Trying To Make Sense Of Behaviour In Thailand That May Seem Unusual

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Video Description
I fell in love with Thailand - and I still love Thailand - because it is so different to my home country. Those differences continue to make life interesting. However, you occasionally encounter behaviour that seems unusual. At times, this behaviour can make life frustrating. Also, if you have an inquisitive mind, it makes you want to find out why people don't behave as you expect. I've spent over 20 years trying to do this and I'm still only scratching the surface! This video will briefly touch on the Thai value and belief systems, and also the unique logic and thinking that Thais sometimes employ.

[@soggysocks25]

The fortune tellers sitting in walking street the night before the the big wave came ..didn't say a thing..😮😮

[@expatlivinginthailand]

That's the thing. Actual events aren't predicted and despite all the methods they use to get winning lottery ticket numbers, there are still a lot of poor Thais.

[@tomoconnell2858]

Monk once told my Thai wife that when we move, don’t go west. My question to her was west where, like western part of the US, western part of our state, or western part of city? She didn’t have an answer.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

LOL! Don't go West, young lady. West where? A long time ago, my wife was told by a monk (or a fortune teller) that she would have a foreign husband in the future. I didn't realise at the time that when I turned up to teach at the school where she was teaching, she regarded this as the fulfillment of that prophesy. My marriage is therefore a result of the Thai belief system!

[@michaeldonovan3429]

My wife is Thai. We recently moved into a large house. We now have a gold emblem on the house number outside. Based on the house number we need lots of "activity" in the house with Buddhist chanting on the speaker most of the day. Plus, there is small glasses of salt placed at the four points of the compass throughout the house. The best part about it.... when I ask her why or what does this mean, she replies as if I'm a fool, everyone knows why. 😄

[@StevenSiew2]

I am a fool too!

[@expatlivinginthailand]

That's interesting. I've not heard of pots of salt before, so that makes me a fool as well! Being on compass points sounds more like Chinese Feng Shui than typical Thai animist practices.

[@davidb2206]

These are not people who could have gone to the moon or come up with penicillin or the Salk vaccine.

[@renebanagudos5533]

Good video. One other trait they have is they usually do not confront a problem head on. They would rather beat around the bush. It's ok if it doesn't pertain to something that doesn't happen everyday at lets say the workplace. 😁

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Thanks! The other thing I've heard from foreigners living here, and also seen myself, is that Thais will opt for the path of least resistance. They will choose the easiest and quickest way to get round a problem, rather than taking the effort to fix something properly. Not everyone, of course, which would be generalising, but I've seen this quite often with tradesmen who have come to the house to fix something.

[@Bill82759]

My Thai wife of 13 years is a product of the Thai university system. Despite having a business and finance degree critical thinking is not her strength. But that said she can literally memorize and retain anything! I’ve given her strings of 10 numbers and letters to remember and she can recall them perfectly hours later. Amazing!

[@expatlivinginthailand]

I taught at a dental hospital for about four years with the aim of improving English among the counter staff so that they could deal with foreign patients. One member of staff wanted me to write a universal response that she could use for any inquiry. She would then memorise what I had written and, whenever someone showed up, she would simply regurgitate what I had written. This was a terrible idea. I have no doubt that she had the ability to remember a standard response, even a lengthy one, but how can you write a universal answer that applies to every single query? It's impossible. Unfortunately, this is the mentality with some Thais. Don't try to learn how to comprehend a question and then figure out an appropriate response. Just memorise a generic response and repeat it any time that someone asks a question. My theory is that it goes back to the original Thai education system, which took place in temples before there were Western type schools. I believe the curriculum only included the Thai language and some basic maths. Learning the Thai language requires memorising a lot of rules, and being able to do maths is very much the same. At primary school, I learnt my multiplication tables and the spelling of words by rote. For these subjects, rote learning is very effective. However, as the Thai education system expanded to cover more subjects, including subjects which didn't lend themselves well to rote learning, the Thais just kept using the old teaching techniques. Thais fully understand the shortcomings of their education system, and frequently I read that things are changing, but little seems to change. Thanks for your feedback!

[@rosskennedy]

I am civil engineer study at Curtain University Perth Aust,I find the education here in Thailand is not up world standard for engineer's,this reflects in many projects you see here which standard is very poor.I spoke to project manager Thai person once about build new road and 6 months later is up for repairs/lots failures in pavement,what learnt they not taught basic of road building,so you see why so many problems.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

@@rosskennedy There are also other reasons for poor quality construction!

[@rosskennedy]

@@expatlivinginthailand give few reason,probably the graft which deleted funds to build quality road system,sub quality materials are couple,plus the main factor poor workmanship lack of knowledge.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

@rosskennedy There’s a saying that is very well known among Thais. They say that if all the money that was allocated to building roads actually went into road building, the roads would be made of gold. You may recall that when the new Bangkok airport was opened some years ago (2006, I think), there were major construction issues despite a huge amount of money being allocated to the project.

[@Shannbkk]

The Thai Education system is by design. Educated people ask uncomfortable questions. Children are taught from babies to accept as fact things told to them by teachers or peopke senior to them. Never question, never challenge. The internet and Social Media have really become a thorn in the side of the status quo. On the spirit houses, the reason they are elaborate and people put sweets and soda on them each day is to make it so comfortable that the spirit does not choose to inhabit the main house. While I studied Thai History as a major in an Australian University, nothing could prepare me for the weird things I have experienced living here the last 20 years.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Thanks for the information! That's interesting about the spirit houses. In one of George Carlin's videos, he talks about the American education system and says the same thing - it is by design. You’re lucky to have studied Thai history. I'll never have the chance now, but to study the country in depth at somewhere like SOAS must be really interesting. This is my 21st year in Thailand, and I still see and find out new things. It's a lifelong education!

[@hkcheong2292]

Thanks you for your information,keep it up.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

It's a pleasure! Thanks for your comment 🙏

[@terrymedlicott3580]

I find it to be a country if contradictions. Common sense and logic is non existant. They live for the moment and rarely plan ahead. Telling you what you want to hear rather than the truth is most irritating.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Telling you what you want to hear is known as พูดเอาใจ (poot ao jai). It's very common. The avoidance of criticism and speaking purely to please others can be confusing because you don't know what people are really thinking. I'm not criticising Thai cultural behavior. It works for the Thais and it's their country. As a foreigner in Thailand I get frustrated too at times and I'm just trying to understand what's happening around me.

[@globalceezy]

Facts everything is to the polar extremes

[@dalemawby8717]

So true

[@frankcherry3810]

I have been living in Chiang Mai for 10 years and what your saying is so true

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Thanks for the confirmation! Anyone who lives in Thailand for several years will eventually come to the same realisation. As I said, it's not fair to generalise, but you do see very common pattern of behaviour!

[@black_knight_1975]

Your videos are always a great watch-intelligent content and a calm voice. I just wish there were more! I really enjoy your Thai language videos too.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Thank you very much! You may have picked up from the videos that I have two kids and a working wife. This leaves me having to do a lot at home, and it doesn’t leave much time for videos. Furthermore, the kids have been at home for the last two months. However, things are changing. My son went back to school on Thursday, and my daughter is going back on Monday. My wife is also preparing to start a new profession, where she can work from home. These things should give me some more time eventually. I haven't done any reading Thai videos for a long time, but I'm hoping to do one next week. There's not a lot of interest, but at least a few people make an effort to learn.

[@leonk8113]

You are absolutely spot on with your examples. I also bet the microwave sales lady called you kee niao and roo mak as you were leaving the store...

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Farang kee nok! I really don't know what was going on there with the microwave. Was it a scam? Provide a 'free' item for Bt100, but then charge Bt800 extra for the main item? I would hope that a store as reputable as HomePro wouldn't engage in such seedy practices. Anyway, I figured out what was happening. Thanks for your comment. Some people seem to think that I'm criticising Thai beliefs and values, which I'm not. I'm not being judgmental about these things; I'm just trying to explain that some behaviour in Thailand that foreigners find unusual is because of the value system, belief system and way of thinking being different to their own. I'm definitely not saying that any of these things are superior or inferior to anywhere else.

[@Eoghan-hs2wz]

​@@expatlivinginthailand "Farang kee nok" does not mean a cheap foreigner. It means a Thai who tries to act like a westerner. You should get your hands on a decent dictionary.

[@diegestive4167]

I thought it meant bird shit

[@Eoghan-hs2wz]

@@diegestive4167 "Kee nok" means just that. There's a variety of guava called "farang kee nok". It's very small with a reddish interior. I've never been able to find a definitive answer, but perhaps the guava variety was a wild variety spread by birds eating its seeds. The variety is very small and has a reddish flesh. My guess is that the variety of fruit was named first, then later extended to Thai people. The fruit is considered an inferior variety, and Thais who try to act like farang are considered inferior to actual farangs as well.

[@diegestive4167]

@Eoghan-hs2wz thanks for the explanation.... what's chesp Charlie again used to hear it all the time 😆 🤣

[@JillC]

How about this.. my Thai husband and I were sitting watching a sports day at our son’s elementary school. The audience was under a tent like roof. One part was hanging down so I couldn’t see the whole view. I went to rearrange it and my husband got alarmed “No, we can’t touch that, the teachers set it up!” So I left it.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

These little things are strange, and they often leave you thinking, why? Perhaps rearranging it would imply that the teachers had done it wrong, and this could be taken as criticism?

[@Mikeydawson]

I have Thai friends that when you tell them something bad that happened to you and they don’t want to help they reply OH, leave me hanging 😂

[@expatlivinginthailand]

LOL! Sometimes I get responses that I didn't expect, but it makes me wonder if the Thai person actually understood what I said. The good thing is that life never gets boring 🙂

[@davidb2206]

The ringer was they always asked me "Now, mi?" The meaning included the IMPUTED meaning! It was not only a straight translation of "Do you feel lonely?" or "Aren't you lonely?", BUT "SINCE that happened to you -- and you feel lonely or _____ -- WHY DON'T YOU LEAVE?!!"

[@HairyPixels]

Without critical thinking you're lost. One of the most important things you can learn to do but you need to be curious.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Right again. I think the example I gave of the microwave illustrates this. The salesperson told us that one model couldn't steam food. My wife simply accepted this, with no interest in finding out why. I'm always curious and want to know why things are the way they are. The basic problem is the education system, which I've observed first-hand. It's not everywhere, but in many schools it's all one-way in the classroom and kids are not encouraged or expected to ask questions. Thailand keeps promising to change the system, but I haven't noticed a lot of change yet.

[@HairyPixels]

@@expatlivinginthailand I'll take your word for it, never seen education first hand here as I have no kids in school. In general though Thai people can not face failure so if they start thinking critically disagreements are bound to come up and then there's no emotional support for how to cope with this. For us it's part of life learning how to disagree and make forward progress but I don't think this is taught here.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

@HairyPixels Good points. Smooth social interactions, without any criticism so that no one gets upset, are very important. Critical thinking, as you say, could create conflict and confrontation, so best avoided.

[@davidb2206]

@@expatlivinginthailand That's a good part of it, but it's more than that. 98% of everything in your typical apartment today was invented by a whyte male. Not politically correct to say, but true nonetheless. Why do you think that is? Radio, refrigerator, aircon, synthetics for clothing and carpeting, tv, computer, gas appliances, stainless steel, shavers, medicines, lights, calculators, phones, clocks, fans ... 98%.

[@davidb2206]

@@HairyPixels True, Thais can't deal with confrontation until they explode in a violent incident that then is in the Bangkok Post. Critical thinking would also challenge their hierarchical system and ruin the pyramid of favors and show of respect that they prefer.

[@mateusz1945]

funny for me is spending most of your money on new car that you spending maybe 10% of your time in while living in crappy house 90% of your time. I mean no water tank and pump, no AC, full of mosquitos. Like... there are cheap solutions to improve your life forever but you chose new motorcycle instead??

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Exactly! Some years ago, before houses got very expensive, I would often see cars parked outside a house that were more expensive than the house! Thais will take out 84 month loans just to get a new car, and you very rarely see a dirty car. On the other hand, many houses are filthy and not looked after. It's a value system thing. They want to impress people while they're out in their cars, but don't really care about their houses. A new car or motorbike is far more important than anything else.

[@lianjs5305]

Good evening Sir, have a great weekend.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

You too! Thanks 🙏

[@buddhathebarber4857]

I would say public nose picking and the overuse of menthol inhalants always seemed odd to me .

[@expatlivinginthailand]

I think that's why they have very long nails on their little fingers. Menthol tubes stuck up one nostril is another common sight.

[@mythai05]

​@@expatlivinginthailandIf you're talking about the long fingernails on the little fingers of men, that can be traced back to the days when Thai workers in Singapore were dying mysteriously from Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome (SUNDS), also known as Brugada Syndrome. Co-workers reported that the victims would talk in their sleep and/or cry out suddenly before dying. Many believed the cause was a vengeful female spirit, so men started growing their fingernails long (and sometimes polishing them as well) in an attempt to trick the spirit into thinking they were female.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

@@mythai05 Fascinating! I've never heard this before Thank you 🙏

[@dalemawby8717]

They don't think about tomorrow, they don't like hearing WHY, they can't think for themselves, image is everything, they can't drive and especially can't corner

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Yep

[@gary-bl1lu]

You are right about image being everything. That includes driving. They have to be in front of you no matter what. They will wring out every last horsepower to overtake you only to stomp on the brakes as soon as they are past you because they want to turn off the main road on to a side road. 🤣 Dangerous as **** but the most important thing is being first.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

100% correct! If I overtake a car, the most important thing in the world is for the driver of that car to then overtake me. That is the most important thing, and safety goes by the wayside. It happens every time I go out in the car, which is almost every day. Driving is the aspect of living in Thailand that I enjoy least.

[@twenisix]

Yup saving face is a Asian mentality 😉

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Face, image, ego, presentation. Yes, very important. Image over substance. People can also lose face in Western countries, but there's a difference. In Singapore there is the culture of Kiasu, as well, which adds a few more twists.

[@toki513]

Another thing I realized is that they act childish in disputes even when they are grown up. I still don't know why they actually act like that. It's signature Thai because even Burmese or Vietnamese recognized this behavior as unusual.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

There's a lot of childish behaviour. The way men decorate and drive their vehicles reminds me of when I was 17.

[@davidb2206]

Very tribal, primal. That's why in any fight with a mere "farang" about 8 to 10 Thai males will jump in who had nothing whatsoever to do with the original argument. When I was there, some drunk tourist males got made unconscious by this method and ended up in hospital, seriously damaged. This applies all over the country, so best avoided, even in the most rural areas.

[@toki513]

@@davidb2206 I saw that as well but those kind of tourists Ive seen also behaved like axxholes in my opinion and where confronted with tribal, primal problem solving skills.

[@davidb2206]

@@toki513 Lots of misunderstandings are easy to happen, so I don't judge and jump to conclusions right away. Besides, how is it morally justified to "gang up" on a man when he's down or inebriated? That goes against our Western Christian value of honor, but definitely not for the Thai male with its 9-year old concept of "face" for "us" (versus them, in a racist way). No excuse for it. If it is genuinely bad behavior, call the Thai tourist police.

[@toki513]

@@davidb2206 sure. I haven't had any problems over there I must say. No scams or violent disputes.

[@toki513]

I found out that you can not ask people there about their opinion. They always say that they never thought about it before wich is obviously not true. Then they really get suspicious about why you ask this particular question and for what you may need the information. They are taught to think what they say instead of say what they think.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

I think that's certainly the case with strangers. My wife is never shy about giving me her opinion! But yes, it's probably the confrontation avoidance thing. They are definitely taught what to think and how to behave.

[@foodiebreeze3299]

I fell in love with Thailand for the same reason, everything was different. No to very little Western influence nowadays, things are very different which is a shame.

[@domi9577]

Getting stoned also makes everything feel different. Both Thailand and weed are drugs for the susceptible.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

I've seen a massive difference since I first visited Thailand. I also think it's a shame, but that's progress. Thais want all the material things that the Western world has to offer.

[@davidb2206]

@@expatlivinginthailand True. But, like the third worlders pouring illegally over the U.S. southern border, they don't want to WORK for those material things; they want to TAKE them. The theft and burglary here in the U.S. now is unprecedented and never seen before. Some few members of the Venezuelan gangs have been caught breaking into 8 homes in an afternoon in a "gated community" near Phoenix, for example. [See numerous news reports.] Millions of them have not been caught, since Biden has allowed in 18 MILLION unknown aliens during his term. My veteran friend's phone was stolen by 3 of these "unaccompanied minors" at our local boot/flea market sale. The oldest -- the only one who could speak any English at all -- appeared to be maybe 18. The two others were likely 15 or 16. They are NOT here "to work" as claimed by the marxists who have destroyed both the UK and the U.S. (and the EU).

[@mixingjd]

I am in the States, but have been to Thailand 7 times and made friends with some Thai people. I have seen these things. One of my friends changed her western name because her Buddha guy told her that the new name would bring good fortune to her new business venture. Something I also find it very interesting is my friends that worked at a bar would at the beginning of the evening pour a shot of liquor out onto the ground. This is done to give back to the earth, so that in return they will have good business that evening selling many drinks. And the placement of shots of liquor on a nearby Spirit house and on a shelf inside the bar as a gesture of hospitality to the spirits. We know that humans are by nature superstitious. And I still see it here in the States. Maybe it’s because of the genetics of being part Native American, but I have on occasion felt superstitious myself. Once those things get ingrained in a culture and passed down for generations, it is difficult to purge them. I would really be interested to see if the HiSo Thais are still as superstitious as the regular working people.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Thanks! I hadn't heard about pouring shots of liquor on the ground. My first girlfriend changed her name, and I have known many Thais change their phone number - including my wife. Yes, all societies have their superstitions and many Western superstitions would baffle Thais. I'm not criticising Thai superstitious behaviour, and my attitudes toward superstition in the West are the same, but because the belief system is different I have just tried to learn more so that I have a better understanding of behaviour that confuses me. As far as I know, it's the same with HiSo Thais. When he was Prime Minister, I read reports that Thaksin allegedly consulted with a Cambodian witch doctor before making decisions. I don't how true this is, but I think the belief system applies to all levels of society.

[@mixingjd]

@@expatlivinginthailand interesting 🤔

[@vassanab4243]

@@expatlivinginthailand Korean president also consult with his shaman. Lisa blackpink also changed her name because of a fortune teller(she told her to change the name to Lalisa, then after that 1 week YG company called her back). The billionaire Chinese Thais also have to consult with their fortune teller. When the Chinese got married they have to check if the couple are matched or not by the fortune teller.

[@soggysocks25]

Anything ..said by a foreigner..is deemed .offensive..😊😊

[@expatlivinginthailand]

You certainly have to careful about what you say.

[@sharkysharpy6233]

Good to know

[@expatlivinginthailand]

🙏

[@mangostickyrice555]

Thumbs up 👍 expat living

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Thanks 👍

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Thank you!

[@DSandy111]

Yup! 😁

[@expatlivinginthailand]

🙂

[@UtopiaBanished]

1:11 IMHO, this type of behavior is not unique to the Thai. In many countries, including in the West, many people change phones every time a new one comes out. Especially the iPhone users. AND it reminds me of news a while ago about a Chinese kid sold a kidney to buy a new iPhone. We are living in a materialistic world. 2:10 As a non-religious person, I don't really understand this either. But I think, Thai superstitious are largely kept to themselves. On the other hands, western superstitions and or religion nuts often force others to follow their faith, as seen in the expansion of Christianity centuries ago. Note that, people of one belief are likely to call people of another belief "superstitious" BUT as a non-religious individual, I can't see a difference between superstitions and religions. 6:37 I would go for the cheap one and buy a cheaper plastic box too, but IMHO this too is not unique to one country and/or culture.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

🙏

[@gangsom]

Good video West ham v Luton today.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

I hope you win. It's a nothing game for West Ham, apart from the players trying to impress the new manager. We're safe from relegation, and there won't be any European games next year. On the other hand, it's a huge game for Luton. You can still overtake Forest if their results go in your favour, and you can pick up some points. Good luck!

[@gangsom]

​@@expatlivinginthailandcheers I think we could win the last two games but like you say it also depends on Forrest results. COYH

[@expatlivinginthailand]

@gangsom West Ham have been in the same situation many times over the years! But in some ways, a relegation fight is a lot more exciting than mid-table mediocrity!

[@gangsom]

Mid table mediocrity would do me fine. It will be a fairytale story if we stay up with the injuries we've had and our budget.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

​@@gangsomWell, it didn't quite go to plan for Luton, even after a good start. Sheffield and Burnley down. All eyes now on the Forest/Chelsea game.

[@lauriechilds6819]

Yep, that's Thailand all over

[@expatlivinginthailand]

It's just different, and that's why we all love it!

[@teomy5531]

😊❤❤

[@expatlivinginthailand]

🙏

[@armunro]

My experience is there are lots of different people in Thailand and while one might say x another might say y. Even educated Thais who may have had better schooling and university than say ordinary Thais who went to state schools and universities will give you different points of view. I am lucky my Thai wife has good education and a modern view of the world; however she is smart to know that she can't disagree with elder or more senior ppl in her family and will instead just say nothing.Let them have their view and believe what they want!

[@expatlivinginthailand]

That's right. It's unfair to generalise because everyone is different, but you do see very similar personality traits and patterns of behaviour. The social hierarchy is very strict in Thailand, and older people earn more respect. Your wife's behaviour is very typical! Thanks for your comment.

[@domi9577]

I'm surpised to hear that you're "not allowed" to put certain things in your own home. That seems really under the thumb. I could never marry a superstitious Thai, especially one that forced it on me. Thankfully my Thai wife went to an international school so is as rational and considerate as I am.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Going to international schools and particularly going abroad to live for a while makes a huge difference. When I was teaching, some of the students would go abroad to study for a year. I noticed a huge difference when they returned. Not only a huge improvement with their English, but also with their attitudes and way of thinking.

[@davidb2206]

@@expatlivinginthailand True, they saw things that opened their eyes. I knew Thais who had been in the U.S. for ten years. When they went back and then I saw them again they had a totally different perspective on Thailand and especially the Thail government and Immigration: "They will take all that you have." "Why do they have THREE coin sizes of the same denomination?!" (Things like that.)

[@domi9577]

Your microwave example is nothing to do with Thailand. I bought a used Audi in a main dealer in the UK 10 years ago and was offered retrofitted cruise control for £750. I turned it down because my cousin works in a VW garage and fitted it for me in 15 minutes at a cost of £30. Most other Brits without my connections would have paid it.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

I guess you're right. It was probably a scam to make a bigger profit and no doubt these things happen everywhere.

[@davidb2206]

In the Asian world, it is the Chinese who are masters of this. I am 100% sure that this was the brainchild promotion method of a Teow-chu in Thailand.

[@postcardsfromasia9653]

well that explains why i my thai friend would not accept my gift of a new Samsung phone,

[@expatlivinginthailand]

LOL!

[@tozmoto]

While I understand the points made in this video, it's important to remember that they don't apply to all Thai people. Many Thais are not superstitious, and there is a significant middle class and affluent segment of the population. Additionally, there are plenty of Thais who are skilled at personal finance and earn competitive salaries. It's crucial to avoid overgeneralizing and recognize the diversity within any culture.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

I realise this, of course. Thank you.

[@davidcoleman2796]

This is why they're on the side of the Japanese in World War II . 😂

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Japanese troops landed on southern Thai beaches during WW2, made their way down through Malaya, and captured Singapore. British Singapore only expected to be attacked from the sea, so all the guns were pointing the wrong way. The British were furious, and after the war, they demanded reparations from Thailand paid in rice. Churchill described the fall of Singapore as the 'worst disaster and largest capitulation in British history'. However, WW2 saw the beginning of the end of the British Empire and a transfer of power from Britain to the USA. Thailand was strategic in the US's fight against Communism in SE Asia and didn't punish Thailand for aligning with Japan. The Thais were also clever during the colonial period, playing off the English against the French, and managing to avoid colonisation.

[@Eoghan-hs2wz]

​@@expatlivinginthailandThe US bombed Bangkok during WWII. The reason the US didn't punish Thailand after the war was because the resistance movement convinced the US that the Thais had surrendered under duress. I knew that the Seri Thai (Free Thai) movement was supported by the US, but when I visited the Seri Thai Museum located within the Seri Thai Park, I learned that the British had played a major role as well. It's a small museum but entry is free. You just need to contact them the day before to gain access. The park alone is worth a visit. Very quiet midday and no tourists.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

@@Eoghan-hs2wz That’s interesting. Where is it?

[@Eoghan-hs2wz]

@@expatlivinginthailand Seri Thai Museum and Library is in Seri Thai Soi 53. It's heading out east towards Minburi.

[@davidb2206]

@@Eoghan-hs2wz Good info. Wish I had known about it when I lived there. Never even heard of it from other expats or Thais. The Trink Page never mentioned it. That would make a good video, too.

[@seans7228]

Try to explain "Thainomics!"

[@expatlivinginthailand]

That is completely beyond me. Sorry!

[@seans7228]

@@expatlivinginthailand Haha!

[@sociallypatterneddefect9580]

Havnt owned a microwave in 3 years

[@expatlivinginthailand]

It's probably not a good thing to use a microwave too much. However, with me and my wife having busy lives, and two kids in the house, the need to prepare food quickly necessitates the use of a microwave.

[@davidb2206]

Have never bought one in my life. They ALL leak microwaves around the door seals, according to the Consumer Reports testing. THAT is not healthy for your heart or body in any way. I can wait till my food warms in American cast iron on a gas burner, thanks, no problem.

[@jaypee7440]

Except for the sales hack which is common everywhere even in the west all the other behavior you mentioned resembles the west 50 yrs ago when it was developing after ww2

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Thanks for your input!

[@boopfer387]

Hold on thats not Thai logic just didnt understand. Ask her something she knows alot more about. Same with my wife even previous. Phones i will never get nor handbags, or shoes. In the 6-12 or more monrhs logic.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

We have enough shoes in the house to open a used shoe shop!

[@nsiva8798]

😅😅😅

[@expatlivinginthailand]

🙏🙏🙏

[@visitstomyneighbours]

The part about the white car with a sign that says it's red (3:05) is the most interesting one to me 🤨 I'm guessing maybe red is considered more auspicious, but it's cheaper to just stick on that sign rather than repaint the whole car. It also reminds me of a video (perhaps one of yrs? I forget 🤔) that said it's unlucky in Thailand to compliment how cute a baby is, cos it might attract evil spirits to take the tot away.. so it's actually better to tell Thai parents how 'ugly' their kid is 😄 This next thing is not about Thailand.. but of a similar topic. I'm from a minority race in Malaysia, and there is this thing in my culture that says if you intend to eat something but then leave without actually doing it, some misfortune will happen to you unless you at least touch a bit of that food.. e.g. if it's rice, then touch a grain of rice before leaving. I don't practice it myself.. but among elders who insist, I just accede. Better than arguing 😅

[@expatlivinginthailand]

You need to be able to read some Thai to spot these things, but it confused me at first, so I had to ask some Thais. It's superstition again. It's because a fortune teller tells you that your bad luck is because you have a green car, when you should have a black car. You're exactly right. It's expensive to respray a car, but apparently, just putting on a sticker saying the car is a different colour is good enough! There is a thing about babies being stolen by evil spirits. This, I was told, is why Thais give their children unattractive nicknames, such as Frog, Crab, Chicken, etc. Having one of these nicknames is supposed to offer children protection from evil spirits. I had never heard of the tradition you explained, but it is interesting! When I was growing up, my Mum had superstitions about putting new shoes on the table, walking under ladders, Friday 13th, etc! It's all a bit silly, but we all have them. What's interesting is that they only apply to certain people. Thais don't worry about any of these things. I wasn't trying to criticise or belittle anyone. I was just trying to explain behaviour that foreigners might find unusual in Thailand!

[@visitstomyneighbours]

@@expatlivinginthailand I was just thinking abt the flip side, i.e. foreign behaviours which might seem unusual to Thais.. I'm aware that in Cambodia for example, it's offensive to pat kids on the head, yet that's something very normal in Western culture. Obviously I'm not a Westerner myself, but I see nothing wrong with it and sometimes do the same. However, I wouldn't want to commit any behavioural gaffes while in Thailand (or anywhere else for that matter). So.. perhaps a subject for a future video 😁

[@expatlivinginthailand]

@@visitstomyneighbours Thanks for the suggestion. In Thailand, the head is the most sacred part of the body, and the feet the dirtiest. Just after I got here, I made a big faux pas by tugging a girl's ponytail. Not good. It was a joke, but she didn't see the joke. Sometimes, before you get a haircut the person cutting your hair will wai and apologise in advance for touching your head. Thais are always telling you to sit down - nung gawn. This is because the relative height of your head upsets them. If they are sitting down, they don't like you standing over them. Thais are not tactile. In Western culture a pat on the head or the back is a sign of encouragement. Touching someone's head in Thailand is not good, and generally, touching anywhere is not good. There's no shaking hands. The Thai wai is contactless. It's bad to point your feet at someone, but I've had Thais do this to me. There's no need to be afraid of cultural gaffes. Thais don't expect foreigners to know anything about Thai culture, Thai language, or any single thing about Thailand. They therefore ignore any cultural blunders and put these gaffes down to ignorance. If I did a video about this, I'd need to plan it and think about what to cover.

[@pantalons6969]

Is it cos I is black?

[@expatlivinginthailand]

Possibly.

[@davidb2206]

Image is a shallow value, and is what immature children would focus on, rather than substance. I heard Thai culture described as "appearance, not substance" while I lived there. The bus seat incident with you was more than likely an act of overt racism, since you are a mere "farang" to them. The driver had, in his mind, "reserved" the seat for the specific Thai woman, either because she was a relative of his or she had arranged it with some payment or reciprocal favor, also possibly through her own superstition about a certain seat location or number. Was it center aisle? I observed that a large number of the bus fatalities were along the windows and happened quite often.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

I dress like a tramp, drive a 21 year-old car, use a cheap phone, and basically don't care about what other people think of me. This annoys my wife, who will sometimes pick out clothes for me to wear. A few weeks ago she refused to go out with me unless I changed my trousers! My view, like yours, is that all these things are superficial. I'm fairly confident in my own ability and don't need to put on an external show for the benefit of other people. But this isn't how Thais think. Maybe you're right about the bus seat. I never figured it out. It was a window seat so that I could look outside during the journey. Road fatalities occur very often. There was a nasty crash involving a big tour bus some years ago with tourists on board. The driver was driving very fast and a foreign tourist felt uncomfortable so asked the driver to slow down. The driver got angry. Don't criticise my driving and don't tell me what to do. He started driving even faster and then the bus crashed, killing some passengers.

[@davidb2206]

@@expatlivinginthailand I took a LOT of long bus trips, such as to Mae Sot and Loei, and always avoided the window seats along the traffic-side (in Thailand, the right side as you are facing the driver). I'd seen too many photos of that whole side being scraped off in collisions.

[@patrickcarey5130]

You are from a country that worships a King who derives his power, wealth and position directly from God. This may be true because he and the rest of them didn't work or earn anything. I am from a country (USA) that has millions of people who have an invisible friend in the sky. Compare that to your spirit house.

[@expatlivinginthailand]

That's right. We all have different belief and value systems. That's the point I was trying to make. What point are you trying to make?

[@mmark8394]

Americans are a very proud race for some odd reason, self agrandisment is better than none

[@beentheredonethat1525]

@@mmark8394 which RACE of americans are you referring too ..?

[@davidb2206]

@@mmark8394 The reason is called the 1800's. Creating the place with the most liberty in all world history for the individual, while at the same time becoming the richest and strongest in only around 112 years or so, give or take. Well earned pride. (It's all been lost or given away today.)