Bangkok/Thailand Myths

[iriejay]

Before you ever travelled to Thailand you probably had some image in your head of what the place and people would look like and how things would be when you arrived. Some of those images may have proven to be close to reality while others were not. What were some things that you had heard or envisioned prior to leaving which turned out to be completely false?

For me it was the rice. One thing I always liked in the US was the rice in Thai restaurants. So I thought going to Thailand would be great because I would get that fine tasting rice on my plate all the time. This turned out to be a big disappointment because what I found was that most of the "regular" restaurants just served the very low quality stuff and the fragrant good grained rice could only be found in the market (buy cook it yourself) or in expensive restaurants. What I should have thought about before hand was that Thailand exports most of the good quality rice and consumes the cheaper quality stuff-- simple economics really

And for our Thai friends who have travelled abroad, what images did you have about farangland? Were those images accurate when you actually went there? Were the people in England a bunch of violent drunks like you see on Khao San Road and on the islands? Was America the land of a million tall and handsome movie stars?

[zeusbheld]

I am here for the temples

temples??? there are temples???

my stars and garters! i may stay a while then! joy!

[eagle]

oh wellllllll

i know i have to be open with farangs opinions

but dont u see how come thailand is still standing

we send great quality rice to abroad

it is very very important export product namely Jasmin (which some "big "countries try to coppy and fake the name but they )

where we can find the greatest one left in our country?

but anyway

i never saw Thais (and farangs) complain about how "bad" quality the rice in thailand is

perhaps we dont think its bad and we satisfy it

my grand parents have a big fram and big rice fields

so i can tell tell how hard farming is, it would not get you rich professionally even though everyone eats rice here, there are so many snags are awaiting

and if u learn Thai more

u will know most of family and school teach the kids to be appriciat the rice worth and be thankful with the rice farmers ( we even have the songs for this in primary schools)

by the way i have tried the rich which would be exported to abroad

yeah its nice, softer, smell better, but come on!

like Mr.2Unique said...Thailand is chraming because of lots of things

u wouldnt stop yourself because of the rice, right?!

I have yet to be in Thailand or asia but I was told sticky rice is prefered to the loose rice usually served in the western world. I guess I will see for myself.......

[Kayle]

That is because we trade ton of decent quality rice for an ipod.

[WiCKeDBiRD]

... I do like Jap rice ....

[iriejay]

Does anybody actually read the post before they make a comment on it??

I don't know if it is worthwhile to spend the time going through every sentence to point out that you are missing my point completely.

oh wellllllll

i know i have to be open with farangs opinions

but dont u see how come thailand is still standingl

we send great quality rice to abroad

it is very very important export product namely Jasmin (which some "big "countries try to coppy and fake the name but they )

where we can find the greatest one left in our country?

but anyway

i never saw Thais (and farangs) complain about how "bad" quality the rice in thailand is

perhaps we dont think its bad and we satisfy it

my grand parents have a big fram and big rice fields

so i can tell tell how hard farming is, it would not get you rich professionally even though everyone eats rice here, there are so many snags are awaiting

and if u learn Thai more

u will know most of family and school teach the kids to be appriciat the rice worth and be thankful with the rice farmers ( we even have the songs for this in primary schools)

by the way i have tried the rich which would be exported to abroad

yeah its nice, softer, smell better, but come on!

like Mr.2Unique said...Thailand is chraming because of lots of things

u wouldnt stop yourself because of the rice, right?!

[iriejay]

If there is one thing I "think" I may have learned from (life) and especially in dealing with any sort of conflictual subject matter with a Thai woman is that your best defense is to reply, " Yes honey, you are right, I don't know what I was thinking. I'm sorry. I love you." No matter how right you are your best result will not be to argue anything but to repeat my above statement.

Certainly applicable to women in general, but I have found that Thai women have a much lower threshold for any sort of criticism. Try yourself and find out.

I'm sure the replies will not be in favor of my opinion but that is ok. I still love you.

[eagle]

If there is one thing I "think" I may have learned from (life) and especially in dealing with any sort of conflictual subject matter with a Thai woman is that your best defense is to reply, " Yes honey, you are right, I don't know what I was thinking. I'm sorry. I love you." No matter how right you are your best result will not be to argue anything but to repeat my above statement.

Certainly applicable to women in general, but I have found that Thai women have a much lower threshold for any sort of criticism. Try yourself and find out.

I'm sure the replies will not be in favor of my opinion but that is ok. I still love you.

First you accuse no one of reading your thread heading and missing the point then you miss it yourself or did you forget to tell us the myth you were refering too :roll:

[iriejay]

Someone needs to put the crackpipe away for a minute--

Perhaps it is not a myth by Webster's definition -- I was just saying that I thought I would be eating the fine grade rice all the time because it is what I always got in Thai restaurants but then when I got to Thailand I rarely had the chance to eat it.

The post was then construed as a being a defamation against Thai farmers by some poster. My post clearly stated that the reason for this was economics. I only stated that their are different grades of Thai rice. Pointing out that was is a lower grade than another has nothing to do with the farmers ability to farm.

If there is one thing I "think" I may have learned from (life) and especially in dealing with any sort of conflictual subject matter with a Thai woman is that your best defense is to reply, " Yes honey, you are right, I don't know what I was thinking. I'm sorry. I love you." No matter how right you are your best result will not be to argue anything but to repeat my above statement.

Certainly applicable to women in general, but I have found that Thai women have a much lower threshold for any sort of criticism. Try yourself and find out.

I'm sure the replies will not be in favor of my opinion but that is ok. I still love you.

First you accuse no one of reading your thread heading and missing the point then you miss it yourself or did you forget to tell us the myth you were refering too :roll:

[eagle]

Someone needs to put the crackpipe away for a minute--

Perhaps it is not a myth by Webster's definition -- I was just saying that I thought I would be eating the fine grade rice all the time because it is what I always got in Thai restaurants but then when I got to Thailand I rarely had the chance to eat it.

The post was then construed as a being a defamation against Thai farmers by some poster. My post clearly stated that the reason for this was economics. I only stated that their are different grades of Thai rice. Pointing out that was is a lower grade than another has nothing to do with the farmers ability to farm.

If there is one thing I "think" I may have learned from (life) and especially in dealing with any sort of conflictual subject matter with a Thai woman is that your best defense is to reply, " Yes honey, you are right, I don't know what I was thinking. I'm sorry. I love you." No matter how right you are your best result will not be to argue anything but to repeat my above statement.

Certainly applicable to women in general, but I have found that Thai women have a much lower threshold for any sort of criticism. Try yourself and find out.

I'm sure the replies will not be in favor of my opinion but that is ok. I still love you.

First you accuse no one of reading your thread heading and missing the point then you miss it yourself or did you forget to tell us the myth you were refering too :roll:

So I'm a crack head huh, You don't know sh*t about me or Thai women but make alot of assumptions. Go ahead keep talkin. :roll:

[The Punisher]

I think it would be more correct to say that Thai women generally are less receptive to DIRECT conflict/ctiticism... but Thai culture in general frowns upon such behaviour.

Having said that, it is still quite possible to do the above, but it must be done in a less confrontational and less direct manner. It is still quite possible to achieve your desired results by following this approach. It just requires the time and patience to learn. as well as acceptance of the fact that there are ways to do things other than the western way.

If there is one thing I "think" I may have learned from (life) and especially in dealing with any sort of conflictual subject matter with a Thai woman is that your best defense is to reply, " Yes honey, you are right, I don't know what I was thinking. I'm sorry. I love you." No matter how right you are your best result will not be to argue anything but to repeat my above statement.

Certainly applicable to women in general, but I have found that Thai women have a much lower threshold for any sort of criticism. Try yourself and find out.

I'm sure the replies will not be in favor of my opinion but that is ok. I still love you.

[Loburt]

Thailand grows lots and lots of things, and manufactures many many things, that it copied from other countries, some of them "big."

You like those strawberries from Chiang Mai? Strawberries are not native to Thailand. I don't hear other countries whining 'you stole our strawberries.'

Although they are whining about all the ripped off movies, music, clothing and computer software.

[eagle]

Thailand grows lots and lots of things, and manufactures many many things, that it copied from other countries, some of them "big."

You like those strawberries from Chiang Mai? Strawberries are not native to Thailand. I don't hear other countries whining 'you stole our strawberries.'

Although they are whining about all the ripped off movies, music, clothing and computer software.

growing a crop is one thing but cloning whole grains and patenting them is a nasty trend. Whenever man messes with nature we all have to deal with the results down the road :twisted:

[WiCKeDBiRD]

oh wellllllll

i know i have to be open with farangs opinions

but dont u see how come thailand is still standing

we send great quality rice to abroad

it is very very important export product namely Jasmin (which some "big "countries try to coppy and fake the name but they )

where we can find the greatest one left in our country?

but anyway

i never saw Thais (and farangs) complain about how "bad" quality the rice in thailand is

Other countries may copy Thai Jasmin rice ....but Thailand in itself copies and exports Japanese round grain rice(imho the tastiest rice ).tut tut :wink:

.. I do love Jap Rice .... maak maak

[DJTX]

So, is anyone going to post a myth here :?: :shock:

OK, here's one. The internet works great in Thailand :!: :twisted: :roll:

No, wait. Nobody ever said it did. Guess that isn't a myth either

[eagle]

i agree with Mr.Viggop that somebody is sensitive today

some of us have discused this kind of thing in the link

which belongs to P' Wickedbird

i dont go too far to be talking about coppied thing

and i understand some people are disappointed with what they expected from Thailand, and yeah people have the right to complain and share experience about that, we all know no one is perfect

, what i said in previous reply just meant to show how naturally thai people think of the rice and why no one complains about it

i have told the reason that we dont have great grade rice here cause it has beeen sent to CANADA CHINA AUSTRALIA USA etc

and bit complain ( i felt little slight ) that there are so many other things to love (like temples :shock: ) and complain about ,but rice?

maybe its the same case that i felt fish and chip was just the last thing i wanna eat in UK ..ok that is too personally

I have heard nothing but good things about food in Thailand. I have Jasmine rice here and love it. I'm sure the rice is just fine and I'm not coming to Thaland to eat rice anyway :wink:

[eagle]

i agree with Mr.Viggop that somebody is sensitive today

some of us have discused this kind of thing in the link

and i understand some people are disappointed with what they expected from Thailand, and yeah people have the right to complain and share experience about that, we all know no one is perfect

, what i said in previous reply just meant to show how naturally thai people think of the rice and why no one complains about it

i have told the reason that we dont have great grade rice here cause it has beeen sent to CANADA CHINA AUSTRALIA USA etc

and bit complain ( i felt little slight ) that there are so many other things to love (like temples :shock: ) and complain about ,but rice?

maybe its the same case that i felt fish and chip was just the last thing i wanna eat in UK ..ok that is too personally

I have heard nothing but good things about food in Thailand. I have Jasmine rice here and love it. I'm sure the rice is just fine and I'm not coming to Thaland to eat rice anyway :wink:

i know why are u coming here

W O M A N W O M A N W O M A N

oh there there !just kidding ok????

well yes thats one reason. everywhere I go is because of women

[Narmada]

Were the people in England a bunch of violent drunks like you see on Khao San Road and on the islands?

I've met my friends on Christmas.We were talking about this thing cause They are working in London and It really sounds like .....They drink a lot a lot especially on Friday night! Go all together with Colleauges and Drink drink drink ......Who pays? This time you pay,Next time i do ...Next time others do. They said ...They have to pay about 1000 pounds /time :roll: (I thought ,they are about 20 or 30 people) :roll:

No wonder they have no dosh left to buy decent sets of clothes, wear silly hand-me-down football shirts, and stick their heads under lawn-mowers for a haircut!

[thaibel]

Were the people in England a bunch of violent drunks like you see on Khao San Road and on the islands?

I've met my friends on Christmas.We were talking about this thing cause They are working in London and It really sounds like .....They drink a lot a lot especially on Friday night! Go all together with Colleauges and Drink drink drink ......Who pays? This time you pay,Next time i do ...Next time others do. They said ...They have to pay about 1000 pounds /time :roll: (I thought ,they are about 20 or 30 people) :roll:

Loads of English hit the Belgian coast frequently by ferryboats just to smuggle cigarettes and liqor. They use to booze abondant and leave the country, completely drunk, after they ravaged everything on their way . And that's not a myth. :evil:

[Narmada]

Thailand grows lots and lots of things, and manufactures many many things, that it copied from other countries, some of them "big."

You like those strawberries from Chiang Mai? Strawberries are not native to Thailand.

There are countless food items taken for granted today in Thailand which are not native to the country - chillis, papayas, potatoes, guavas, mangosteens, mangoes, rambutans, grapes, just to name a few.

On all accounts, the diet in the old Siam of, say, five hundred or six years ago was pretty bland and boring. Many food items were introduced by the Portuguese, who had brought them from South America.

[Loburt]

Thailand grows lots and lots of things, and manufactures many many things, that it copied from other countries, some of them "big."

You like those strawberries from Chiang Mai? Strawberries are not native to Thailand. I don't hear other countries whining 'you stole our strawberries.'

Although they are whining about all the ripped off movies, music, clothing and computer software.

growing a crop is one thing but cloning whole grains and patenting them is a nasty trend. Whenever man messes with nature we all have to deal with the results down the road :twisted:

Well, you've got two issues there, eagle. Man has always been messing with nature, starting with, what's that guy's name, Mendel? You eat grapefruit? That's a completely man-made fruit invented by cross-breeding oranges and pomelos. Grapefruit hasn't killed you yet, has it? How far we want to go playing with genetics and what the consequences might be, is another story.

But the idea that an American company will be able to patent Thailand's jasmine rice and either prevent Thai farmers from growing it, or charge them a royalty for doing so is...

a prime example of a myth.

And it's a myth that has been used in recent years to stir up anti-foreign sentiment.

A foreign company MAY be able to take Thai jasmine rice, genetically alter it or combine it with something else and patent that.

But they can't patent the strain of rice that is already grown here, claim ownership and then prevent Thais from growing it.

Just not true.

[zeusbheld]

growing a crop is one thing but cloning whole grains and patenting them is a nasty trend. Whenever man messes with nature we all have to deal with the results down the road :twisted:

a little bit off topic but this is one of my pet peeves...

the careful observer will note that genetic tampering with food grains began a long time ago--prehistory really--with the advent of FARMING.

while it's true that humans have to learn to live in a way that doesnt destroy the world around them (if not we may find ourselves on the *extinct* list), it's kind of silly to say man shouldnt mess with nature. man has NEVER been in harmony with nature, and if we were to somehow go back to being hunter gatherers, billions of people would starve and many many more species would be extinct.

equating 'natural' and 'good' is a potentially fatal mistake.