Thailand vs West - The cultural countdown

[@georgealfredcordeiro]

I lost my car in the Tsunami. We were on contract at the Sheraton laguna, now Angsana. One moment the staff were serving drinks, the next moment they were retrieving bodies. The centerfold of either Time on Newsweek was a Thai man holding on to the top of a palm tree. But the way the Thai people treated each other cemented my posture in remaining here

[@timnewtontoday]

Thanks for that. A challenging but enlightening situation

[@pawineepusri9111]

Dear Tim, you are showing your Anglo Australian background. In many or perhaps most western cultures people take off their shoes before walking in the house. It’s considered very dirty to wear your shoes inside. Cheers, Lars

[@timnewtontoday]

Many or most? I don’t think so. I’ve been to many western countries and NEVER been asked about taking my shoes off, or noticed people doing so

[@WahPreua]

Always do in most UK homes in my experience, that’s why we wear slippers.

[@einargun]

we also do it in all the Nordic countries. regards from Iceland.

[@dreammix9430]

We really SHOULD take our shoes off in the house here in the west

[@mickwhewell]

Nonsense, 99% of UK people do not take off their shoes to enter a home and 100% never to enter a shop

[@thesteveman]

Coffee or tea, rice or potatoes aside, I was beyond fortunate to be in Thailand, not the west, during the COVID pandemic. With 494 deaths per one million population, Thailand ranks 139th of around 200 countries for fatalities, according to Worldometer. Compare that with two western nations, the US, 14th highest with 3,642 deaths per one million population, and the UK, 18th highest with 3,389 deaths per one million population, Thailand did an amazing job keeping its people safe under very tough conditions. Numbers don’t lie; people with agendas do. Farangs in this comment section, and in others, unfairly chastise and excoriate Thailand for not being like the west, but it was precisely this “un-western” approach that saved many of its elderly citizens. An army of volunteers spread out across the Thai countryside to assist the elderly during those trying times while those in western nations embarrassed themselves by flexing their individualistic muscles and demanding their ‘right’ to party while the elderly died in hospitals and nursing homes. A distinction that needs to be emphasized. So thank you again, Thailand, for showing the world how caring for your own should be done.

[@Androgen321]

Because of the weather Thailand is an outdoor culture which was much healthier during covid.

[@thesteveman]

@@Androgen321 Good point. That is one of the reasons for a lower fatality rate.

[@terrycolvin775]

Yes, sunshine and open windows helped to have a lower death count here in Thailand. The GoT did a poor job of acquiring vaccines. Pfizer donated by the U.S. and other countries helped to vaccinate again Thailand's medical staffs. Also, I think deaths were under reported here. My wife got AstraZeneca, Moderna, and then Pfizer. I got three Pfizer shots and had odd viral reactions with the last two shots. Our close friend here is a retired pharmacist and pharmaceutical industry executive. He is Thai. He said that the Thai use of antibiotics for even bacterial infections helped with a lower fatality rate; however, when the Delta strain hit Thailand in mid-2021 his theory was partly if not fully invalidated.

[@Heathrow75]

Probably obesity plays a big part in the deaths.

[@thesteveman]

@@Heathrow75 Yes. A serious comorbidity that contributed to the death toll.

[@davidpattison5860]

Hi Tim Phad Thai , shoes off , bum gun , drive myself , Thai food ( 99.5% of the time , had 60 years of western food don’t want it now ) , and I’d rather spend a month in Guantanamo than go to Pattaya or Phuket ever again , spent 10 days in naiharn/ Phuket and 4 hours in Pattaya , never again , and $1500 in Thailand 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@timnewtontoday]

Fair enough. Thanks for all the answers.

[@terrycolvin775]

Sleeping: air con or fan? Fan always. Bum gun or toilet paper? Bum gun, recent convert, wipe with TP. Phuket or Pattaya? Neither. Shoes off or shoes on in your house? Yes and no. Sandals placed inside near entrance door. We wear rubber soled slippers. Neuropathy makes feet painful on hard surfaces. Live on $1500 PM in Thailand or $5,000 PM in the west? No answer. Western food vs Thai food? My wife cooks. Mix of Chinese, Thai, and Western. Getting around: Public transport or DIY? My ISUZU MU-7, 2007 model. I do not ride a motorcycle. Marry a wife or ‘rent a wife’? Married 51 years.

[@benhill8384]

Need to do a cost of living in Phuket. Probably out of my budget but would be interested.

[@timnewtontoday]

There are so many areas - cheap and expensive. I lived on the cheap in Phuket for a decade.

[@OmAn-oy5vm]

I set my air cond at around 26/7 C, so it cycles on and off, drying the air enough to help me sleep without sweating much. Bum gun, or ass spray as I call it., you can’t beat it.

[@gordongorman2867]

Hi Tim, when growing up in the 60s in Scotland we had no carpets in our house, only linolium which was mopped daily. Thats the main reason shoes were allowed to remain on....and then there was the bad odour from stinky socks and feet if shoes were removed. 😅

[@lillianrosbottom7366]

Tim why you stopped going to coffee house Saturday morning enjoyed them occasionally

[@timnewtontoday]

I do occasionally. Just have to lug all the gear there. I’m lazy.

[@lovelady1116]

Short time or Longtime.😮

[@jamesb.492]

With decades of wisdom, having the choice today I would - rent not buy a property in Thailand - rent not marry any woman in any country - not bother getting a visa for any country, just travel / move on - dca into ETFs from age 20, stop working 9 to 5 at 40 yrs - not spend endless money on useless stuff like cars, bikes, furniture, household

[@timnewtontoday]

Interesting perspective

[@gryffin2748]

My wife is Thai. We live in Florida and like it warmth, temperature set in our house, on air-con 80 Deg. F (about 27 C). Like the fan on when we sleep. Geting cooler here 50 at night, need the heat set at 74 deg. F.

[@alansmith4387]

Let Daisy have a go in the new swimming pool Tim ???

[@timnewtontoday]

Hell no. There’s no way she can get out without assistance.

[@orlandomptres]

ORLY FROM VENEZUELA, WE USE BOTH PAPER AN WE CALL IT MICROPHONE SHOWER IT HELPS SAVE TREES.

[@rodcolvin6341]

Difference between driving in Canada vs . Thailand. Rules of the road in Canada strictly enforced. In Thailand 🇹🇭 they are merely suggestions. Moving to Bang Surai in the very near future

[@Sikofu]

Good morning Tim. Coffee cold or hot? definitely hot in a non cardboard plastic cup unless you are on the go. $5000 in Thailand? you will live like a millionaire if you don’t have vices. Definitely AC in Thailand during the hot and polluted days.

[@Traveling_Ted]

It’s $1500 in Thailand or $5000 in United States. I have often thought about this myself

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

@@Traveling_Ted ... yes, the big luck loves little things

[@GASSIMPAYMAN]

HI we're In Bahrain do takes off the shoes 👞

[@TRIPONTHIS]

My ex girl friend did not want to chance taking the dog on the plane in cargo. Told her I wanted to go to Thailand for winters during retirement. She quickly dumped me in a nice way....lol. Then again she holds season tickets to NHL hockey, that did not help.

[@thanaang1455]

No earth quake in southern Thailand, it happened in Indonesia, the wave took considerable of time to travel from that distance but no one had ever experienced Tsunami in Thailand in the Thai history that is why so many people died. Now alarm system is quite efficient and everyone is well understood, personally I am not worried about Tsunami at all.

[@Androgen321]

A Japanese wc is great. I have one in my apartment in Chiang Mai.

[@baconoverflow4384]

I have A/C running all the time whenever I'm home, (which most of the time on weekdays, since I work remote), sometimes in 3 rooms at the same time 😅 It's a fraction of the rent I pay (and income) so I don't think about it much. Transport - I live in Ekkamai, so if I'm going local I stick to the BTS, otherwise I drive. I kind of enjoy driving in Bangkok. I don't take taxis much anymore (unless I can't drive 🍷). But in general I usually just choose whatever Google Maps says is faster. E.g. outside of rush hour driving from Ekkamai to Silom is faster than taking the BTS. Parking is easy, especially once you learn a few tricks (e.g. if you go to Central World at a busy time and don't want to spend an hour stuck looking for a parking space, just park across the road in Gaysorn Village... same thing for MBK - park in Siamscape instead, etc)

[@timnewtontoday]

Thanks for all that

[@lovelady1116]

Lady or Lady boy,

[@GASSIMPAYMAN]

I,like Pattaya

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

Morning church bells or the Thai National Anthem ?

[@Jefe_Perro]

Thrustmaster flight stick? Do you use MS Flight sim? I love flying aircraft like DA42, DA62 or King Air. It's like meditation for me.

[@timnewtontoday]

Yes. Same for me. Very relaxing flyiNg around the world. It’s SO real these days.

[@Jefe_Perro]

@timnewtontoday There is another flight sim so realistic in some countries you can log some of your learner hours in it and some companies test designs of prototypes of new aircraft in it.

[@TonyFossey889]

Interesting Show today.... My Answers are 1) Fan 2) Bum Gun (Always) 3) Pattaya (I Hate Phuket) 4) I have to wear something on my feet , But No shoes. 5) $1500.00 6) Thai Food but i like Western food 7) Baht Bus and Bolt 8) My Thai Man

[@timnewtontoday]

Thanks for the responses.

[@philcahill2382]

33:47 daisy is like many farang then

[@ThiswaywithGerryG]

Neither , just burgers and fries…..just kidding.

[@TeddyBear-zj4qg]

✌Chalk and cheese.

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

Merci tres beaucoup for your great efforts. Courious about your new car ! Nice weekend everybody

[@lovelady1116]

Grabbag, good thinking Tim.

[@timnewtontoday]

At the end of the day…. You just don’t know

[@Outback61]

Shoes off .

[@kwokweng76]

I simply love this channel tim

[@timnewtontoday]

Thanks heaps

[@hjqbcb11]

Love your shirt Tim ( and the show of course) Lazada? Would love one for the hubbie

[@timnewtontoday]

That’s a Temu purchase. Mine is XL size on that platform. I’m usually L. Asian clothes sizes!!!?!??!

[@mickwhewell]

Personally, and I live in Hua Hin, a fan on medium all night is adequate, but if very hot then A/C for 2 hours only.

[@WahPreua]

Thai FOOD In Western countries is generally below Thai standards due to rarity of ingredients and effects of thawing frozen stock. Very hard to get a good Paneng curry due to scarcity of Bai (leaf) Makrut, which I think is the main taste of a Paneng.

[@Radiancegrace]

Excellent content, loving Daisy and agree wouldn’t be able to ever separate from beloved pets🙏🏻

[@phillipbradshaw4006]

In Bangkok, a few blocks over from Therame Café, there is a place that makes an excellent brick oven fired pizza.

[@timnewtontoday]

Thanks for the recomemdation

[@rodcolvin6341]

Both regardless ,I love them both ,but Thai has become my favorite. A fan,but my Thai GF likes the AC on then bundles the covers around her. Bum gun for sure but both. Shoes anyway you want,but in Thailand always off. As a Canadian I don't go to the US EVER. Thai food 90% of the time. Public transit in Pattaya but self drive rurally and for distance. Marry my Thai Baby. Good morning from Vancouver Canada. Watch your program daily in T land and when in Canada

[@timnewtontoday]

Thank you

[@Davrosss]

Thanks Tim ❤… just eat whatever i feel like.. probably Phuket.. been engaged for 6 years lol.. wash or smear… definitely bum gun…oh and no shoes, even my boys back in aus are no shoes… definitely when renting ❤

[@JimmyJomtien]

My reason to live in Jomtien-Pattaya is kind of unique. Pattaya has an AA meeting 2-3 times a day, 7 days a week, with awesome turnout..averaging 15-20 guy (mostly) at every meeting low season twice as much during high season. I am the type of alky who needs and wants to attend a meeting daily. After meetings, a group always goes to coffee, lunch, or dinner. Average sober time 20 years with serval on upper and lower ends. 😊 phuke 0:02 tt does not have a strong enough fellowship...4 me and most.

[@giltee626]

Thailand any day and lived here for 4 years. Chose it over my home country and never want to go back. Thai food over farang but sometimes like the odd western meal.

[@Macsalleh]

Bum gun with cold water really help after spicy food

[@mangostickyrice555]

Thumbs up 👍 Tim

[@georgealfredcordeiro]

Good premise for a show Tim. The grab bag is a good idea wherever we live. You are prepared. I was A Boy Scout and an Explorer Scout. But I should prepare a grab bag here in Phuket. Do you also prepare and sleep with your clothes on like gangsters in Boston?

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

... ⚜

[@timnewtontoday]

Looks like I’ll be escaping in boxer shorts

[@Outback61]

Easy $1500/month, in Thailand.

[@warrencombes8256]

1 baht for public toilet.. good value.. some bars in Soi bangla charge 30 baht for a piss.. even though you are paying exorbitant amounts for drinking there.

[@stevemassingham2270]

My wife and I are on our way to Phang Nga and Phuket later in the month and currently we are in Nakhon Si Thammarat over on the Gulf side and the weather is atrocious. But the Khanom beach area is still beautiful. Phatthalung tomorrow.

[@timnewtontoday]

Happy travels

[@Outback61]

Fan only.

[@ednamaegrimmett-green]

Great chat Tim , Shoes off for me, and Food wise, my choice is a combination of both , I leave the B-Gun to the boys 😂 🤗💙😊

[@craigredman5787]

Good morning from Brisbane, I feel Thailand and say Darwin area, across the top area of Australia, are of similar weather. Air cond on during the day, fan at night.

[@christopherparker4001]

my Thai mrs makes a great Pad Thai,not really a Pizza man,her Massaman is stupendous,she cooks fish and chips,so versatile,cuisine wise,trained in Vienna and Armadale near Sydney,in Thai resteraunts,so im Very lucky.i get both Thai and Western at home,pork steak with boiled potatoes and veg with gravy last night,i get a good mix

[@TonyHatzi-dk4jz]

Why come alway to Thailand to eat pizzas 🍕, fish 🐟 & chips , meat pies 🥧 ha ha Thank you Tim enjoyed the program

[@Outback61]

DIY motorcycle here in Pong. Bus everywhere

[@warrencombes8256]

Bedroom up stairs, no sea breeze! Fan on most of of the day . But at night, because the room faces west and gets hot sun, we need ac on all night. 24 degrees.. fan on midway . Sometimes run ac downstairs.. 1500.00 baht a month. My thai neighbours run acs all day and night, 5000 baht a month.

[@evechatelet9003]

Fortunatly there are « Again » some differences between the countries !

[@lovelady1116]

Short time or Longtime.😮