The Wai or Thai Greeting
February 17, 2008
In my last post I wrote that I think that Thai girls look so sexy when they wai, but many of you might ask what is a wai?
The wai (pronounced ‘why’) is the traditional Thai greeting. It is done by pressing your hands together in front of your chest or face and bowing slightly. The wai came to Thailand via the Hindu culture of India and is still widely practiced in Thailand today as both a greeting and a sign of respect.
In Thailand there are very strict rules of hierarchy governing the wai, who does the wai’ing and where to position your hands when you wai. To most foreigners there is little noticible difference, but if you train yourself you can see how Thai’s will wai differently to different people. In general here are the rules for wai’ing:
- Inferiors wai superiors first.
- Younger people wai older people first.
- The higher your hands are placed the more respect you are giving the person you are wai’ing. In general the heels of your hands will be about heart level. If you are meeting an important person or an elder your hands would be placed higher and for monks the heels of your hands should be in front of your lips or even as high as your nose.
- Do NOT wai street people or service people (ie the girl at the 7-11, hotel staff, bargirls).
As a foreigner you are not expected to know the rules for wai’ing and most business people will shake your hand. However, if someone wai’s you it is polite to wai back and you’ll want to know how to do so properly so you don’t look silly.
Thai’s will also wai when passing temples and spirit houses, even if they are driving! Many times I have been in the car when we pass a temple and see my father-in-law take his hands off the wheel to wai the temple no matter what the road conditions are. Just take it in stride and realize this is a sign of respect and very important to the Thai people.
I really love the wai. I think if westerners put more emphasis on the respect due to others we might have less problems. Plus like I said it looks really great when the girls do it. Maybe it is just the submissive look of the wai. I’m not sure, but I think it looks great. I’m often sorry to be here in the States because I don’t get the chance to see Golf wai at all.
Popularity: 24% [?]
10 Things I Miss About Thailand
February 12, 2008
On this cold and snowy winter day here in the U.S. I thought I would share with you 10 things I miss about Thailand. Typically a few of these things will enter my head at any time, but when the weather is like this they seem to be a constant in my thoughts. This list is by no means comprehensive and I’d love to hear about the things all of you miss from Thailand.
1. Obviously the heat and humidity. Call me crazy, but I love it
2. Being able to get a great cheap meal from a street vendor within minutes no matter where I am
3. Thai women wai’ing. Just something so sexy about them when they do that.
4. The crazy cabs that have that kinda incense smell and the white dots all over the ceilings.
5. The beaches and crystal clear water.
6. Thai smiles. They don’t call it the Land of Smiles for nothing.
7. Outdoor beer bars.
8. Black Canyon coffee and Roti Boy
9. Songkran Festival. I know it’s just once a year, but it is the best holiday celebration I’ve ever experienced anywhere.
10. Bargaining when I buy something.
So, those are 10 things I miss right now from Thailand. What about all of you, what do you miss from Thailand? Or if you’re living in Thailand what do you miss from your home countries? Please don’t tell me snow 
Popularity: 5% [?]
The Suan Lum Night Bazaar
February 10, 2008
One of Thailand Musings readers was kind enough to take me up on my offer to publish your stories, so today we have a guest writer.
Richard Elliot gives us his take on the Suan Lum Night Market in Bangkok. I love this post because Suan Lum is just 2 blocks from Golf’s old apartment in Bangkok so as you can imagine we spent quite a few nights there. Thank you Richard!
Richard comes to us from jolly old England and his blog is a personal style blog with his own musings as well as travel and food related postings. Give his blog a visit and let him know you got there from Thailand Musings
Many people visit
The night market is open every day and is easy to get to, located less than two minutes walk from the Lumphini MRT / Underground station. If you prefer to get a metered taxi, it is on Rama IV road and every taxi driver will know how to get there.
I have always found the market very friendly and approachable for a (first time) tourist. It has an excellent range of shops, but is smaller and more manageable than its more famous bigger brother Chatachuk Market. It also has the advantage of being open every day unlike Chatachuk market, which is only open at weekends. Despite being tourist friendly, there are lots of locals at the market and prices aren’t too expensive either.
As with every Thai market there is almost everything you can imagine for sale. My favorite items are the excellent range of silk scarves and clothing, handmade crafts (including a great card shop), t-shirts, bags and CDs. An excellent place to buy presents for friends and family back home as well stores for your onward trip through
There is a large food court at the market which has an excellent range of street food favorites, mine being the Som Tum papaya salad. Most evenings you will find a live band playing on the large stage within the food court. On the other side of the market there are a number of beer gardens and restaurants, serving German Wheat beer and showing Premiership Football (soccer) matches for home sick European travelers.
If you have more time to spend in the area and arrive early, try relaxing in
Being so close to the main business district of Bangkok, the market seems to be under constant threat of closure with developers seeking to build on the site. Thankfully it is still open, visit before it is too late!
Popularity: 6% [?]
Thailand Visa Changes - Penang Feb. 1st
February 7, 2008
There has been a lot of talk recently in Thailand related forums about possible visa rule changes. What is being said is that airlines and passport control in Thailand are now requiring visitors to have onward tickets out of Thailand to countries other than those immediately surrounding Thailand (Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Singapore). Without an onward ticket some people are claiming that visa’s will not be issued. The initial report for this came from the Thai consulate in Penang as of Feb. 1st, 2008, and follow-up reports are confirming for some, but others are having no problems. Obviously something has changed, but at this point there seems to be no rhyme or reason.
I have taken a look at the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Kingdom of Thailand and here is what I can see:
There is a list of 40 countries whose passport holders are permitted to enter Thailand without a tourist visa for up to 30 days. The list can be found here and includes the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada and other European and Asian countries. Foreigners entering Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category must possess adequate finances for the duration of stay in Thailand (i.e., cash 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family).
Note that the 30 day Tourist Visa Exemption can only be used for a total of 90 days every 6 months. This change was made last year to decrease the number of people staying in Thailand longterm on the Tourist Visa Exemption by making monthly visa runs outside Thailand’s borders.
There is a list of an additional 20 countries who can apply for a 15 day visa upon arrival to Thailand. That list can be found here. This type of visa requires the same financial stipulation and also requires the applicant to present full paid ticket which is usable within 15 days since the date of entry.
So as you can see there is nothing here that indicates visitors from the U.S, England, Australia, etc should need an onward air ticket when coming to Thailand as a tourist. I’m not sure where the confusion lies or what change may have been made. It is obvious that if a change to the visa regulations in Thailand have been made then it has not yet been made public knowledge.
I am continuing to monitor and investigate this situation and will provide updates as I find more information. I will also be putting together a guide for those interested in staying longterm in Thailand. What is required in the way of visa’s and work permits if you want to make Thailand your home for longer than 90 days. Stay tuned.
Popularity: 16% [?]
3 Days in Bangkok - Wats and Temples
February 5, 2008
Recently a reader suggested I do a series of posts with short tourist itineraries for various Thailand locations. I thought that this was a great idea…Thanks Richard…and will now have a new series called “3 Days in…”. Basically it will give you itineraries for short stays in a variety of Thailand destinations. Some will be single posts and some, like Bangkok obviously, will be a series of posts with each one focusing on a single activity. Mix and match as you like.
You’ll see a new category from now on called “3 Days In…” reflecting this change and I suggest you subscribe so you don’t miss any of these information filled posts or at the very least visit often to check out this new category. Let’s start now with 3 Days in Bangkok - Wats and Temples.
Bangkok is home to hundreds of Wats or temples some as large as the Wat Phra Chetuphon or Wat Pho which is the largest and oldest of Bangkoks temples and some as small as a corner shop, tucked away in small side soi’s. If you’re interested in the temples of Thailand you can easily spend 3 days taking in all of the rich and beautiful temples in Bangkok.
Before you head out for your three day Thai temple tour please remember the following:
Thai temples are sacred places and you should dress and behave accordingly. Do not come to the temple in shorts, sleeveless shirts or other revealing clothing. Think of it the same way as if you were visiting a church in the west and use your best judgment.
Also for you ladies…Monks are not permitted to touch or be touched by women. So if you want to give something to a monk you can either hand it to a male to give to them or you can place a cloth on the ground and then place the item on the cloth for the monk to pick up.
Day 1: Hopefully you’ve chosen a hotel in Chinatown as that will put you closest to the major temples in Bangkok. Most of the hotels include a breakfast buffet with your stay so fill up before you head out so you’ll have plenty of energy for the day. The Shanghai Inn is a nice boutique hotel choice in the area or check out the Grand China Princess Hotel which has great service and reasonable prices too.
Once you’ve fueled up head outside and grab a taxi to Wat Phra Chetuphon or Wat Pho. I’m making this the first stop because in addition to the temple the Wat also features the oldest and possibly the best massage school in Thailand. A massage is always a good choice when you first arrive in Bangkok to shake off the jet lag. Wat Pho is very impressive with gold everywhere and huge colorful spires that you’ll find under closer inspection are covered with thousands of small pieces of colored glass. Thanks to a recent remodel everything inside Wat Pho is in excellent shape. The reclining Buddha is the largest of it’s kind and is completely covered in gold leaf. So impressive! In addition, the feet of the statue are layered with mother of pearl showing amazingly detailed murals.
Take your time looking around the grounds of the Wat and then head to the backyard area of the Wat where you’ll find the massage school. The massages are 120 baht for a ½ hour and 200 baht for an hour which may be a bit expensive for Thailand, but still not expensive at all by western standards. And it’s a great way to both invigorate and relax at the same time! Total time for Wat Pho = 2 - 2 1/2 hours
From Wat Pho you can head out to the main road of Thanon Sanam Chai and turn left towards the Grand Palace. Once you get close to the Grand Palace you’ll see loads of little shops and restaurants across the road. Take some time to browse and get a snack if you’re hungry, I recommend the roti which are like crepes and they are delicious! It shouldn’t be too hard for you to find a street vendor making them.
Next you’ll head off to the Grand Palace and the National Museum which will be a good place to spend part of the afternoon since it is air conditioned! The Grand Palace is open until 3:30pm and you’ll be here for the rest of the afternoon as it takes about 3 hours to see the Grand Palace and National Museum together. Did you take my advice to have some roti?
The Grand Palace encompasses several acres and contains many buildings. It is located next to the Chao Praya River and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Bangkok. It is easily characterized by its gleaming golden temples, hundreds of spires, and brightly colored tile roofs - most of which are a prominent orange color. Tickets to enter are 200 baht and you will be inspected for proper attire before being allowed to enter. At the main gate you’ll find brochures available in several languages. This brochure provides a map inside and also describes in detail the history of the buildings and the palace.
Some of the highlights of the Royal Palace include the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Royal Throne Hall (Chakri Maha Prasat) and Coronation Room. There are also some very cool weapons museum rooms to see before leaving the Grand Palace and going into the National Museum.
It’s likely been a very busy and tiring day, so head back to your hotel for a nap or a refreshing dip in the pool and get ready for the night. If you’ve got the energy head out to Khao San Road for dinner and some drinks. Keep in mind you’ll be up early the next morning though.
Day 2: Day 2 will start out close to home base in Chinatown at Wat Saket or the Golden Mount. It is easily recognized in Banglampoo by the golden spire of the chedi and also by the fact that it rises some 80 meters above the city. During late October/early November there is a temple fair here with a carnival atmosphere erupting around the temple. The Wat has great views of the surrounding city. Time to visit is just 30 minutes.
Next we’ll jump in a taxi to Wat Benchamabophit or the Marble Temple. It is a bit out of the way, but is one of the more beautiful of the Wats in Bangkok. It is not a traditional Wat as it was built in the late 19th century and is made entirely of marble (hence the name), but it is not to be missed. There is a huge collection of Buddha statues and both the Wat and the grounds surrounding it are wonderful. Don’t forget your camera! Time to visit 60-90 minutes, but plan on an additional 60 minutes travel time.
Take a break for lunch. The Thai restaurant Saewana is nearby. Dishes are around the THB50-100 mark, and include favorites such as Pla Kung (spicy shrimp salad) and Tom Kha Gai (chicken and coconut soup). 348/3 Soi Rachawithee 34, Rachawithee Road
You may want to head back to your hotel at this point to rest and freshen up. Bangkok is really no fun in the heat of the afternoon and a nap and shower or a swim is always a good choice.
After resting it’s time to go to Wat Arun which is the Temple of the Dawn, but is actually just as nice and much less crowded at sunset. The Wat closes at 5:30 so you should leave your hotel earlier enough to get there and have 30-45 minutes to explore.
From there it’s off to something a bit different. Go see the show Siam Niramit, it’s a huge spectacle type show with over 150 performers, special effects and costumes that is sure to amaze you. The show starts at 8:00pm and there are a variety of restaurants on the grounds so you can get something to eat before the show. It is recommended that you book tickets at least 5 business days before the show so go online and book your tickets here before you leave for Bangkok.
Day 3: Now that you’ve seen the “must see” temples take some time to visit some of the smaller and less well known, but no less beautiful temples of Bangkok. Since this post has now gone over 1500 words I am not going to highlight them myself, but direct you instead to this page which contains descriptions of 10 lesser known Thai wats, all in the old town or Rattanakosin area of Bangkok.
One suggestion I will make is that if you go to visit Wat Chanasongkhram in Banglampoo you should stop at the Indian Spice restaurant for lunch or dinner. It is located in the small soi located behind the Wat and the food here is outstanding. Golf and I eat here at least once every time we’re in Bangkok. If you’re interested in tandoori get there early as they only make so much and it sells out quickly.
So there you have it. 3 days of wats in Bangkok. Needless to say there are many more temples not just in Bangkok, but throughout Thailand for you to visit. I’ve read estimates as high as 31,200 wats in Thailand. If you’re interested in learning more about the wats of Thailand this site http://www.chimburi.com/ has pictures and descriptions of 769 different temples in Thailand.
See other stops on the 3 Days in… Series
Popularity: 31% [?]
