Jul
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What is this Thai Land?
July 11, 2007 |
A year and a half ago, I knew next to nothing about Thailand. The first time someone told me about it was my uncle who did a round the world trip after finishing his university studies. He traveled with his girlfriend, and came back telling tales about how friendly everyone was there. That is, if they wanted to sell you something.
The next tale was a couple of lads in my platoon while on a peacekeeping tour in Lebanon in 1994. They went to Phuket, and where promptly sent to the field hospital to have a check for STD’s by our female medic when they returned. Both with a sheepish grin on their faces. They both came out clean, but where put off the blood donor list. They had some amazing tales to tell, and nobody believed them. Besides, why go all the way to Thailand when we could party our brains out in Tel Aviv, Beirut and Aiya Napa on Cyprus?
Then 12-15 years later, fate sent me to Asia, and with Thailand the best vacation spot from here, thats where I went. And surprise, surprise, a year and some months later I am married with a beautiful Isaan girl/ woman/ lady and preparing to move myself over there.
So what do I know about the place? Well, like my beloved Norway, they are a monarchy. And the King is very popular and respected. During the year that passed they did however have a military coup. So democracy is in the bin at the moment. Well, they have promised to hold elections and so forth. So time will tell if that is going to be rectified anytime soon.
They call it the land of smiles. Well, the Thais are not always smiling. But when a Thai girl really smile at you, the world will stop dead in it’s tracks. Thats what trapped me. I have Thailand fever. Well, it’s turning more to Isaan fever. As every time I visit the northeastern part of this amazing country i fall more and more in love with it. So forgive me but I am going to mention a few cliches here. The Isaanites are really the salt of the earth. Friendly, fun loving, but still hard working people.
Sure Isaan has it’s problems. Mainly grounded in merciless poverty. And it’s not helped by the attitude of other Thais towards them. That is one of the main issues I have with Thailand. It’s racism and xenophobia. I am aware that that word is perhaps to easy to deal out in todays politically correct world. But Thats what it is. When you are put down, and told in so many ways that you are worthless because you have a bit darker skin, speak and look a bit different than others, then it is racism.
Yes we have it in the west as well. I am not so proud of the way f.ex the Sami people in Norway have been treated over the years. And it is not so many years ago, when you could read adds in the newspapers in Oslo worded something like this: “Room for rent, Northerners need not apply”.
So Thailand have it’s shadow sides. Well, they have their surprisingly good highways, their mobile phones and Internet cafes in every street in the cities. But it is still a 3rd world country. With a little luck, and perhaps a little less of “Mai Bpen Rai” they will get there in the end.
Meanwhile I am going to enjoy waking up with the chickens (yeah right), eating chicken and rice for breakfast with Nan (definitely), and tinker around the hut. So the village will be my Thailand. And the hut my home. Correction…our home. No matter what crazy colors my wife will paint it with. And just to mention it, they started with the floor tiles today, and as Nan suspected, she has purchased too few. So it was off to buy more. Luckily they had the same type and color.
Well, back to what Thailand is. I don’t know. For me it’s an amazing country where I met my wife. From September on I’ll discover what it really is…at least from my point of view. I’ll get back to you!
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Comments
5 Comments so far
HMmmm sounds like ya better put some socks on.
People are people all over the world.
Same,Same..you have racism or classism everywhere, the strong always use intimidation and might. Ive noticed that one makes their own world. Now I dont know your means, but just keep in mind;If you want to keep the “Big Money” you will probably have to work in another country.
In America, everyone is up in arms about the Mexican immigration issue, when I go to Thailand….Im the Mexican (no insults meant to anyone reading this).
Im sure if you look enough, you will be able to find the Thailand your looking for.
For me,I dont think I can live FULL TIME in Isaan. I probably could in Pattaya but it would be hard on a relationship.
Put socks on? I have not been wearing shoes for more than a year, he he.
I am aware that there is classism and racism everywhere. It does noe mean I have to like it.
That I will have to work in another country is self evident. But for now I will enjoy Thailand as long as I can.
As for immigration issues, in Norway it’s the Pakistanis people are up in arms about. So yes, we have our own issues.
I could not live in in Pattaya. I would be bored to death.
if I told Amy I wanted to live in Pattaya death by boredom would be the least of my death related problems….
And they say asian women are so meek and subservient!
Yeah right!
I have never been to Isaan, in fact I still have 99% of Thailand to explore. However I totally agree about Issan people.
I soon decided I would be as happy in Kai’s home town of Wichianburi as anywhere and it would be a lot easier to look after her parents when they get old.
I started riding round Wichian looking for building plots anywhere in town.
As the big move gets closer, Kai has informed me that we can live anywhere in Wichian as long as it is in MOO 6! I had not realised, but that is the district where all the people from Isaan live. Kai’s parents are from Roi-Et and Kalasin.
Next I will probably be told we can live anywhere in MOO 6 as long as it is on a particular Soi, and I shall still end up convinced it was all my decision!