Uniquely Thai

The ultimate modified scooter – the ubiquitous tuk-tuk and yes, I do dream of buying one

As we wrap up our stay in this wonderful country, I’m reflecting on some of the experiences that were unique and noteworthy to me. It’s an incomplete list and in no particular order but here goes…

Velocipidial Vehiculations

The scooter is a way of life here. Many of the taxis, transport vehicles, mobile kitchens and local traffic were scooters.

Some observations…

Kids riding on the front with no protection? No problem.
Helmets? The skull is a natural helmet.
Can you attach that metal contraption to one side of your scooter? Then you must attach it.
80 year old grandma with no goggles or helmet? Get back on the highway on your dinky 2-wheeler
Want to weave in and out of traffic carefree while vans, busses and taxis magically miss you and the 3 helmet-less people you’re transporting? Then a scooter is for you.

It bears mentioning again. These things slithered through traffic and around big vehicles, passing by going into oncoming traffic… always with no problem and no one getting bent out of shape, no honking. No road rage – at all.

Inside scoop from Nai: The Thai people are a bit sensitive and honking out of impatience can be upsetting to everyone else. To keep the peace, no one seems to do it.

There’s alot of traffic in Bangkok, but it was clear after a few days the two-wheeler was the preferred transport. Mostly helmet wearers here – while in Pattaya it just didn’t happen

In addition to scooters, the ‘Baht Bus’ was solid public transit.

Spirit Houses

Spirit houses are everywhere – in front of houses, stores, restaurants, car washes. Nai gave us the skinny: Whenever there is a new construction project, a spirit to chosen to bring protection and luck to that building. A spirit house or two (one for the land, one for the structure) are then bought or built and offerings of food and water are made daily. I saw a lot of these things and all of them looked well cared for … sometimes in stark contrast to the human abode under their protection.

A Shocking Electrical System

A Billion Buddhas …

You can’t throw a stone without it skipping off some Siddhartha or another. We saw 10,000 if we saw one. Buddhism is the dominant religion here, and there are laws against defacing a buddha image and signs stating it’s anti-Buddha to get his image on a tattoo.

… and the Temples they Rode in On

Good gods, there were a ton of Temples, all eye-poppingly ornate.

The Wonderful Thai People

Buddha must be doing something right because the people here (all the ones we met and encountered) were polite, friendly, unassuming and kind. They say hello, goodbye and thank you with hands in prayer through a bowing gesture. You can’t help but reflect the same gesture back. It absolutely makes you feel loved and honored.

Inside scoop from Nai: In the big cities, they are generally more polite and kind to tourists than to each other (the locals) – because they appreciate the positive effect tourism has on the economy. However out in the country, it is still ‘The Land of Smiles’ to one and all.

Dates in the Buddhist Calendar

The Buddhist calendar is 543 years ahead of our Gregorian one

Visually beautiful language

Absolute Royal Adoration

His Royal Highness is beloved – truly adored – by the public. If you’re from the west and are used to free elections and critically lampooning political leaders, this kind of reverence would inspire cynicism. You’d think this constitutional monarchy – installed by a military overthrow – must be forcing devotion from its people. Especially since his image is plastered all over the place – surrounded by gold filigreed frames and shiny baubles. Nope, they really do venerate the dude as this interesting article explains.

The Siamese sovereign came in small, medium large and XXL sizes.

F-ing Fantastic Food

Since I can’t say enough about the meals we’ve eaten, I won’t even try.

Interesting Local Remedies

That tiny dime-sized Tiger Balm provided insect protection, mosquito bite relief and felt great on sore muscles for 3 of us – and we still had plenty left over. Mr Centipede was for sale all over as an popular cough medicine.