Quirky Things About Thailand

Quirky Things About Thailand

1. It’s a different year here - I had no idea some countries are going about life in entirely different years, but then I remembered calendars/years are based on religion, so of course not every country is recognizing the same year. Thailand follows the Buddhist calendar and the year is 2568 B.E.

Per the Buddhist calendar, I was born in the year 2540 B.E.

2. The traffic patterns and laws around vehicles are much different. There are significantly more motorbikes than cars and you will often see 3-4 people on a single motorbike. The most I've ever seen was 5- it was 2 adults and 3 young teenagers. You will see 10-15 people in the back of trucks and just so many things that would NEVER fly in the US. The traffic is so busy and crossing roads as a pedestrian often feels like the most intense game of real-life frogger. The madness works most of the time, but unfortunately, Thailand has one of the highest road fatality rates in the world :( Sadly a lot of people don't wear helmets and I noticed that phone usage while driving has gone up significantly since 2018 like it has worldwide (Don't text and drive!)... Atticus and I witnessed 2 motorbike crashes that happened directly in front of us. Luckily everyone was able to get up and walk away with minor injuries.

3. The signs you'll see. Here are a few that I wish I had pictures of as well as my personal favorite that I do have a picture of: 

1. "No combing in the restaurant" 
2. "Do not put trash on this table. Don’t” accompanied with a sketch of trash on the table 
3. A sign with stick figures having sex that is crossed out, is present in some taxis 
4. See pic under #6
5. My personal favorite: 

4. They put almost everything in a plastic bag, even drinks! Perhaps this is for transporting via motorbike?

5. Building code and regulations are different. Stairs are sometimes extremely steep, sidewalks are often uneven and sometimes you might find yourself in the middle of a construction zone with no warning. Clumsy people like me need to be extra cautious navigating Thailand's infrastructure! I got my arm stuck in between 2 automatic sliding doors because it didn't register that a human limb was wedged between them, but luckily, I escaped with nothing but a big bruise!

One of many "trip risk" zones

My arm 10 days after getting stuck between automatic doors

6. Time is not the same as it is in the west. For example, if a place says that they open at 10am, they might, but it could be closer to 10:30am or maybe even 11am. When we were in Phi Phi, we had pho at a very local place that wasn't listed anywhere online, so we asked when she opened because we wanted to come back for more the next day. She told us she opens at 5pm, so we came around 5:15pm and she said she needed at least another hour, maybe 2. I absolutely love this about Thailand and think the western world could chill a bit with the punctuality of everything - time is made up after all. I'm team go with the flow! 

7. Restaurant service is different than typical American standards. Food comes out whenever it's ready and in no particular order. If you order an appetizer, you might get it 10 minutes after your entree arrives. If you're dining with a group, even a small group, don't be surprised if your entrees come out randomly one by one. When you are ready to pay, you will likely have to track down your server because it’s rare for them to ask if you want dessert and/or if you're ready for your check. My interpretation of their system is that they assume if you need something you'll ask, so don't be afraid to ask, but be patient and polite. Servers are not working for tips like they are in the US, but tips are still much appreciated! One time, Atticus and I’s server fell asleep at the table next to us and his coworker had to wake him up so we could pay lol. He was also barefoot and in swim trunks. Basically, the way of life is SO much more chill here!

Our server asleep at the table next to us

8. Auntie Anne's here is the exact same, but they try to sell you perfume before you purchase a pretzel - we found this absolutely hilarious and it was hard to resist buying the perfume, but it was kind of expensive. You'll see a lot of chains here and their prices are comparable to the prices back home if not the exact same, so it's hard to justify ever choosing a chain over a local spot where you're going to get better food and pay a fraction of the price. Plus we’d MUCH rather support a local business than a corporate American chain! But Auntie Anne's is the one chain we visited one time in a mall because sometimes you just can’t resist that fresh pretzel smell.

Please let me know if this is a thing in the US that I'm not yet aware of, but something tells me this is unique to Thailand :)

9. Electrical wiring is different than what we're used to in the USA... The picture speaks for itself. 

Wild looking right, but hey, it works!

10. Meat is one of few things you won't find in a plastic bag. It's grab and go style, like the produce section, in a lot of supermarkets. 

Other things worth mentioning that aren't necessarily quirky: 

Thailand has 0% unemployment! This was apparent when I had my hospital experience. There were so many employees in all departments, which resulted in very short wait times and me being able to get an MRI with 1-day notice. 

I will add to this as I think of more things, but I'm going to wrap it up for now!

Overall, Thailand is my favorite country I've ever visited! I think it's the best place to begin a Southeast Asia trip due to its friendly and welcoming locals, longtime established tourism industries, and advanced medical facilities. Thailand is known as “Land of Smiles” because of its welcoming and hospitable culture! It’s such a special place full of amazing people :)