Greetings from Thailand: Bare necessities of life
I am going to Bangkok, Thailand for three months. It’s possible that I might lose a finger or get scammed out of $500 in bahts, as they call them. I could get mugged while enjoying the city.
Countless people are quick to say, “Be careful in Bangkok!” regardless of how long our acquaintance. There are more than enough dangerous anecdotes to get you worried about living as a foreigner in Thailand.
In recent months, I’ve heard from many people advising me on what to expect while in Thailand.
Tuk-tuks will drive the long way to raise their fair, only to stop at gem stores and tailors in attempts to get your money. A simple Internet search will show many different ways non-residents have been scammed. There are dangers in nightclubs, in taxis and on beaches. The alcohol can make one blackout for days on end. Insects and animals are huge and can kill you.
Despite these dangers, this country is one of the most beautiful places and full of the most generous people you will ever meet.
Thailand is full of experiences. Life is easy and much more fulfilling in their new homeland. There are amazing waterfalls, ancient temples and beautiful people. The food is delicious, inexpensive and abundant. The months spent here will be some of the most fulfilling in my short life. There is chance I might become an expatriate with no intention to leave.
In reality, I have no idea what to expect. The advice people have given to me has ranged from “Creepiest idea ever” to “You’ll wonder why you haven’t gone before.” The experience will be an adventure – one with tragedy, transformation, corruption, fire, elephants, ecstasy and strippers.
My job is to chronicle these outrageous events and share them with you. I’ll be going there with only a backpack, so the experiences will be void of the American possessions of my upbringing. Hopefully the times will be as real and strange as possible.
I have not left America yet, so everything so far is mere speculation.
I’ll be studying in the International College with people from all over the world. I promise to do one crazy activity per week. My mission is to entertain you, the above-average student of Towson University.
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If you find yourself in the Isaan area (Northeast Thailand) around Pakchong or Korat send me an email if you would like to spend a few days in the jungle where I help my father manage a low power radio station. Be warned though, it’s rainy season and I stepped on a snake last night.
If you come here looking for danger, you’ll find it.
What a stupid article to start. Anywhere you travel in the world is fraught with danger.
Thailand is a wonderful place of contradictions which one should not come looking for – they will evolve on their own.
Chill man and enjoy what you find here and don’t listen to those that tell stories upon stories upon stories.
My god you have no idea have you .
There is more danger in any western city than in Bkk .
You might find that for the first time in your life you can smile at a stranger and get a warm smile back not just a blank look .
Good luck
You’ll have fun. You won’t get mugged. Innocent bystanders are extremely rare, though you’ll probably pay too much for your fisherman’s pants.
Tuk tuks negotiate their fare before they take you, so they won’t go the long way. If they offer to take you to five temples for 20 baht, there will be a tailor and jewelry store along the way. Avoid this. The palace/temple isn’t closed, no matter what the nice old man with the tuk-tuk tells you. Taxis are metered (for the most part) and cheaper (always).
Eat without reservation. Be respectful and learn a decent wai. Wash. Learn to say mai pen rai and stay jai yen. Smile often.
And eat, eat, eat.
I live in Chiang Mai in the North of Thailand. Bangkok is chaotic, but loads of fun, and much more of an international city than anywhere in the US. It will be a rare situation when you do not feel completely safe. There are a lot of stories put out by people that have never been to Thailand, or were here just for a few days. I think life in Thailand is much better than in America, that’s why I chose to stay here.
Hey buddy, first off it’s not bahts with an s, it’s just baht singular or plural. Second off, how about you stop it with your judgements until you get there and see things for yourself.
Scammers prey on people in any country, even the United States. Just don’t be stupid. Tuktuk drivers can also be some of the nicest people you meet over there, just trust your judgement to avoid the sketchy ones and keep in mind that they’re running a business after all. Animals and bugs have the potential to kill you in any country. Any night club in any major city should be assumed to be sketchy. The only trouble I had in a taxi in Bangkok was having to sit through the awful standstill rush hour traffic. And where on Earth did you hear that alcohol blacks you out for multiple days, the Hangover 2?
Parts of Bangkok were nicer than any city I’ve ever been to before. Its modes of public transportation were much better than any American city too, even if the khlong is sketchy and smells awful. Almost everyone is friendly as can be too. Do your best to avoid the chain restaurants, though an occasional mcthai delivery to your door at 3am is always great, and mostly only eat local food/street food, it’s much better and cheaper. Always bargain at the markets, never pay their full asking price.
You’ll be best off if you leave that American mindset of yours at the airport and always keep in mind that all things in Asia are definitely different than what we’re used to in America. Though soon enough, you too will realize that riding a motorbike in the 2 foot gap between a car and the curb of the sidewalk isn’t such a bad idea after all.
Oh yeah, and don’t pet the soi dogs.
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