This is My Thailand

Ever since my first trip to Thailand in 1968 I’ve always had a heart for the people of Thailand. I have found them to be friendly and extremely forgiving while I began learning the customs and courtesies of these wonderful people.

I’ve been back a number of times. Sometimes it’s just with the family; other times it’s with others who themselves have not been back for quite some time. Each time I make new friends, locate old acquaintances and explore Thailand my way.

I’ve been able to travel north to the city of Chiang Mai where we wander through the Hmong village looking for souvenirs. I’ve walked across the River Kwai on the railroad bridge at Kanchanaburi, just north of Bangkok.

I’ve stood at the banks of the Mekong River, with a clear view of nearby Laos.

I’ve driven along the Mekong River from Nong Khai to Mukdahan, following the flow of the river. I’ve driven through the town of Surin stopping less than 40 kilometers from the Cambodian border. I’ve walked through the Se Si Ket Zoo taking pictures of the animals, before moving on to Ubon to visit old friends. Of all the places I’ve traveled to, I always go back to the city of Khon Kaen where the people are always friendly and extremely accommodating to requests from this farang (foreigner).

The Thai people are very good at just about everything. They labor on very tedious and time consuming projects from creating umbrellas and fans for tourists, to firework displays that are dazzling to the eye.

The food they prepare is good, spicy and always fresh.

Start a day out with fried bread dough (Potango) and hot Thai coffee and end the day with a tall glass of Thai Ice coffee (Oleang), each is created with the customer in mind. It will simply make your day.

The country is full of contrasts. It is a blend of the old and the new. People up to their waists in water, and farmers on Japanese made farm tractors working the rice fields. There are various modes of transportation co-existing side by side.

Take the basic cart.

It is generally pushed or pulled to accommodate various goods going to market or home. Then there is the bicycle. It is used as basic transportation, and can be modified to suit the needs of the owner. Passengers are carried around in a 3 wheeled version called the Samlar. Sometimes it is adapted for the handicapped, allowing persons without legs to activate a hand lever to power the cycle.

There is the motorcycle. It’s adaptable from simple passenger transport, to cooking platforms, and transporting goods on a connected platform. There are small scooters, to basic motorcycles of probably 100cc, and even sport bikes that can go faster than traffic is allowed.

The Tuk Tuk

Next you find the basic taxi. It can be a 3 wheeled scooter with room for the driver and a single bench seat for 2 or 3 passengers. This is called a Tuk Tuk, because of the noise made by its 500cc diesel engine. Then there is the taxi that is a car, similar to those used around the world. Others are either pickup trucks or buses that can hold from 10 to 60 people. These are generally from makes and models that range from antique to modern. Air-conditioned mini vans with refrigerators and televisions take travelers all over Thailand.

Larger vehicles are generally buses that make stops along a prescribed route between cities. Some are extremely slow movers, with people, crates and even livestock or poultry inside and on top of the vehicle. Others are VIP buses that are air conditioned, make few stops and take the traveler in relative comfort to distant destinations. And there are many pickup trucks and passenger cars all traveling all over the country.

Overhead one often hears the sound of aircraft and helicopters moving from one airport or city to another. Traveling on Thai Airways is an experience onto it's self. The hot towel, the meal and drink (at no extra cost) even on the short 45 minute flight from Bangkok to just about every major city in Thailand.

Road surfaces have greatly improved during the past 40 years I’ve been going back. Where there were red dirt road surfaces, one will find 6 lane super highways to most major cities. There are 3 friendship bridges connecting Thailand to its neighbor Myanmar (to the west) and Laos (to the north and east). There is a highway from Bangkok going into Cambodia (to the southeast).

One area of Thailand that I’ve never been to is the extreme southern area around Phuket. This is where many of the exotic beach resorts are located. It is also where the Suname came ashore and reeked havouc and destroyed many small towns and villages.

Walk through the market in a small town or village. It’s always the same smell of fresh vegetables and raw meat. The signs, sounds and smells of Thailand will tantalize your senses. The people will bring you back.

It’s been said that the difference between sightseeing as a tourist and connecting with the people of Thailand has to do with getting out and exploring your surroundings. Meet someone, have a meal with them. Get to know them and let them get to know you. It will warm your heart and bless your soul.

Thailand the Land of Smiles

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Joe Wilson - 2009