Comments on: Thailand, People and Beyond http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:28:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Aquafina http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-84173 Aquafina Wed, 30 May 2007 21:54:38 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-84173 As a spouse of a Thai wife, I can say that Thailand is a great place to visit. There are many places that one can go but one needs to avoid certain places that are experiencing extreme political hotspots such as in the south near Maylasia where there have been some bombings and shootings. (Its a muslim stronghold there). If one is in Bangkok, there are many good places to go to explore such as the Jim Thompson House, which has roughly 6 Thai houses joined together to make one huge house like a mansion. Everything inside the house is from the 16th Century onwards. Its a very humble place and I really liked it because its a rather simple place that Jim lived in. He was responsible for reviving the Thai silk industry across the country; In fact, he made Thailand his home after retiring from the intelligence community in the US. Restaurants in Thailand are relevantly cheap to eat in. In fact, I recall paying around $30 bucks to feed something like over 15-20 people two years ago. If you explore Chiang Mai, you should take a side trip to the mountains where the Hill Tribe people live and see for yourself how they, in the past, cultivated opium there. (Yes, they still have some growing there for the tourists to see.) Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai both are part of the "Golden Triangle" (China/Burma/Laos) where Opium trade was prevalent back then. Good time to go to Thailand is better during the cooler part of the year: November to March. April is generally the hottest part of the year. There are many good beaches to go to in Thailand that are off the beaten path such as Hua Hin. Pattaya isn't that great due to the fact that there are many prostitutes frequenting the area. Im told that there used to be an US Army base there which is why prostitutes are pretty much entrenched there. Phucket has largely recovered from the Tsunami there and it is really a beautiful area to visit and prices of hotels are pretty reasonable there. If anyone has any questions about Thailand, hit me up and I'll do my best to answer your questions. I try to go there every year with my wife and daughter since we both absolutely love it there and we have family living there as well, which is a huge plus for us. Thai culture is really a treasure for me and a real change from the US as Thais value respect a lot more than we do here. As a spouse of a Thai wife, I can say that Thailand is a great place to visit. There are many places that one can go but one needs to avoid certain places that are experiencing extreme political hotspots such as in the south near Maylasia where there have been some bombings and shootings. (Its a muslim stronghold there).

If one is in Bangkok, there are many good places to go to explore such as the Jim Thompson House, which has roughly 6 Thai houses joined together to make one huge house like a mansion. Everything inside the house is from the 16th Century onwards. Its a very humble place and I really liked it because its a rather simple place that Jim lived in. He was responsible for reviving the Thai silk industry across the country; In fact, he made Thailand his home after retiring from the intelligence community in the US.

Restaurants in Thailand are relevantly cheap to eat in. In fact, I recall paying around $30 bucks to feed something like over 15-20 people two years ago.

If you explore Chiang Mai, you should take a side trip to the mountains where the Hill Tribe people live and see for yourself how they, in the past, cultivated opium there. (Yes, they still have some growing there for the tourists to see.) Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai both are part of the “Golden Triangle” (China/Burma/Laos) where Opium trade was prevalent back then.

Good time to go to Thailand is better during the cooler part of the year: November to March. April is generally the hottest part of the year.

There are many good beaches to go to in Thailand that are off the beaten path such as Hua Hin. Pattaya isn’t that great due to the fact that there are many prostitutes frequenting the area. Im told that there used to be an US Army base there which is why prostitutes are pretty much entrenched there.

Phucket has largely recovered from the Tsunami there and it is really a beautiful area to visit and prices of hotels are pretty reasonable there.

If anyone has any questions about Thailand, hit me up and I’ll do my best to answer your questions. I try to go there every year with my wife and daughter since we both absolutely love it there and we have family living there as well, which is a huge plus for us.

Thai culture is really a treasure for me and a real change from the US as Thais value respect a lot more than we do here.

]]> By: Keri http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-84148 Keri Wed, 30 May 2007 01:07:58 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-84148 Seriously, people, what's up with the negative comments? Why don't you just smile like the Thais instead? ;) Jesse, I really enjoyed this post (probably because I'm with you about how Americans are in a pursuit of happiness, through material means, IMHO). =P Hope you and your group have safe travels and I look forward to reading more about your experiences being in Thailand. *SMILE* Seriously, people, what’s up with the negative comments? Why don’t you just smile like the Thais instead? ;)

Jesse, I really enjoyed this post (probably because I’m with you about how Americans are in a pursuit of happiness, through material means, IMHO). =P Hope you and your group have safe travels and I look forward to reading more about your experiences being in Thailand. *SMILE*

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-83996 Anonymous Wed, 23 May 2007 18:25:27 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-83996 The comments thus indicate the truth of the old maxim "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." But no matter how exotic, foreign, different, or attractive other countries are, they're always populated by real people with their own problems, lives, desires, etc. To fetishize people of a different country bespeaks a certain naivete. The comments thus indicate the truth of the old maxim “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”

But no matter how exotic, foreign, different, or attractive other countries are, they’re always populated by real people with their own problems, lives, desires, etc. To fetishize people of a different country bespeaks a certain naivete.

]]> By: Financially Prudent http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-83995 Financially Prudent Wed, 23 May 2007 18:22:50 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-83995 Taking out a loan to take a vacation is an incredibly stupid thing to do. About the same as taking a five year loan on a car that rapidly depreciates to less than the loan amount in its 4th year. Taking out a loan to take a vacation is an incredibly stupid thing to do. About the same as taking a five year loan on a car that rapidly depreciates to less than the loan amount in its 4th year.

]]> By: Lesley http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-83912 Lesley Mon, 21 May 2007 17:03:33 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-83912 Jesse, I love the way you write and express yourself, or rather romanticize your journeys, and I think it just shows us what is going on with you as you travel and experience a culture and people different than your own. Granted, your feelings and admiration of such may not be the same in 3 weeks time but then again, we don't love everything about everything do we? We as Americans are very good at finding what is wrong with something and searching for that "quick fix" to make the world seem better again. Whether it be medication, a bigger t.v., a faster car, a better paying job, a partner to share our life with, our culture is constantly looking to be bigger and better without much time to REALLY appreciate what we already have. Its not that its America bashing but rather acknowledging a tendency we have in our country that may be deemed "arrogant" or even "selfish." The question then becomes, "what are you going to do with your new found knowledge?" grin Or rather, "What are you bringing back with you to share with us consumer driven, medicinally dependent, monitarily obsessed Americans?" =) Safe travels to you, David, and Bren! Jesse,
I love the way you write and express yourself, or rather romanticize your journeys, and I think it just shows us what is going on with you as you travel and experience a culture and people different than your own. Granted, your feelings and admiration of such may not be the same in 3 weeks time but then again, we don’t love everything about everything do we? We as Americans are very good at finding what is wrong with something and searching for that “quick fix” to make the world seem better again. Whether it be medication, a bigger t.v., a faster car, a better paying job, a partner to share our life with, our culture is constantly looking to be bigger and better without much time to REALLY appreciate what we already have. Its not that its America bashing but rather acknowledging a tendency we have in our country that may be deemed “arrogant” or even “selfish.”
The question then becomes, “what are you going to do with your new found knowledge?” grin Or rather, “What are you bringing back with you to share with us consumer driven, medicinally dependent, monitarily obsessed Americans?” =)
Safe travels to you, David, and Bren!

]]> By: Curious Eyes http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-83905 Curious Eyes Mon, 21 May 2007 04:27:54 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-83905 Aside from a slight tendency to romanticize, Jesse, I'm looking forward to reading more of your blogs about your trip. I hope you'll look beyond the surface appearances and actually engage a few people in conversation, not just observe them at a distance. Did you know that Thailand has 11 (or so) schools for the deaf, and several community agencies, including a Thai equivalent of NAD? When you meet hearing Thais who can read and write in English, they too have stories to tell. Aside from a slight tendency to romanticize, Jesse, I’m looking forward to reading more of your blogs about your trip. I hope you’ll look beyond the surface appearances and actually engage a few people in conversation, not just observe them at a distance. Did you know that Thailand has 11 (or so) schools for the deaf, and several community agencies, including a Thai equivalent of NAD? When you meet hearing Thais who can read and write in English, they too have stories to tell.

]]> By: Jen http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-83901 Jen Mon, 21 May 2007 01:57:46 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-83901 As Lolajl pointed out, it is easy to smile and far more difficult to see what is going on behind the smile. Check out the Nation and the Bangkok Post and you will see a country with many problems of it's own, including brtual things between Muslims and Buddhists in the south. In addition the former Prime Minister and head of the "Thais love Thailand" party made deals with the world's worst dictatorship, Burma and keep refugees from said dictatorship behind barbed wire, not even granting them official refugee status half the time. The man is currently out of the country on extremely serious corruption charges and there is a military regime in place at the moment... That said, I am a Canadian who has lived in Thailand for almost three years now and the easy way in which people smile never fails to warm my heart either, even after all this time. Still, I live in a small town and here, many people will smile to your face before turning around and spewing some wicked gossip behind your back. But still, I love those smiles and I'm glad they make you smile,too. As Lolajl pointed out, it is easy to smile and far more difficult to see what is going on behind the smile. Check out the Nation and the Bangkok Post and you will see a country with many problems of it’s own, including brtual things between Muslims and Buddhists in the south. In addition the former Prime Minister and head of the “Thais love Thailand” party made deals with the world’s worst dictatorship, Burma and keep refugees from said dictatorship behind barbed wire, not even granting them official refugee status half the time. The man is currently out of the country on extremely serious corruption charges and there is a military regime in place at the moment…

That said, I am a Canadian who has lived in Thailand for almost three years now and the easy way in which people smile never fails to warm my heart either, even after all this time.

Still, I live in a small town and here, many people will smile to your face before turning around and spewing some wicked gossip behind your back.

But still, I love those smiles and I’m glad they make you smile,too.

]]> By: A Deaf Pundit http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-83898 A Deaf Pundit Sun, 20 May 2007 20:26:59 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-83898 Wow. That was GOOD! I laughed at some parts, and cringed at some others. Wow. That was GOOD! I laughed at some parts, and cringed at some others.

]]> By: Curious Eyes http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-83897 Curious Eyes Sun, 20 May 2007 17:37:49 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-83897 Jesse ... I've been to Thailand 3 times, each time staying a minimum of 2, to as long as 5 weeks, and have not noticed that Thai people smile all the damn time. Just the normal amount of smiling, same as Americans. True, though, their smiles are gorgeous and sincere. I love their custom of greeting one another with the <i>wai</i> -- pressing their palms together, a bow, and a smile. That's one custom I'd like to see Americans do. After you've been to Thailand a few times and the novelty of the exotic culture wears off a bit, you'll see that Thais are just like everybody else all over the world. They have jobs, families, friends, and their share of woes and joys. Some of their cultural mores and values are really different from ours, not necessarily better. And I'm really tired of this America-bashing going on here. There's no call for that. We don't all spend every waking minute in a big SUV, watching TV, yelling at each other, popping Prozac, etc. SOME of us are out there smiling at each other, walking on the street, riding a bike, loving their children, and -- <i>gasp!</i> being unhappy or even angry once in a while. Jesse … I’ve been to Thailand 3 times, each time staying a minimum of 2, to as long as 5 weeks, and have not noticed that Thai people smile all the damn time. Just the normal amount of smiling, same as Americans. True, though, their smiles are gorgeous and sincere. I love their custom of greeting one another with the wai — pressing their palms together, a bow, and a smile. That’s one custom I’d like to see Americans do. After you’ve been to Thailand a few times and the novelty of the exotic culture wears off a bit, you’ll see that Thais are just like everybody else all over the world. They have jobs, families, friends, and their share of woes and joys. Some of their cultural mores and values are really different from ours, not necessarily better. And I’m really tired of this America-bashing going on here. There’s no call for that. We don’t all spend every waking minute in a big SUV, watching TV, yelling at each other, popping Prozac, etc. SOME of us are out there smiling at each other, walking on the street, riding a bike, loving their children, and — gasp! being unhappy or even angry once in a while.

]]> By: Curious Eyes http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-83896 Curious Eyes Sun, 20 May 2007 17:27:24 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/guest-blogger/2007-05-17/thailand-people-and-beyond/#comment-83896 OMG! That film is classic, Allison. Everyone, you've got to see it -- you'll laugh out loud. Maybe even feel humbled too? OMG! That film is classic, Allison. Everyone, you’ve got to see it — you’ll laugh out loud. Maybe even feel humbled too?

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