You may be in Thailand if...

COMMENTARY

Published: 28 Dec 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

This week, Bangkok Post's guest columnist Songkran Grachangnetara wrote about "11 simple ways to tell if you're really Thai", his follow-up piece to "How to Tell Whether You're a Farang".

His articles prompted me to share my own take on a similar subject: how to know if you are in Thailand.

You know you're in Thailand when a cabinet minister is so confident in the security of his cabinet post that he'll tell you to your face that he is "a liar" and will lose no sleep over it.

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Jock
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Discussion 18 : 28 Dec 2012 at 17.5018
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You know your in Thailand when frequently you see motorbikes being driven up the wrong side of the road, or with four people and the dog on it, likewise when on motorways seeing cars, pickups and trucks being driven up on the wrong side of the motorway. First time I experienced the motorway situation I thought I was hallucinating!!
But I do love the Country and the People very much; just need to find the volume control!
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O000o
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Discussion 17 : 28 Dec 2012 at 17.4417
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Well, all true, but I'm really expecting the Thai society to some day start asking itself how itwants to develop and where wants to go. So far corruption, dis-function, lack of respect for others, and an absolute mental set of denial is defining Thai society. Land of smiles is superficial and consumist, it has no clear horizon and is missing a big importunity to debate about reality not just stupid colors while some get veeery rich and other veeery poor and ignorant.Those articles are fun but what more?
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bangmodken
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Discussion 16 : 28 Dec 2012 at 17.2116
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I have to agree with Khun OldAirMan,D12. Despite many obvious flaws,Thailand is my number one. There's no place quite like it. Indonesia and Malaysia shares a second place IMHO.
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elvis
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Discussion 15 : 28 Dec 2012 at 16.1615
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Let's put it this way. Thailand is still, with all its shortcomings, one of the best places to live in the world. Just like all the other places, with all their shortcomings, are one of the best places to live in the world.

But I heard that Liechtenstein really tops. That place is awesome. If you're a professional stamp collector.
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moody
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Discussion 14 : 28 Dec 2012 at 12.5514
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Both articles from Songkran and Ploenpote are spot on. As a Thai, I sincerely wish that these shortcomings can be fixed because there is simply nothing to be proud of. Give Thailand a chance to develop.
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Eric
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Discussion 13 : 28 Dec 2012 at 11.1313
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Cheer up Ploydonut. Most of the things that have been said in the article can be said in Indonesia, Phillipines or even Malaysia. Happy New Year to all.
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oldairman
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Discussion 12 : 28 Dec 2012 at 11.0212
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Speaking for myself I think it IS the best place in the world. Having lived and worked in 38 countries over a 50 year working life ranging from inside the Arctic circle to the North Island of New Zealand via South America, USA, South Africa, the Arab Gulf, the Indian subcontinent excluding India al ot of Asia but not China I certainly haven't found anywhere much better. Some countries are better for some things and others for different things but overall Thailand comes out top for me anyway.
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jwatch
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Discussion 11 : 28 Dec 2012 at 10.3211
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actually..this is a good list of things that should be fixed to make Thailand an even BETTER PLACE!
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jck
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Discussion 10 : 28 Dec 2012 at 10.1910
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So very true! You also know you are in Thailand when you have just passed a police poster saying 100% safety helmet rule will be enforced and you soon see a policeman on a motorbike with only a soft cap on his head.
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JoelBayan
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Discussion 9 : 28 Dec 2012 at 09.299
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You know your in Thailand if skin whitening cream is %300 the cost than in the USA!
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You may be in Thailand if... | Bangkok Post: opinion