Comments on: Greetings from Thailand: Bare necessities of life

By: Pete

Pete — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 08:12:04 +0000

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.

By: Greg

Greg — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 13:50:02 +0000

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.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 04:02:56 +0000

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.

By: Peter Notley

Peter Notley — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 03:01:36 +0000

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

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 08:44:47 +0000

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.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 08:36:27 +0000

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.