A Thai Girls Reverse Culture Shock

Today while out teaching Golf how to drive she made a comment about how she can’t wait to see what it will be like when I have to deal with the culture shock of moving to Thailand.  Certainly as a Thai girl in America she has done a great job adjusting to the differences in culture, food and weather and she wants to see how I will adjust when the shoe is on the other foot.

Of course that made her think too about the things SHE will need to adjust back to when we move to Thailand.  It will be reverse culture shock for her and I can relate, because I know several weeks away from the U.S. will have me questioning what should be normal daily events.

So, what is it about Thailand that a Thai girl doesn’t look forward to going back to?

• No returns on merchandise at many places.
• Not allowed to try clothes on at many of the marketplace sellers.
• Getting “Bangkok stomach” from some of the food stalls
• Bangkok traffic
• “Thai time” - This refers to the fact that Thai’s are notoriously late for everything.  Just like they are working on a different clock than you and I.  If a Thai tells you something will be 15 minutes be prepared to wait for up to an hour.  And don’t ever expect someone to meet you at the time specified, it just won’t happen.
• Customer service that tries to help, but seems always to be unable to for one reason or another.
• Making far less money than here in the U.S.
• Corrupt politicians and police
• Bangkok traffic - if you’ve been to Bangkok you know that it was worth repeating

Huh, look at that.  Seems it is pretty much the same things a lot of westerners complain about when they move to or visit Thailand.  Of course Golf may not be completely representative of the average Thai, after all she did marry a farang and move away from Thailand.  I think it’s fair to say that her opinion matches with many of the younger educated Thai’s though.

What is it about Thailand that makes you crazy, angry or just downright frustrated?

Popularity: 9% [?]

Thailand Musings Future Plans

I started Thailand Musings a little less than 6 months ago as something of a hobby site. I just wanted to share my own love and passion for a country that I have been visiting for 10 years and have come to think of as a second home. I know that the Kingdom has so many different things to offer people and I wanted to share my thoughts and experiences.

Since then I am seeing the blog growing and I want to devote more of my time to not only growing the blog, but also fostering a sense of community among the readers. I have seen my subscribers growing and I want to thank all of you that have already subscribed, you are my loyal readers.

As I focus more on this blog I’m planning some big things in 2008. First off we’ll be changing our look here. I am shopping for a new theme that I hope will make the blog more presentable and easier to read. Soon you’ll be able to find Thailand videos here as I expand the blog. There is a contest on the way next month and I am also developing another Thailand themed site at Golf’s request. If you’ve been thinking about subscribing why not subscribe now either by feed or by email.

Today I created accounts at all of the major social networking sites (Facebook, Hi5, MySpace, Friendster and Tagged) and I would love to see you there as my friends. You can find the links on out contact page, but please excuse the beginner profiles. I am in the process of fleshing them out. There is even a Thailand Musings Group now on Hi5. Don’t be a stranger, come join us.

I’m also planning a weekly roundup starting next week so you’ll be able to find links to some great Thailand stories and content outside the blog. If you’re a fan of Thailand like I am this will make it easier for you to find new and interesting stories, blogs and websites. I’m also open to new ideas, so if there’s something you’d like to see here let me know one way or another, either through our contact form or at one of the social sites.

I just wanted to let you all know how committed I am to Thailand Musings and to take this opportunity to join me. I can do all the writing (or you can write too), but it is the community that will make Thailand Musing most successful. So help us out and subscribe to the blog, leave your comments, let us know if you have ideas and join us at the social site of your choice.

Thanks again to all the current and future subscribers. I’m looking forward to the rest of 2008 and with your help Thailand Musings will shine and become a great resource for everyone interested in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Three Days in Koh Samet

So, you’re in Bangkok for a short while and want to get away to the beach for a few days. Phuket and Samui are out of the question because it’s just too far away for a two to three day excursion. What to do now? Read more

Popularity: 23% [?]

Clothes from the Tailors of Bangkok

Here’s another wonderful post from Richard of Richard Elliot’s blog about tailors in Bangkok. It’s great that Richard wrote this for us because it’s not a subject I would have touched on since I’m not really a suit and tie kinda guy. Thanks again Richard and all my readers drop by his blog and say hi won’t you?

Bangkok’s Tailors - Where to Go and Where to Avoid

There is no comparison between wearing a beautifully tailored suit that fits you like a glove and a lumpy ill fitting off the peg suit that still seems to cost a small fortune back home. Wearing a perfectly fitted suit makes you feel special, more confident and helps you to walk taller. It can also be very exciting having a suit made while on holiday. Being measured up, describing exactly what you want, choosing the right fabric and attending fittings can be fantastic fun. The tailor is likely to treat you like a king. That might be because he wants your money, but it still makes me feel a bit special! Lucky for us that Bangkok has some great tailors where we can get clothes made for a fraction of the price back home!

Over half of my work / formal wardrobe is from tailors in Asia. I’ve got suits, dinner jackets, trousers and shirts. I’ve also got some tailored casual clothes too.

However, if you have never been into a tailors before it can be a bit daunting, especially in a strange city. How do I get want I want? Will I choose the right tailors? How do I make sure I am not ripped off? Hopefully the below will give you a few pointers to set you off in the right direction.

Most of the tailors in Bangkok are actually just fabric sellers. They sell you some fabric, take your measurements and pass them onto a workshop where you suit is actually made. Your suit will almost certainly been machine sown was well. What you are actually getting is a made-to-measure suit and not the bespoke one advertised in the window. Don’t let this put you off, a made-to-measure suit can still look and feel great and some nice detailed finishes can add a lot of style and distinction to the finished article.

Make sure you choose a good fabric. You will only be able to make a good-looking suit out of 100% high quality wool. Thailand is famous for its silk and cotton, but not wool. The best quality wool’s come from Europe and Japan, I usually buy English wool and that is not just because I am British! In virtually every shop you go to, cheaper fabrics and some mid range ones too will be polyester or wool and polyester mixes, even if the band sown onto the edge of the fabric says “100% Wool, Made in England”. The tailor I visit is open enough to admit what is real wool and what isn’t. If you are not sure ask for a small sample. If it rips easily and melts like plastic with a horrible smell, when you hold a match to it, then it is probably a man made fibre. If it is difficult to tear and burns more slowly with an organic smell, it is probably wool.

Make sure you specify exactly what want. Single breasted? Double breasted? Side vents? Button hole? How many pockets? Real buttons on the sleeve? The list is almost endless. If you are not confident at doing this and have an existing suit that you like, take it along and most tailors will be able to copy it for you. Otherwise get on the internet and do some research or take along a picture of that Hugo Boss suit you want copied.

Next you need to avoid Bangkok Shoulders, as my Australian friend calls them. The Thais seem to love large should pads. Unless you are going for a retro 80’s style jacket, make sure you ask for small shoulder pads.

It takes time to make a decent suit. You will need to find a tailor you are happy with, choose the fabric and have all of your measurements taken. You will then need several fittings. If you are only in Bangkok for 2/3 days then it is probably not worth it, you should allow at least a week.

I hope that all of the above hasn’t put you off! You can still get some great clothes made for you in Bangkok, with a little of bit of care and effort, that will cost you a fraction of what you would pay on Saville Row. The main area in Bangkok is on Sukhumvit road around Nana and Asok Sky Train stations. You’ll need to do a bit of research to find the right place. Don’t be afraid to go in and ask to see some examples of their work, speak to the owner and any other customers in the shop. You get what you pay for, and should budget on spending $300 - $400 USD, after any discounts, for a good suit. In my experience you would expect to get a 30 – 50% discount on the price first quoted to you.

I use Royal Tailors near Nana BTS, opposite the Nana Shopping Centre. I have heard good things about Narin Couture as well.

At completely the other end of the spectrum, if I want the fake jeans I have just bought altered I use the denim shop in the basement of Central shopping centre in Lad Prao. Or for minor repairs you see girls sitting at the side of the road with a sewing machine all over the city.

Popularity: 32% [?]

Welcome to This is Thailand

My latest entry to the blogroll is a fairly new Thailand site called This is Thailand (I love the url) and authored by an American who is splitting his time between the U.S. and Thailand.  Go ahead over and say “hi” if you don’t mind registering first.  I must admit I haven’t commented there yet (are you reading this Bruce?) because of the need to register before you can comment.  Yes I admit it I’m lazy that way.

I was found by him rather than the other way around and I’m glad he did find me because I’ve been enjoying reading his almost daily posts detailing his experiences in Bangkok.  The tone is light and friendly and the posts are an easy read and (for me at least) a short getaway from life here in the U.S.

Recent posts have talked about cabbies in Bangkok, a night in Pattaya (no bargirls), and several posts about the service levels in Thailand.  You can tell that he loves living in bangkok and even when frustrated is able to maintain a degree of patience and understanding for the Thai culture.

One thing that is noticeably absent from This is Thailand is any mention of prostitutes, bargirls or katoeys and for that I applaud.  Lord knows there is plenty of that type of thing already available and I don’t think another blog about sex tourism in Thailand will help anyone, least of all the Thai’s.

The site is obviously growing and his blogroll has grown in the past few weeks from 4 sites to the current 50+ sites.  You’ve been a busy guy trading links!  What I really like about the blogroll he has is that it is divided into subject areas.  I rarely see that and I think it is a huge help to the readers.  In fact, maybe I should take a hint

So, if you love Thailand and need a daily fix of expat news and opinions head on over to This is Thailand and say Steve from Thailand Musing sent you.

Popularity: 25% [?]

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