Things are different

[FarangFarang]

As I'm starting to settle in back home I've started to notice subtle differences between Thailand and the US. Here's one:

Because I live in LA which is/was a desert there's very little humidity in the air. When I drink a beer I don't end up with as much condensation on the outside of the bottle as there is beer in the bottle.

What else is different?

[Solomon_Goode]

In Orlando it's the opposite and there is more condensation on bottles than in Thailand. I did notice the same amount of Mickey Mouse paraphernalia in Orlando and Thailand. Lol

[FarangFarang]

When going through the airport when you step onto a moving walkway, in Thailand everybody stands still and waits for the walkway and everywhere else they walk down the moving walkway to get to where they're going faster.

[SKYWARRIOR]

Public transportation, street food, continous rain, abundant pool tables, smiling pretty woman, and the "big city touch", all absent for the most part here in LA. The dry, semi arid weather is perhaps the biggest draw here for everyone. And its been an unusually cool summer so far. Hope your enjoying your relocation as best you can!! If that awful four letter word "work" didnt get in the way, you could have relocated in paradise, So Cal style!! LOL

[FarangFarang]

Another thing I've noticed is that in Thailand cash is king. Doesn't matter how much something is, you're expected to pay in cash. Doesn't matter if it's 20,000, 50,000 or even 100,000 baht. You get the stink eye if you pull out a credit or debit card. I think part of it is the fees they get charged which big merchants don't like because they can't pass it along and the smaller merchants pass along the processing fee but have to claim the income.

On the other hand, banking almost seems ancient here. In Thailand you can pay bills, transfer money to people, etc, etc all with your ATM card. Nothing like that here. The ATM is for depositing or withdrawing money only.

[funky_house]

In Thailand you can pay bills, transfer money to people, etc, etc all with your ATM card. Really?

I never knew that.

[English_Bob]

In Thailand you can pay bills, transfer money to people, etc, etc all with your ATM card. Really?

I never knew that.

Not just that... A friend of mine transfers money and pays bills using her mobile phone text service.

[Chang Doe]

Due to high air humidity shaving with a razor blade is so easy in Thailand. In Germany it's kinda ceremony with foaming, waiting till hairs are softened (meanwhile brush teeth), then maybe foam again, then shave. In TH you can just put some soap and then quickly rasp the stuff away with your old bowie knife. More or less...

[FarangFarang]

In Thailand you can pay bills, transfer money to people, etc, etc all with your ATM card. Really?

I never knew that.

What makes it even nicer is that everything is instantaneous. Let's say I have an account at Bangkok Bank and I owe you 1000 baht. Your bank is SCB and you tell me your account number. I tell the ATM that I want to make a payment to another Thai bank account and I type in your account info and the money is in your account and ready to access immediately.

For a bonus, the bank will send you an SMS as soon as the transaction has cleared so you know the money has been deposited. This comes in handy for paying rent or other bills. You pay and the landlord gets a notice at the same time.

Even the biggest banks in the US tend to operate on the overnight rule. If I make a transaction today it won't be reflected in my account until the next day when the banks reset balances. Of course, if you're taking money out your side is debited immediately but there always seems to be a 12 - 24 hour delay before any crediting happens. This even happens sometimes when you transfer between your own accounts at the same bank.

[funky_house]

What makes it even nicer is that everything is instantaneous. Let's say I have an account at Bangkok Bank and I owe you 1000 baht. Your bank is SCB and you tell me your account number. I tell the ATM that I want to make a payment to another Thai bank account and I type in your account info and the money is in your account and ready to access immediately.

For a bonus, the bank will send you an SMS as soon as the transaction has cleared so you know the money has been deposited. This comes in handy for paying rent or other bills. You pay and the landlord gets a notice at the same time.

Even the biggest banks in the US tend to operate on the overnight rule. If I make a transaction today it won't be reflected in my account until the next day when the banks reset balances. Of course, if you're taking money out your side is debited immediately but there always seems to be a 12 - 24 hour delay before any crediting happens. This even happens sometimes when you transfer between your own accounts at the same bank.

In the UK its three working days. Several times I have been caught out paying my credit card monthly bill with "CASH" on a Friday, and still been hit with late payment charges.

[FarangFarang]

In the UK its three working days. Several times I have been caught out paying my credit card monthly bill with "CASH" on a Friday, and still been hit with late payment charges.

Well, the other downside of Thailand is that they don't seem to understand checks. Like I said, it's a cash society. I took a tax return check issued from the Bank of Malta, the federal government of Malta, and they told me I couldn't access the funds for 45 days.

The funny part is that I handed it to the guy and after 3 or 4 managers coming over to get involved and finally "approve" me depositing the money into my account the guy asks me if the check is in dollars. "No, it's Euros! See the little Euro sign and where it says Euros on the check?"

But, pay my cable bill? Pay my mobile phone bill? Easy as pie at the ATM or online (or even 7-11).

[Admin_2]

Well, the other downside of Thailand is that they don't seem to understand checks. Like I said, it's a cash society. I took a tax return check issued from the Bank of Malta, the federal government of Malta, and they told me I couldn't access the funds for 45 days.

The funny part is that I handed it to the guy and after 3 or 4 managers coming over to get involved and finally "approve" me depositing the money into my account the guy asks me if the check is in dollars. "No, it's Euros! See the little Euro sign and where it says Euros on the check?"

But, pay my cable bill? Pay my mobile phone bill? Easy as pie at the ATM or online (or even 7-11).

We've talked a bit about this, and I at least want to start a thread about repatriation, or it might be an entire blog. I searched on the internet about Thai/Western repatriation stories and couldn't find anything.

It made me so happy to have things actually *work* when I went back to the states...and it was nice to chat with smart people who weren't amazed at my English or Spanish skills (to a point). They just wanted to hear what I had to say instead of saying, "OMG, YOU SPEAK SPANISH!!" every fucking time.

I'm just worried that once I get there, I won't have the time to start what I think a lot of expats want to hear about. Though there is a lot of things I hate about the west in general, there is a lot I really miss about how things *move* in the states. People think fast and things are efficient there.

[FarangFarang]

We've talked a bit about this, and I at least want to start a thread about repatriation, or it might be an entire blog. I searched on the internet about Thai/Western repatriation stories and couldn't find anything.

It made me so happy to have things actually *work* when I went back to the states...and it was nice to chat with smart people who weren't amazed at my English or Spanish skills (to a point). They just wanted to hear what I had to say instead of saying, "OMG, YOU SPEAK SPANISH!!" every fucking time.

I'm just worried that once I get there, I won't have the time to start what I think a lot of expats want to hear about. Though there is a lot of things I hate about the west in general, there is a lot I really miss about how things *move* in the states. People think fast and things are efficient there.

I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing but back home it's far less appropriate to start off a sentence with "So last night a midget, a hooker, and a transvestite walk into a bar . . . "

Everybody leads more "normal" lives here. Like you said, part of "chat with smart people" thing comes along with the fact that they probably have no context in which to compartmentalize your years in Thailand. By that I mean, the two black eyes story (sorry folks, if you haven't heard this one) is so totally foreign to most people that you can't really tell that same story and get the same reaction as you do from a Bangkok expat.

Part of it is American. I'm working with an Aussie guy who used to be on my team back in Gibraltar. He's pulling his hair out over the lack of pubs here. Outside of the US there's a pub culture. In the US you're an alcoholic if you're out on a Tuesday night shooting pool in a bar. I'm not saying it's right or it's wrong. It just is.

[JanisK]

I was just home in Sweden for three short weeks, the first time in about 2.5 years. It was really nice to be home and experience a nice, Swedish summer again with almost 24/7 daylight, shops full of goodies, things that actually work, like electricity, and that you can, mostly, rely on what people tell you; they don't just say what they think you want to hear.

And then again, it was a bit... dull is the word I think. I missed the life in Thailand, how the street is an extension to the living room, how easy it is, and so incredibly cheap, to get something to eat almost at all hours of the day, even small Mae Hong Son. I also like the quiet life I live here, far from the rat race and shop-til-you-drop mentality. Unfortunately I think that that particular evil is growing more and more here, but I have been able to hide away from it here in the north.

OK, some things here really drive me up the wall, but then again, so does things back home. All in all, this is where I want to stay as long as I can, and the day I get fed up, well, then I can head back home again and be bored there

[wannita]

Aww. i miss Six Flags Magic Mountain!!

[FarangFarang]

Aww. i miss Six Flags Magic Mountain!!

LOL. I'm not too far away from Magic Mountain. :-)

[English_Bob]

I don't really miss anything from home.

Last week a guy came in with some Monster Munch and a Terry's Chocolate Orange. It was nice and nostalgic, but not really a big deal.

I was back in UK a few years ago and needed to buy a scarf for a friend - but in Summer, they were pretty hard to find. But in the department stores, the assistants actually assisted and said things like, 'I think Selfridges have some on the third floor, or you could try Top Girl in the high street.' That was a treat.

But I never liked the British Police - very lazy and unconcerned about victims of crime, but keen on nabbing speeders. I hated the weather. I can get beers and food in Bangkok. I hated British teenagers (last time I was home I ended up giving one a thick ear for swearing at me in a sporting goods shop).

I liked gardening and DIY, but I can't say I miss it.

These days are the happiest of my life. I hit Thailand running with a big smile on my face and I still feel the same way...

[FarangFarang]

I don't really miss anything from home.

Last week a guy came in with some Monster Munch and a Terry's Chocolate Orange. It was nice and nostalgic, but not really a big deal.

I was back in UK a few years ago and needed to buy a scarf for a friend - but in Summer, they were pretty hard to find. But in the department stores, the assistants actually assisted and said things like, 'I think Selfridges have some on the third floor, or you could try Top Girl in the high street.' That was a treat.

But I never liked the British Police - very lazy and unconcerned about victims of crime, but keen on nabbing speeders. I hated the weather. I can get beers and food in Bangkok. I hated British teenagers (last time I was home I ended up giving one a thick ear for swearing at me in a sporting goods shop).

I liked gardening and DIY, but I can't say I miss it.

These days are the happiest of my life. I hit Thailand running with a big smile on my face and I still feel the same way...

Well, I guess it's not a question of which is better. Just noting differences.

Like you mention, I actually really enjoy that you can get assistance. Because even if something isn't working correctly people are quick to assist you in getting it right. If you're looking for a scarf and they don't have them they'll recommend other shops/stores where you might find what you're looking for. They don't tell you that scarfs don't exist and try to sell you a jacket. :-)

But do I love everything back here? No. Thailand has a lot of positives going for it as well. But I'm not sure I totally agree with you on which points.

I try to have as little to do with police of any nationality as humanly possible. I don't know enough about LA or British police but I find it funny that you say that they're "lazy and unconcerned about victims of crime" because I find it hard to believe that you think that they are any more lazy or unconcerned than Thai cops. So, you may dislike them but why you dislike them isn't because Thailand has something better. :-)

I'll always miss Thailand and I'm sure I'll be back living there at some point. But there are differences, positive and negative, between here and there.

[FarangFarang]

One thing I'm happy about in LA vs. Bangkok is smart traffic lights. Okay, I didn't drive in BKK but I have been stuck in enough traffic to know that traffic could be eased considerably by switching to smart lights.

For instance, if it's midnight and I'm driving down a major street and the light is red ahead of me, the system detects my car approaching an intersection and changes the light to green if there's no traffic. Or, if you are waiting in a turn lane the light will usually stay green long enough for all cars to turn.

Now compare that to Bangkok. You sit at Asok and Sukhumvit for 190 seconds whether or not there are any other cars. Then the light changes and you get 190 seconds of green. Then 190 seconds of red again.

[YankeeKid]

As I sit here in SoCal reading this, I have the patio door wide open catching a wonderful, fresh, cool Pacific breeze. I can't do that on the other side of the big pond.

[TimmyTwo]

...Now compare that to Bangkok. You sit at Asok and Sukhumvit for 190 seconds whether or not there are any other cars. Then the light changes and you get 190 seconds of green. Then 190 seconds of red again.

The traffic lights in the UK don't give you any idea of how long you're going to be waiting, so I like how they work here in Bangkok.

Speaking of traffic... one thing that's amazing here is the absence of road rage. They drive like lunatics, tail gate, cut each up, rarely give room etc, but they don't get mad or show any signs of stress. Whereas back home drivers curse and give each other the middle finger for even the most minor indiscretion.

[Flipamerican]

You sit at Asok and Sukhumvit for 190 seconds whether or not there are any other cars. Then the light changes and you get 190 seconds of green. Then 190 seconds of red again.

I drive every where in BKK and I rarely obey any traffic laws now. I just follow what the Thai are doing. If it's a red light and no one is around most Thai just go and now so do I. I love driving in Thailand. You don't have to worry about points on your license or going to some stupid driving course if you get caught to keep the points off and your insurance premium from going up. Just a few hundred baht for the friendly traffic cop and your on your way. No rules...just right.

[FarangFarang]

The traffic lights in the UK don't give you any idea of how long you're going to be waiting, so I like how they work here in Bangkok.

Speaking of traffic... one thing that's amazing here is the absence of road rage. They drive like lunatics, tail gate, cut each up, rarely give room etc, but they don't get mad or show any signs of stress. Whereas back home drivers curse and give each other the middle finger for even the most minor indiscretion.

I do like the timers however I would prefer that the lights changed based on actual traffic conditions rather than some pre-set time interval.

I think part of the difference in driving styles comes down to expectations. When you see someone stand in front of the doors on the tube and block people coming off the train, there's a good 80%+ chance someone, even a little old lady, will call you a wanker for blocking the doors. In Thailand people do it all the time and nobody says anything.

In other words, we get more aggressive because we feel it's part of our job to make other people follow the rules. In Thailand they don't feel that same burden or feel it with to the same degree that we've been brought up to. So if someone cuts you off, you gotta let that guy know he's a fucking asshole so he doesn't do it again. In Thailand there's no feeling that they need to correct the other driver.

At least, that's my hypothesis. :-)

[FarangFarang]

I drive every where in BKK and I rarely obey any traffic laws now. I just follow what the Thai are doing. If it's a red light and no one is around most Thai just go and now so do I. I love driving in Thailand. You don't have to worry about points on your license or going to some stupid driving course if you get caught to keep the points off and your insurance premium from going up. Just a few hundred baht for the friendly traffic cop and your on your way. No rules...just right.

True but is loss of life a good tradeoff for not getting points on your license? SEA has the highest traffic mortality rate in the world at a rate of 116/100,000. The Americas has the lowest at 62/100,000. So for every 186,000 motor deaths in the US Thailand has 81,200 despite having less than a third of the population.

[Flipamerican]

True but is loss of life a good tradeoff for not getting points on your license?

Well, as far as I know, I haven't lost my life yet. I understand the high death rate on the roads here, but from what I read it is mostly from drunks on scooters and other stupid behavior while operating a vehicle. I'm just saying I like that I can get away with (most of the time) a stop-n-go at a red light when there is no one around like in the situation you described above...things like that.

I do all my stupid driving on the race track where I can only hurt myself.

How's SoCal treating you so far?