Why I love Thailand and Thais despite the many flaws.

Gentlemen,
I’ve lived in Thailand for several years and am have just scratched the surface in understanding the people and culture.

The Thais have an attitude of mai pen rai meaning “never mind” that can be very endearing and charming in some cases and foolish and enraging in others.

When one makes an error in speaking Thai, the Thais merely smile and act nicely.

Taking a long time in your food order? The waiter/waitress will merely wait until you find what you’d like.

Mispronouncing the word “Kwai” as on “Bridge on the River Kwai” as “K-why” instead of “K-ware” as it actually is? No “ploblem”! “Kwai” means penis! “Bridge on the River Penis”?

What is bad about this attitude is a lack of any sense of responsibility or accountability.

A venomous cobra jumping into the audience at the Bangkok Snake Farm?

Mai pen rai! (means "Never mind")

Fire exits padlocked in a major Jomtien beach hotel leading to massive casualties during a fire?

http://www.pattayamail.com/230/news.htm

Mai pen rai!

An elevator under repair by workmen at the Citicorp building in Bangkok that plunged several stories killing three of them and amputating both arms of the forth.

Mai ……………you know!

Thais are the most polite people I’ve met………until they get behind the wheel of a car or ride a motorcycle!

Crossing the street or even walking down the sidewalk is an adventure.

The traffic is totally oblivious to pedestrians, I shudder when I see a solo child or a mother with children attempting to cross the road.

And my heart is filled with dread whenever I see a “Pizza Company” on the block with its many delivery motorcycles. I can guarantee that one or two will be barreling down the sidewalk ignoring the pedestrians.

Getting back to “mai pen rai” what about the motorcycles themselves with more than two passengers often with four or even five. I see babies and young children with no protection or helmets.

I would be aghast at the accident scene involving these children.

Some expatriates I’ve talked to want to take a sledgehammer to every motorcycle in Thailand.

But on the other hand I’m warmed by my Thai cook at my favorite restaurant that brings me a cold cloth to cool my brow. She fetches me a tissue without being asked when I have to wipe my hands.

I love the “wai” (Thai greetings gesture) I receive after my purchase is rung up at “Big C’ by the smiling cashier.

I’ve heard that the smiles are phony, that Thais smile at everything despite their real mood or feelings.

Well, so be it, I prefer it to the “honest” surliness of most retail and service people in the US/UK.

Thailand still values the customers unlike most Western countries where the help thinks only of their own time and is rude to customers.

I feel at home for the first time in my life and am made to feel welcome.

I love Thailand and Thais!

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Reader's comments:

Dear..Mr.Claw, *kwai* is an old thai words means River,that u means very nice..ce..but in Laos language not thai.that means some one who s teach u from North-East and they all speak Laos...hehe. Added by: originalthai gl    Report abuse

I am so envious of ex pats living in thailand i look on it as heaven on earth. and it is my dream to live there. Every time i visit i dont mind admiting there is a tear in my eye when i leave. But i am the single parent of a four year old little boy and since his mother handed him over, as she wanted the single life back, my dream has had to be put on hold.I am 45 years old and a smart reliable person.If any ex pats could help me fulfill my dream, in the way of jobs property to rent and info on schools for my little boy i would be thankfull till the day i die jeffslad@btinternet.com Added by: terry    Report abuse

Gents, this article says it all about the joys and hazards of living in LOS! Added by: Bruce    Report abuse

like CLAW I just love Thailand and thais Added by: veteran    Report abuse

Thai people are one of the worse drivers in the world. Motorbikes are coming from all directions, even in the opposite direction. Added by: Ron California    Report abuse

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