I have a feeling this list will be horrible, but I want to see (for myself) WTF I learned if anything. Feel free to add the obvious stuff I missed. Maybe I’ll get one good point of my ramblings. I’m an American, which should be noted. I’m also white, of normal height, and, well, super hansum man. lol.
IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
​
1. Thais are very friendly, but back home people are very friendly as well. Once COVID hit, I was avoided like the plague (even in 7-11 by people who saw me every day for over a year). Friendly, yes, but patriotic like back home. Country comes first.
2. Soi dogs are worth more than my life.
3. Money is everything. If I gave a Thai 1000 baht and then asked for 20 baht, it would be impossible to get that 20. lol. I’ve given away computers (yes), phones (yes), and clothes as well as money. When I want discounts or deals or anything from these same people, no way. lol. I understand, I gave it as a gift, not for future discounts. It still is strange.
4. Thai kids really are special. Next-level kindness. Teaching kids in Thailand has to be 1 million times better than in America. If your heart doesn’t go out to these kids, you are dead. I’ve probably met about 6000 kids, and only sort of disliked two.
5. Water. Buying water. all day, everyday. ordering water. some OK, some not, it’s always water. water. water. plastic, water, plastic, water…..OMG I miss drinking tap water.
6. Heat. Will never get used to it. I’m sure it affects me less than others, but it’s still absolutely death heat. it’s really too hot most of the year. Too cold is worse, IMO, but too hot is crazy.
7. saving money is hard. After years you realize you really do need some nice things. phone, computer, clothes, whatever…..and add this to always going to Big C or Makro … oh….
8. 7-11. It’s like you can visit 7-11 more than your own family. For years it had me in its clutches, but I finally escaped. Feel better using that place much less. I learned it’s hard to find a good diet here.
9. Fruit. Even if a little “expensive,” buy it. Eat as much as possible, all day. Thailand and fruit. get some, worry about the plastic on it later. lol
10. Pollution. You do get used to it, hate yourself for it, and, well, you adapt. sad.
11. Crime. Almost zero. I don’t take that for granted. It’s great to forget anything and nobody will take it. People generally don’t steal anything. It’s nice. safe. very safe.
12. Motorbike. Never get one, never get on one, never, ever, ever…never. no. I did, crashed three times (lol), once riding pillion or whatever, and luckily I wasn’t hurt at all. The worst thing you can do here, don’t try to convince yourself otherwise.
13. Rent is so cheap it is laughable and great. Sure, not the best apartment, but sooo cheap.
14. Don’t date. Either fun or really look for a wife. No “dating,” like having a gf. I’ve had about six gf’s, and that stress isn’t fun. Fun, and bye, or I love you. Not a place for a serious gf that won’t end up in marriage. IMO.
15. Used stuff. Thais really keep their stuff in good condition, so buy used stuff. highly recommended. Facebook Marketplace. Find a good seller, done.
16. People are different. Issan people are nicer than in other places. Chiang Mai can be very nice or slightly rude (maybe from BKK). Smaller provinces likely have friendlier locals. Places are definitely different, I won’t go into details. I recommend trying out about five provinces, and you will notice the difference. I say North over South, East over West. But Udon (city) might be the exception. lol. bigger city, care about money more and treat you like a short-term customer.
17. Corruption will never affect you directly
18. Politics will never affect you directly
19. NEVER talk to anyone about 17 or 18. Sometimes I will listen to people, say nothing, smile, leave it at that. Don’t mess around with this conversation, even if you think you can.
20. Police are nice. I have many friends who are cops. OK, only two friends and the rest acquaintances, but don’t worry about them.
21. You will get ripped off a few times, don’t worry
22. Lost in Translation will add stress to everyone, don’t get openly upset.
23. Learning Thai isn’t that hard. Take a course
24. Read Thai first, very important. Don’t be afraid to speak Thai all the time, even if it’s for fun.
25. Coffee is generally horrible
26. Drivers are amazingly horrible
27. If you want to die, spend all your time on the roads. My advice, drive or exercise in a place over and over and over so you know it very well.
28. Never loan out money to anyone
29. Don’t bring a random person to your place, or let them know where you live
30. Don’t let anyone borrow stuff unless it’s a friend or you don’t mind giving it away
31. Give whatever you can to poor people. This will make your life better.
32. Be thankful you grew up with money, things, and experienced a nice lifestyle
33. Most people are way poorer than you think
34. Many people are depressed, think about suicide, hate their life, normal thoughts when times are tough. Times are tough here for a lot of people.
35. I’ve come across about 100 snakes, not fun. I hate snakes
36. Ants are a thing. keep your room clean
37. OMG it’s so cheap to ship things here
38. Hospitals are OK, never needed anything major. cheap.
39. If someone calls you “YOU,” they might not end up being a friend. lol
40. Sugar in food is worse than it being spicy.
41. If you have diarrhea from one place, never go back. fixed. it happens to us all
42. I heard some fruit sellers (pre-cut fruit) dip their fruit in some weird chemicals. not sure. maybe something to investigate. Keep the color “better”
43. Tip your massage person. Tip any service as little as 20 baht if you really think they deserve it. it means a lot to them (in the right cities).
44. you will get lonely (OMG, Number 44)
45. You are escaping something, but that’s OK. I want to go to Hawaii and keep escaping life. lol
46. Things will get so loud it will be insane. Noise. Noise. Noise pollution all the time. During COVID, it was amazingly quiet. Now, weird noise all the time. This is LOS.
47. Don’t ride an elephant
48. Internet is super cheap, get a plan and pay monthly. WiFi is hit or miss…it’s OK. probably better than OK, actually
49. Foreign friends. Pick very carefully. Some are the most negative, energy vampires. Once you find a good one, treat them like a friend you had back home.
50. Nobody cares. Thailand will teach you the world is a big place and nobody cares about what you are, what you are doing, etc…. so be YOU. really, be YOU.
51. Thai guy friends are great IF you are not drinking together. IMO.
52. Thai girls are more immature than back home. 18 seems like a baby. 22 is 18. 29 is 23, etc…. I’m now talking with women who are 31, but 29 when I feel crazy. lol. I’m not 31. lol
53. Never buy a house, get into a business, etc…
54. If you are not retired, don’t buy a car.
55. It’s OK to admit you might not retire in Thailand.
56. Thailand is still, IMO, the best SE Asian country. Vietnam Number 2, and I might need a few months in Laos to give that place a good shake. Laos is, as of now, nothing like Thailand. (hard to explain in a sentence, especially since the languages are so close).
57. Food budget is ridiculous. The biggest problem. I like Chesse, a problem. lol
58. less stuff is better. Harder to really do in practice. I have more stuff now than 8 years ago.
59. Stray cats, feed them. I’ve seen soo many kittens die, it’s pretty sad actually.
60. One day it was quiet, the next day they started building a house 20 meters from me.
61. Then my neighbor coughed like 10 hours a day.
62. Then I heard about 20 dogs yell all night and all day.
63. Renting is bliss……easy to move.
I’m sure I forgot a ton. Just wanted to make some notes……………
Remember, if this lists helps just ONE person, it’s worth it. lol
