wondering if you could take a walk around soi 1 and show the hotel called Awana House in the old city,not a review just a look at what I rented if you have time thanks for all the videos

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thanks Beverly! If I’m in that area filming again soon, I will try walk down that Soi and show it along the way.

[@YY-mi9rf]

About the Thais not getting angry. From personal experience (being an asian myself) that is not the case. However, as Wayne mentioned, it may be somewhat true if you are a "farang". On the flip side, just because a Thai is not expressing anger does NOT mean he/she is not angry, which makes it worse, no? If you are a "farang" you should be extra careful NOT to insult the Thais but it's unnecessary being overly polite if they are in the wrong.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thanks for sharing, great to hear a local Asian's thoughts.

[@samsbodhitree]

Excellent - However, if you get my wife in her hometown talat/others there are no "fixed" prices.😁

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yeah maybe in some of the villages as well. I could never haggle for the food though.

[@Zerinth]

Heres a question: Did you get all your travel vaccinations before you moved to Thailand to live? I know theres a few they recommend if you are visiting se asia. And i take it you can get them from a Hospital there if you forget to get this done?

[@WalkAboutWayne]

I got the basic ones before I come. You can probably get them here but you’ll be paying through the nose for them.

[@Zerinth]

@@WalkAboutWayne ahh cheers for that 👍

[@jasonmahoney3167]

Awesome ,love your opinion ,hope to meet you for a chat one day . Headed to Kanchanaburi and Hua hin in November . From Tasmania the end of the world .😮

[@Androgen321]

Enjoy yourself. Still a swinger!!😅

[@jasonmahoney3167]

@@Androgen321 maybe

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Nice one Jason, hope to see you one day mate. Kanchanaburi and Hua Hin both great places. Have a blast buddy. Maybe I'll do a vlog in Tasmania one day, that would be cool .

[@Deadfoot-Dan]

I certainly was never worried wandering about at night in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh, looking forward to getting back there and doing it all over again. Compared to the U.S., well, there is no comparison. 🤣

[@WalkAboutWayne]

That’s true Dan, compared to the west, Thailand is very safe.

[@NuTSaX007]

Chopsticks aren't big in Thailand, yeh, maybe for noodles. When I met my missus, I was a bit panicked as I couldn't use chopsticks, still can't. But she rarely used them, it was always fork n spoon. Difficult to find a knife in Thailand, that's for sure.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

That’s true, mainly for noodle dishes. Most restaurants are full of cutlery. I remember when I first arrived, it was so hard to find a butter knife 🤣

[@robertburnett6348]

Wayne...I am always amazed when people from the U.S. and U.K. ask about safety in another country. Ee have about one mass shooting a week, here. Also the assaults and lootings, un policed. While In Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia...i have walked around securily at night. But not at 2a.m., drunk and money in my pockets. I repeated this before...While at a C.M. pool some young guys complained about being scammed, but had fun. Then a 80 year old man there said that he is paying alimony to 3 women in the U.S. Not fun. Also, I have been ripped off by trusted friends here at home. So I let the bar girls "scam" me for a few dollars. Because i am a handsome young man, have a good heart, and think the girl's Dad is still dying.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes true, when you put it like that. Thailand isn’t to bad at all 👍

[@havaianuu]

I would say this not just about Thailand but any other country with a lot of tourism and a fair amount of poor people. In the low season where there are fewer opportunities to earn income from tourism, chances are that petty theft will go up.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Very true, yes.

[@Reno-vi2tj]

Simplifying a few answers: there is more wealth in the country and the ultra rich are more well off than the UK, chopsticks are rarely used unless eating chinese style noodles or japanese food, the UK is more dangerous for a lone traveller, especially at night time

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Hmmm, I'm not sure about more rich, but that could be right. Alot of soup style noodle dishes in Thailand though, but you are correct, most would eat with hands or cutlery for anything else. I would say UK is more dangerous, yes. Cheers.

[@michaeltakayama8415]

A lot of these crazy things either happened, or were a concern, when I took my first overseas trip from the US, many (many) years ago. My destination? London. :) I actually got taxi scammed at Heathrow, right off the plane (the one where someone approaches you in the airport, asking if you need a ride into the city - I had no clue, so I said yes, and ended up overpaying). I've never been taxi scammed in Thailand, though... lol. I do remember saying: Seen one church, seen them all (for the most part - there are a couple of exceptions, as always). I also wandered into some sketchy parts of London, in the wee hours of the morning, where even the locals don't go after dark (per the hotel staff, who told me so after the fact). Stupid American, first-time traveller, on his own, that I was. So, yeah, Thailand has the same sort of concerns & issues as any other foreign country, and you just need to be a little bit more careful, when outside of your home country.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes, London is definitely somewhere where you need to be alert. I think Thailand is more scammy for naive for time tourists, but it’s the same everywhere. Thanks

[@DaisyD163]

Beaches really do not bother me.They are nice to see for a while but when going to any country i like to learn its history, see the sites not sit on a beach all day.Each to their own i suppose

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes, same for me. Like you say, everyone’s different 👍

[@adrianskipper-i8o]

In Phuket the Taxi drivers would try to scam and over charge . But using Bolt avoids that problem . Some bars and ladies can be pretty sharp as well . Finding you have pay for more than you purchased. Always found Thai people friendly except some of the visiting east European farangs spoiling those southern resorts.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

I've heard its bit more scammy in Phuket. Things do happen up here also. Wherever the tourists are, there will always be some scams.

[@markanderson5343]

Keep on waffling 😅

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Cheers mate

[@davemassingham2096]

Working in the uk for a few months then spending the rest of the time in Bangkok in my cheap room I think uk is getting more and more like a third world country every day

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Happy days Dave! You'll be living the good life in a few months.

[@malcolmcrick4071]

I love Thailand most scams are usually foreigners scamming or trying to scam you. Taxi and tuktuk are the same the world over. Never be worried about coming to Thailand it's a fantastic country and most of the people are brilliant

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes, a lot of scams are the foreigners these days.

[@Androgen321]

Street is cheap. No point in haggling over a few baht also not fair. It’s warm rain!!

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes and yes 👍

[@ubiquitousdiabolus]

The ice is absolutely clean, but all the hands touching the ice scoop might not be.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes, I would say the ice is fine in most places nowadays. Some of the plastic can be a bit grubby, I agree.

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

The Thai's use forks and spoons since the 19th century under the reign of King Rama IV. King Chulalongkorn after he returned from Europe in 1897

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thank god for google 🤣. Yes, they do use cutlery a lot. Thailand has A lot of Noodle soup dishes though and that’s what they use chopsticks for mainly 👍

[@mathewkirk1748]

True, the middle class has risen substantially in the last decade, but that has had a lot to do with the increased availability of credit. Back when the average Thai was considered “poor” by western standards, many were simply cashflow restricted but not actually indebted to maintain a content lifestyle. Once credit became readily available, people started ticking-up an iPhone and a new PCX to replace their cheap phone and their old Honda Dream to appear well-off, but they took on a debt burden that did not used to exist to the extent it does now. They are no better off financially, they just live on credit more like the rest of the western world, and arguably have a worse net wealth position now. I always respected the way Thais lived simply and contently with what they had and the way they went about never wanting to be indebted and under anybody’s control. That horse has bolted now though….

[@WalkAboutWayne]

That's right, most are living on credit, but like you mentioned, most of the western world is also. Thanks for the great comment.

[@AbuShenab]

Chopsticks- I don’t know if what I read was correct, BUT I had read that chopsticks only came into use in Thailand with Chinese traders and their noodle dishes. The Thai people had actually used utensils identical to what is used in the West. (Apparently the rise in usage of these utensils occurred at the same time as in the West). But these days - for sure - chopsticks are of course common.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Interesting, I never knew that. I’ll ask the lady in the restaurant later. They always have lots of cutlery in the restaurants here.

[@RaccoonGrrrl]

As a Thai person I would like add more detail that most (90%) Thai food use neither Chopstick nor Knife&Fork but use Spoon&Fork. Spoon to scoop rice and soup/curry, fork to help push smaller food or rice into the spoon or picking foods that come in bigger pieces. (I recommend watching Pailin's Kitchen channel for the detail) in case of Sen (noodle) we can also use fork instead of chopstick. Even Pad See Ew and Radna you will see Thai people eat with spoon and fork more than using chopstick. Only noodle soup and sometimes pad thai where thai people actually use chopstick (some thai people even use spoon and fork for Pad Thai) But Knife and Fork is out of the question for thai food even Steak-like dishes like Kor Moo Yang or Moo Nam Tok (Spicy Pork Steak Northeastern Style) they will come pre-sliced so you can just use fork or even a hand. Yes, Another thing that Thai love using for food is a bare hand mostly for Sticky rice and dishes that serve with it (Kor Moo Yang, Larb etc.). This depend on the context of place, convenience and self-image also. You might see thai people using fork for Papaya Salad in higher end restaurant (because it look prettier) but will use hand when they eat at home or some lower end restaurant (that have a washing basin) and still use fork when eating from street stall (because no convenient way to wash hands) but it's certain that Thai will NEVER use chopstick for Papaya Salad when you see people using chopstick for Papaya Salad you can certainly guess that they are other asian foreigners (mostly Chinese) and not Thai.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

@@RaccoonGrrrl That's right, it's only the Thai soup style dishes that people use chopsticks. I see a lot of the local areas eating with hands and whenever I go to rural places. In the UK I would always eat noodles with a fork. I could never go back to a fork now, Thailand has changed that for me 🤣. Great comment, I enjoyed reading it and some great info from a Thai person. Thank you.

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

Streetfood prices are FIXED prices !!!!! Never bargain here, it is so cheap anyway

[@WalkAboutWayne]

That’s right buddy 👍

[@craigdawson7632]

You don't see many people there with a full beard. Is it to hot for it or is it just uncommon there? Keeps the sun and bugs off

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Some Thais think facial hair is dirty. Don’t see too many with beards.

[@craigdawson7632]

@@WalkAboutWayne I wash it once or twice a day. Bit of oil in it and good to go. Could it partly be because it's not normalized because of heat and sweat. Also Asians aren't renowned as the hairiest of guys

[@sikhtraveller8860]

​@@WalkAboutWayneno that's not as Sikhism is the 3largest religion in Thailand

[@bradleys4783]

Regarding the ice and water. Your system will adjust to it if you are here for a long time. But if you are visiting bring some good antibiotics with you. lol Never been scammed. But I use common sense. High percentage of visitors have their heads up their asses. Love the roosters in the background. lol Beaches and bitches. lol Chiang Mai is so much better. But, Hua Hin is nice also. Nothing beats quietness. Huge debt problems here. But debt can be managed. Fcuk the sharks. Chop sticks.lol I have never been able to use them. I'm good with a fork and spoon even with noodles. F chop sticks. Never afraid here. Been coming here since '99 never had a problem, but I'm street smart. I hate barginning, won't do it. Rainy Season is o.k. Not a problem at all. Brings down the temps. Smoke season is awful though. Stay away in March and April (no go). History is vastly different in the North (Lanna) than East Central (Khemar) and South (more muslim). Food a language is different also. I prefer the attitudes up north much more so. Much more "laid back". Watch out for the dogs in the temples. They are in every one of them and they can get nasty (believe it or not). i discovered this during covid when I would explore extensively. I would often be the only one out walking around. It was great actually. There were many days when only me, a few monks and the dogs would be hanging out in the temple grounds. I would not change those times for anything in the World. They can get very nasty at times actually. You are being nice. I shouldn't say this, but.... they can be like children sometimes. I just F them off when they are being like that. I have very little tolerance for that kind of sh*t. Mate, you probably understand what I am talking about. If you are being a d*ck then you've got in coming. But sometimes they overreact, big time. They can be very loud sometimes and you can take it wrong sometimes. I can pop off too so I'm not afraid to give it back, just have to know yourself. I will go off on a Thai or a Farang , same same if they got it coming.

[@chazzzztastic]

Thanks for the novel granddad, calm down .. no one cares

[@WalkAboutWayne]

That’s some comment Bradley. 👍. Nice one buddy

[@WalkAboutWayne]

🤣🤣🤣

[@neilyounan3241]

Most of you people are totally disconnected from your average Thai citizen, The economy is bad everywhere including in Thailand people are struggling financially but it’s not easy to see because we have Western Currencies in our pockets, I talk to many Thai people the working class is struggling now with debts and they work very long hours.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

“Most of you people“. You mean Foreigners I guess. Of course, the whole world is suffering , lots of people struggling, including many Thais (as mentioned in the video). Thailand middle class is rising though. Cheers

[@malcolmcrick4071]

My favourite is watching people eatfried rice with chop sticks, Don't be crazy and walk around in places like Bangkok with gold necklaces etc crooks are all over the world, but I'd rather walk around anywhere in Thailand but not in England

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Haha, I do see some eating rice with chopsticks. It would take me forever 🤣. Nice one Malcolm, hope all is well.

[@sikhtraveller8860]

Uk is more like a Pakistan Bangladesh now😅

[@WalkAboutWayne]

😂😂