5 Amazing Things I Like About Thailand

Posted by : foongpc | Monday, November 23, 2009 | Published in

ADVERTISEMENT


Do you know who are the friendliest people on Earth?

I don't, since I have not traveled widely enough to all countries in the world. But one thing is for sure, it's not us Malaysians!

A lot of foreign tourists said we Malaysians are warm and friendly, but if you have ever been to Thailand, you will know we are no where near their level.

I am not writing this post to criticize Malaysia or to praise Thailand, but just to share what I think. Strictly my own opinion and you are welcome to disagree with me!

And so here are 5 amazing things I like about Thailand based on my personal observation.

1. Did you know that traffic jam is legendary in Bangkok? I went there a couple of years back and the roads were just clogged with vehicles! And their 'tuk tuk' drivers were simply notorious for their reckless driving!


Photo courtesy of ESL Teachers Board

And yet, I could not help but feel it's also one the safest cities for drivers and pedestrians alike! Have you heard of serious road accidents in Bangkok? Well, at least not as many as in KL right?

And what really amazed me was they were not horn-happy unlike Malaysians! Even with all the traffic on the road, I did not hear a single driver horning his or her car! Isn't it amazing?


A 'tuk tuk' image courtesy of sino.net

2. Did you notice that most Thai people are slim? I hardly see any fat or obese people in Thailand! Now why is that? I guess it's their fresh and healthy food, devoid of too much oil and fats! Also, I think they walk a lot!

Now I have nothing against fat people, but I just marvel at how the Thai people manage to stay slim! I guess they are active people unlike most Malaysians who eat 24 hours a day and do not exercise!


Tom yam goong image courtesy of Thailand Travel Online

3. Do you think the Thai language is one of the most gentle and polite languages in the world? I really think so! Maybe that's why when the Thai people talk, they seem to appear so much more polite than Malaysians!

But I don't think it's in the language alone. I am pretty sure the people there are polite and caring. And most importantly, they give the best service! Is it any wonder that Thai's tourism industry is booming like nobody's business?


Photo courtesy of Mantrav International

4. Did you know the living condition in Thailand is worse than in Malaysia? And they are suffering from economic problems and political upheavals. Yet, the Thai people are simply nonchalant about all these. They seem to persevere and have the Mai Phen Rai attitude.

Mai Phen Rai is a well known Thai phrase for 'never mind', or 'no problem' or 'it doesn't matter'. And that's what I like about them! They take their problems in their stride. Life just goes on!

Now if only Malaysians have this Mai Phen Rai attitude and stop complaining when they are faced with minor obstacles and problems!


Image courtesy of Bangkok Noir

5. I notice Thailand is a very open country and they do not discriminate against people with different sexual orientation (read gay). Where else in an Asian country can you find go go girls and gay bars being openly promoted to lure in tourists?

I doubt Malaysia will ever be this open. Especially when the authorities here think being gay is tantamount to committing a sin that is worse than murder. I really think we should accept people as they are, be they straight or otherwise!

FIRST COMMENTER

(102) Comments

  1. Mariuca said...

    chop

    November 23, 2009 at 7:53 PM
  2. Mariuca said...

    HAHAHHAHHAHAHHA!

    November 23, 2009 at 7:56 PM
  3. Mariuca said...

    Almost heart attack la hahaha! Yay ME FC!!!!!

    November 23, 2009 at 7:57 PM
  4. Mariuca said...

    After a looooooong time of not chopping!

    November 23, 2009 at 7:57 PM
  5. Mariuca said...

    Wait ah.... lemme do my FC dance first cause long time didn get to chop!

    November 23, 2009 at 7:57 PM
  6. lina said...

    aiyah, thougth can have 2nd spot in comments. But Mariuca write so fast... :D

    November 23, 2009 at 7:58 PM
  7. Mariuca said...

    Ohhhhh of oz M'sia will never be this open Foong... hear da word gay only, sure get in trouble eh? ;)

    November 23, 2009 at 7:59 PM
  8. lina said...

    the Thai language sounds graceful if a woman speaks it, but for me the men sounds not macho at all. LOL
    Sorry!

    November 23, 2009 at 7:59 PM
  9. Mariuca said...

    Hhahahahahha helllloooo Lina, I was stalking!!!

    November 23, 2009 at 7:59 PM
  10. Mariuca said...

    I think they're thin cause do a lot of walking... we all always drive everywhere eh?

    November 23, 2009 at 8:00 PM
  11. Mariuca said...

    LOL @ not having anything against fat ppl, funny la u!

    November 23, 2009 at 8:00 PM
  12. Mariuca said...

    Ok now that I've chopped my heart out here, I can get back to my translation woo hoo! Enjoy ur Monday! :)

    November 23, 2009 at 8:01 PM
  13. Reanaclaire said...

    wah..first seven minutes also got 12 comments already.. yo.. who can beat that!!
    malaysia that open like thailand? no way,, man... no way!!!

    November 23, 2009 at 8:03 PM
  14. Pike-chan said...

    I have never been to Thailand but looking forward to the cheap shopping and food which I have heard so much about it.

    November 23, 2009 at 8:06 PM
  15. annant said...

    have never been to thailand either...but i know that it's a shopping heaven!!! me <3

    November 23, 2009 at 8:12 PM
  16. ladyviral said...

    The last I was in Thailand,it was only across the border. I didn't even get to say, I went to Bangkok. oh well :P.

    November 23, 2009 at 8:26 PM
  17. ladyviral said...

    Thai are open indeed.. afterall that it their tourist attraction. In Malaysia, there are restrictions so it is harder to be open. Eve if that happens, something bad might happen to the erson trying.

    November 23, 2009 at 8:28 PM
  18. ladyviral said...

    But that is us the tourist side looking at it. eventually, their own people ay think otherwise.

    November 23, 2009 at 8:28 PM
  19. lina said...

    Malaysia how to be open if Beyonce had trouble performing here, right?

    November 23, 2009 at 8:30 PM
  20. lina said...

    foong,
    you got a stalker here! Like celebrity one! Hehehe

    November 23, 2009 at 8:31 PM
  21. HappySurfer said...

    That tom yam looks delicious!

    November 23, 2009 at 8:33 PM
  22. J2Kfm said...

    I agree though. But there ARE Thai who are rude. Just like M'sians.
    We're considered okay .... just that it takes time for us to warm up to each other.

    November 23, 2009 at 8:59 PM
  23. Ken Wooi said...

    the last time i went to thailand, phuket to be exact, was in 1997.. so sooo long ago...
    dont know when im gonna visit that country again..
    mai phen rai! can read from your blog! =D

    kenwooi.com

    November 23, 2009 at 9:17 PM
  24. Borneo Falcon said...

    Maybe I should go to Thailand one day. My last visit there was when I was a child and someone pick pocket the money from my father. That bad impression still last.

    November 23, 2009 at 9:26 PM
  25. Shingo T said...

    Great observations there, foongpc!

    Haha, ya I realise that Thai gals are very gentle, no wonder the angmohs like them so much.

    But some of the gals look so skinny, that I wonder if its the Tom yam goong, or malnutrition.

    And Bangkok is so tourist-friendly, that I feel like a king when I go there.

    November 23, 2009 at 9:52 PM
  26. CH Voon said...

    i strongly agree with you.

    They are friendly, polite, repect and Nice!

    November 23, 2009 at 11:17 PM
  27. ChrisAu said...

    well..i've worked with some thai folks and they are very friendly, soft spoken, polite folks!

    November 23, 2009 at 11:54 PM
  28. foongpc said...

    mariuca, congrats! Finally back as FC! Haha, enjoyed your FC dance? : )

    Wow, spammed my blog to your heart's content, eh? Well, good for you! Now, when can I ever be FC on your blog?

    November 24, 2009 at 1:38 AM
  29. foongpc said...

    lina, oh, missed! Never mind, next round : )

    Haha, the men sound not macho? I didn't really notice that!

    You are right - Beyonce also cannot perform here, how to be open like Thailand? Impossible!

    Yeah, I feel like a celebrity now being stalked, haha!

    November 24, 2009 at 1:41 AM
  30. foongpc said...

    reanaclaire, haha, cos I'm being stalked : )

    No way Malaysia can be that open right? yeah, I agree - no way : )

    November 24, 2009 at 1:42 AM
  31. foongpc said...

    pikey, yes, you must visit Thailand - you'll love the food and of course the shopping there! : )

    November 24, 2009 at 1:43 AM
  32. foongpc said...

    annant, yes, yes it is! I'm sure you will like Thailand! : )

    November 24, 2009 at 1:44 AM
  33. foongpc said...

    ladyviral, well you can go and do a proper visit next time : )

    November 24, 2009 at 1:45 AM
  34. foongpc said...

    happysurfer, yeah it does indeed look delicious! And I remember the tom yam goong I ate in Bangkok was so good! I love Thai food! : )

    November 24, 2009 at 1:46 AM
  35. foongpc said...

    J2Kfm, yes Malaysians takes time to warm up to, but Thais are instant warm up! Of course there are always the rude ones - you can find that in any country.

    November 24, 2009 at 1:48 AM
  36. foongpc said...

    kenwooi, oh that was very very long ago! You should visit it again! : )

    November 24, 2009 at 1:49 AM
  37. foongpc said...

    borneo falcon, oh that's a pity! First bad impression always last! Hope you can visit Thailand again and change your first impression of it : )

    November 24, 2009 at 1:50 AM
  38. foongpc said...

    shingo T, yes the girls are very gentle that's why lots of angmohs like. Not only angmohs, but Malaysian men too!

    No idea why some are so skinny, maybe don't eat enough?

    Yes, Bangkok is very tourist-friendly. You really feel like a King when you are there, right? : )

    November 24, 2009 at 1:53 AM
  39. foongpc said...

    CH Voon, yes they are indeed! : )

    November 24, 2009 at 1:54 AM
  40. foongpc said...

    chrisau, so they are indeed soft spoken people. Glad my observation is correct! : )

    November 24, 2009 at 1:55 AM
  41. Blog and SEO tips to help you make money blogging said...

    What a rush hour :)

    November 24, 2009 at 4:33 AM
  42. Gin said...

    The traffic of some of Taipei's area is just like that first photo, jammed with vehicles, cars, buses and scooters. That shrimp meal looks so delicious and I believe they make very fine food.

    November 24, 2009 at 6:49 AM
  43. manglish said...

    i agree with you foong..i love thailand....especially their ppl and language....they are so gentle!!!! HAAHAHAHAAHHAHA...i think i might be thai in my previous life hahahaha

    November 24, 2009 at 7:48 AM
  44. Anonymous

    The Thai language sounds abit sing song to me. I will be enjoying Thai food this coming weekend :)

    November 24, 2009 at 8:24 AM
  45. Tekkaus said...

    Yeah! Certainly not Malaysia. :p So you have been to Thailand before lar?

    November 24, 2009 at 8:29 AM
  46. Tekkaus said...

    Yeah! I have heard about their legendary jam to especially in Bangkok. The accident rates in Malaysia is amongst the highest in the world. Surely no one can beat us. :(

    November 24, 2009 at 8:30 AM
  47. Tekkaus said...

    Not a single hon? Perhaps they are more patient..or their government has banned the usage of hon. :p

    November 24, 2009 at 8:31 AM
  48. Tekkaus said...

    I know! I know why they are thin! Because they perform a lot of black magic on themselves. That's why I guess. :p

    November 24, 2009 at 8:32 AM
  49. Tekkaus said...

    I don't think their language sounded gentle to me. But I agree that they are more polite. :p

    November 24, 2009 at 8:33 AM
  50. Tekkaus said...

    Mai Phen Rai? Ouh...yeah, I learn a new phrase today. This is a good attitude. Despite their harsh living surrounding they still manage to live in their own means....not like us malaysian..complain here and there.

    November 24, 2009 at 8:35 AM
  51. Tekkaus said...

    Nah...Malaysia will never have their own gay or lesbo bar. But I think we should not encourage them too. :p

    Anyway thanks for sharing bro. Have a great day.

    November 24, 2009 at 8:36 AM
  52. CheaHSan said...

    So you change strategy, so unpredictable now. Whoa love the aTOMic YAM very much. Traffic jam is a trademark already and one of the tourist attraction of Thailand, haha.

    November 24, 2009 at 8:53 AM
  53. Ayie said...

    About the traffic in bangkok my bestfriend told me about it during her trip, she said it's even worse than Manila. I haven't relly toured in Thailand, hopefully in the future.

    happy Monday!

    November 24, 2009 at 9:23 AM
  54. jam said...

    I like Bangkok and would like to go back there again in the near future as well as the northern province such as Chiang Mai. Not to forget is the Koh Samui. You join me?

    November 24, 2009 at 9:57 AM
  55. jam said...

    And ya, you are right on Thai people being the most gentle and friendliest. I had stayed 1 full year with Thai people during my university years. And I agree I am much more aggressive than my housemates, haha!

    November 24, 2009 at 9:59 AM
  56. jam said...

    I like Thai food to the most. I used to have Thai cuisine everyday as my Thai housemates cooked for me! You will amaze at how many types of curry they have, namely Tom Yam, green curry, yellow curry, red curry, just to name a few.

    November 24, 2009 at 10:01 AM
  57. இ Baŋäŋaz இ said...

    This year never been to BKK, nice food, yeah TomYam Goong is a must. Ladies would love the leather goods and Msia to be like Thailand? 101% "NO WAY" coz firstly spelling not the same even though gomen tried to add the '1' infront and nothing to comment further as you guys have said it all, loud and clear.

    November 24, 2009 at 10:28 AM
  58. xin said...

    i honestly think that thais are much better than malaysians. at least they are polite! and much less discrimination there. is it because people who are less wealthy are happy people?

    November 24, 2009 at 11:30 AM
  59. HappySurfer said...

    Thai food is indeed delicious, that is if you know what to order here and that the cooks are authentic Thais. The best Thai food I have ever tasted is at Rama V. The restaurant is at the U Thant area in a converted bungalow.

    November 24, 2009 at 12:22 PM
  60. iamthewitch said...

    Ehh how come you're promoting Thailand! Have you been appointed as Thai ambassador! *LOL*

    November 24, 2009 at 1:46 PM
  61. CheaHSan said...

    Took a closer look at the vehicles caught in the jam and noticed on the left lane out of about 60 cars only 2 'tuk tuk' but quite a few 'Taxi meter' and 7 'tuk tuk' on the right lane. Maybe not so much 'tuk tuk' in BKK as compared to Haadyai or at the time of photography most of the tuk tuk drivers went for teh tarik?(tea break)

    November 24, 2009 at 4:47 PM
  62. Ice said...

    I've been to Bangkok before many years ago. Looks like the traffic jam is an on going issue. Perhaps the people should cycle. Might beat the traffic instead :o)

    November 24, 2009 at 5:29 PM
  63. Bhavesh Chhatbar said...

    I too have heard something not much about Thailand that it's just a wonder, and people are as amazing!

    Garden Lizard

    November 24, 2009 at 5:59 PM
  64. Che-Cheh said...

    I actually sat in a taxi that honked like nobody's business in Bangkok. Hehe

    November 24, 2009 at 7:22 PM
  65. Gallivanter said...

    I dislike Thailand, Bangkok in particular. Love Koh Samui though. :-)

    November 24, 2009 at 11:34 PM
  66. Monica said...

    oh i blog abt this before too Foong! :D

    November 25, 2009 at 6:40 AM
  67. Monica said...

    i love Thailand esp Bangkok! coz i can go shopping for the whole day lol...

    November 25, 2009 at 6:41 AM
  68. molly said...

    Have only been to Haadyai and no intention to go Thailand in the near future.
    Sometimes I think a soft honk when necessary is ok for me. But not too loud, I have heart attack, haha

    November 25, 2009 at 8:18 AM
  69. Pete said...

    Thailand is a nice place for food and shopping. Just love the wholesale market!

    November 25, 2009 at 11:07 AM
  70. eiling lim said...

    Thailand is a nice place for cheap food and shop but definitely not the quality of life.

    November 25, 2009 at 3:46 PM
  71. foongpc said...

    blog and SEO tips, haha rush hour : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:09 AM
  72. foongpc said...

    jeannie, Taipei is like that too? Gosh! Yeah, the shrimp meal looks absolutely delicious! : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:10 AM
  73. foongpc said...

    manglish, really? You think you are Thai in previous life? Hmmm, interesting.

    November 26, 2009 at 2:11 AM
  74. foongpc said...

    mei teng, oh you are going Phuket right? Enjoy your delicious Thai food! : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:11 AM
  75. foongpc said...

    tekkaus, yes been to Thailand and loved it!

    Really? We have the one of the highest accident rates in the world? That's bad news! No wonder I felt so safe walking the streets in Bangkok! Haha

    No, I don't think you can ban the usage of horn as it is important to use them when necessary. I just noticed the Thai drivers use their horn very sparingly and only if necessary unlike Malaysians who horn for every little bit of thing and mostly unnecessarily!

    Black magic? No lah, they are slim because of their food and physical activity and of course, they don't go on a 24-hour food binging like us! LOL!

    Malaysia already have gay clubs but of course everything is discreet not open like in Thailand! : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:16 AM
  76. foongpc said...

    khengsiong, haha, no I'm going to Tasik Kenyir this weekend. I blogged about Thailand cos I just thought about it and decided to blog about it! : )

    Yeah, even though Malaysian beaches are better, we lack the hospitality and good service the Thai people hprovide. That's where we lost out to Thailand in terms of tourism!

    Really? Buddhism does not condemn homosexuality? I'm not aware of that : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:20 AM
  77. foongpc said...

    cheahs@n, well traffic jam only mainly in places like Bangkok, but other places in Thailand not as jammed : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:21 AM
  78. foongpc said...

    ayie, I think your friend is probably correct! Oh, go visit Thailand one day and blog about it! : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:22 AM
  79. foongpc said...

    jam, yes I will definitely want to go again! Especially to Chiang Mai and Koh Samui : )

    You stayed one full year in Thailand? Wow! So you must have learnt how to speak Thai and you should be more gentle now, are you? Don't look like it to me, haha! Juz kidding : )

    So nice to have Thai food all year round! Some more home cooked! Cool! : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:26 AM
  80. foongpc said...

    bananaz, haha I agree there is no way Malaysia can be as open as Thailand : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:27 AM
  81. foongpc said...

    xin, possibly, who knows?

    November 26, 2009 at 2:27 AM
  82. foongpc said...

    happysurfer, oh I have never been to Rama V. Must try it one day! Yes, authentic Thai dishes are really good, not the watered down versions in Malaysian Thai restaurants!

    November 26, 2009 at 2:29 AM
  83. foongpc said...

    happysurfer, btw, I noticed a huge difference in quality between food served in Malaysian's Black Canyon Coffee compared to Thai's. Black Canyon is a Thai restaurant and I enjoyed their food in Bangkok, but found it lousy in the Malaysian outlets.

    November 26, 2009 at 2:31 AM
  84. foongpc said...

    iamthewitch, yeah yeah I've been appointed the Thai ambassador! Haha! I wish! : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:32 AM
  85. foongpc said...

    cheahs@n, haha! Not sure about that! You are so observant! I didn't even notice! : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:33 AM
  86. foongpc said...

    ai shiang, perhaps but once you drive, it's hard to change to cycling : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:33 AM
  87. foongpc said...

    bhavesh chhatbar, yes indeed they are amazing! You should visit Thailand! : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:34 AM
  88. foongpc said...

    che-cheh, really? Well, I guess there'll always be exceptions : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:35 AM
  89. foongpc said...

    gallivanter, you dislike Thailand? Wow! First time I hear anyone said that! Bangkok can be a very charming city if you know how to appreciate it! Koh Samui is of course a very popular and famous tourist area : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:37 AM
  90. foongpc said...

    monica, really? I don't remember reading it - maybe I forgot already! Haha! Oh yeah for the ladies, Bangkok is a must for shopping! : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:38 AM
  91. foongpc said...

    molly, haha yes soft honk is enough. Loud horning is irritating! : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:39 AM
  92. foongpc said...

    pete, yeah nice place for shopping at bargain prices! I have never really ventured the whole of the Chatuchak market btw, it was too large! : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:40 AM
  93. foongpc said...

    eiling lim, yeah cheap food and clothes : )

    November 26, 2009 at 2:41 AM
  94. LifeRamblings said...

    bangkok is a great place for shopping and food but the traffic congestion is out of the question. it's worse than KL.

    November 26, 2009 at 8:01 AM
  95. Unknown said...

    foong, all the things u wrote about thailand is most likely true to many others too...! thats why people keep going back. i love the place & its people. truly, its amazing... it need not be unique! (hehe)

    December 2, 2009 at 12:25 AM
  96. foongpc said...

    life ramblings, yes the traffic jam is worse than KL, but all is forgiven when you get to shop and have great food! : )

    December 2, 2009 at 1:33 AM
  97. foongpc said...

    quachee, I know you are a big fan of Thailand, haha! I would love to go there again for a holiday! : )

    December 2, 2009 at 1:35 AM
  98. Faisal Admar said...

    yep they walk a lot. but walk a lot can cause you sweat and odor :P

    btw, does lime helps?

    December 2, 2009 at 10:05 AM
  99. foongpc said...

    faisal, haha! Put on a good deodorant to prevent the body odor!

    I think lime certainly helps to slim down and the Thai people seems to eat a lot of it! : )

    December 13, 2009 at 11:09 AM
  100. GAMING said...

    Historic Chiang Mai is Northern Thailand's perfect show off of the exciting indigenous cultural melting pot, which features various local languages, mouth-watering delicacies, fantastic architectural styles, vibrant gala's, traditional values, infinite handicrafts workshops, classical dances, beautiful art and traditional Thai massage Chiang Mai scooter rental https://sakurarental.com/ Wat Arun, synonymous with the Temple of dawn, is a Buddhist temple positioned within the Bangkok Yai district, at the Thonburi west bank of Chao Phraya River.

    July 6, 2019 at 1:11 PM
  101. Emma Stone said...

    Even thousands of smaller online travel sites are getting in on the act as the information is shared with them by the larger agents. affordable rental cars In the past, travelers had to go through hotels or travel agents to make a hotel booking via phone or writing.

    July 19, 2019 at 2:06 AM
  102. fortnite said...

    Hi! Thanks for the great information you havr provided! You have touched on crucuial points! electric cars

    December 7, 2019 at 12:22 AM