Meanwhile I begin to see a system in this turmoil of people and electric cables everywhere (they haven`t found out yet how to put them under the ground). There are some things that never change like the employees of your favorite massage saloon and the menu of that little cute restaurant around the corner but Thailand is always in movement. Where you bought yesterday those nice shoes at the street market, you get crispy chicken today. I put some things together I learned loving here over the time in a list with 10 points:
1. Food
If you haven’t been to Thailand, you haven’t tasted Thai food; there are no discussions about that. I am absolutely obsessed with this cuisine. Fresh fruits like pineapple, mango, pomelo, pomegranate and guava are the best snack or dessert you can have. The streets are full of food sellers offering the best Thai dishes with fresh ingredients. My favorite is Som Tam, a spicy papaya salad with roasted cashew nuts and optional salted egg. When we order at a restaurant here, we automatically get a weaker version of their herbs and spices because otherwise we would cry over our plates. Yep, also this has happened two or three times. I don’t get it, how can anyone in this world eat so spicy without spitting fire?

2. People

Thai people always smile – that is at least the cliché. It is often right but not always. Like you cannot say that all Germans are punctual and hardworking. Thais often have no idea when you ask them something, particularly when it comes to English. But even when they do not know the answer, they always smile and keep the attitude. I have never seen anyone really arguing or getting angry. Keep calm and be Thai. I do not imagine myself that I will understand Thai culture one day completely but every day I learn a bit more about them. Their fashion taste for instance is just awfully kitschy! In the Skytrain I found all my childhood heroes gathered together. They are imprinted on bags, shoes, shirts, iPhone cases and even jeans: Winnie Poo, Hello Kitty, Angry Birds and the Smurfs. Do not dare to believe these are clothes belonging to children. Nope, adult women in business outfit carrying bags with Hello Kitty in glitter.

3. Prices
The price level in Thailand is compared to other Western countries really low. Currently 1 Euro is equal to 44 Baht. It has been at 39THB once but the political protests at the beginning of the year led to a certain devaluation of the Thai currency. Nutrition, mobility and communication costs are inexpensive. For example a Thai dish like Pad Thai or Tom Kha Gai costs about 60-80THB (1.50-2€).

All lifestyle products with popular labels are as expensive as in all other countries. Nike, Sony, Apple and H&M have not lowered their prices for this country. We use to go to an international supermarket in our part of the town. They offer many European products and most important – bread and muesli. I need my German breakfast as I just cannot start my day with fried rice. These imported articles are very high-priced. One container of Granola muesli costs about 200THB. But I will not complain because we have the choice between the simple life and saving money or lashing out on dairy products.

4. Weather
I have sunny weather every day. Who can say that from his place of residence? I do not constantly have sun all day long but at least once a day the rays touch my face and shoulders. It makes such a huge difference to your body, mind and soul when you live in a country where it is constantly warm to hot.
The heat here is humid and makes you sweat instantly. We adapted the Thai behavior and do every outdoor activity in a slower pace. That saves lot energy. Water is suddenly not a boring beverage but your constant companion. On the islands you have the sea nearby for refreshment, in the city the air condition.
Even if it is too hot sometimes, I would never change with the rainy cloudy and cold weather in Germany which causes too bad thoughts and forces you to stay inside your house all the time.

5. Massage
Did you ever treat yourself a massage? Back in Germany I never did. Nobody can afford a 1 hour massage with hot stones for 100€. Thailand is the massage heaven. I do not want to imagine my life without this wonderful treatment once a week. These women are so good in touching the right spots to ease your tension. In their hands I let myself go because I trust them. They are mostly all educated in a massage school and have a certificate at their wall to proof it. For about 300 THB you get a whole wellness vacation in one hour.


6. Buddhism

What makes the people here so calm and peaceful is their religious belief. Buddhism is the theory the circulation of life. Reincarnation is the main part of this theory. You collect karma throughout your whole life on earth and at the end someone checks your account whether it is more goodness or evil in it. If it is the second, you may end up as a spider or a poor person in your next life. That is the main reason why they always try to be friendly and polite. Deeply rooted in the Thai nation, this religion makes this place worth living in Asia. In every society there are black sheep but overall there is less physical violence than somewhere else.

7. Simplicity
I attended Thai language courses for beginners to get some basic knowledge for small talk. My teacher is a cute smart woman who conjured a smile on every pupils face after a long working day. She used to say “Thai language is simple, just like they think. Sometimes they do not finish their sentences or leave out letters (“lo” for kilo). German is so complicated with all that grammar. Maybe that is why they also think so awkwardly.” This opened up my eyes. It is not like they do not have bureaucracy too but all that pain every person needs to do one time; tax income statements, car purchases and apartment searches, is much simpler than in Europe.



8. Scents
Thailand gives you scents to smell you will never forget. As soon as I go off the plane and touch Thai ground, I can already feel it in the air. The smell is a mixture of spices, herbs, rain, heat and over all a slight note of frangipani. This little bloom grows on trees and they are all over the city. They give a fresh, sweet, almost lemony fragrance, which always touches my heart. Because then I do have so many gorgeous memories in my mind about long evenings at the beach, cocktails, hanging around the pool and overlooking my stunning new hometown.

9. Entertainment and Nightlife
In Thailand you never get bored. There is so much to do, buy, see and eat that you are occupied all day long. Around the center of Bangkok, Siam square, you find three gigantic shopping malls next to each other. In those malls are cinemas, aquariums, ice-skating fields, water fountains and food courts in addition to countless shops and boutiques. Games for cellphones are usual entertainment for Thais in the metro. They are addicted to screens from tiny mobile phone screens up to large advertisement screens. If it does not move, it does not entertain. Nightlife in Bangkok is fantastic! Most clubs are around the Soi 11 at the Sukhumvit. Closing time is officially at 2 am but usually the party goes on in secret clubs which are often at the same time cathouses. In the streets VW buses transform to pubs with a wide range of inexpensive cocktails. What you should definitely not miss when you come here are rooftop bars! Nearly every tall building has one on top. Cocktails at the 25th floor and higher – does it get any better?

10. Mobility
Mobility in Thailand is awesome. You have the agony of choice between taxis, tuk tuks, motorbikes, buses and the train. It costs so much less than in Europe. A taxi from the airport into the city is never more than 400-600THB (10-12€). Be aware that they put on the taximeter – otherwise they tell you a price which seems low at a first glance but this is a delusion. Tuk tuks and taxis are on the same price level. The cheapest method is the motorbike. The cheapest and most dangerous one. I trust the drivers because they drive all day long and can estimate the traffic situations better than me. But if there is traffic jam and they do slalom around the standing cars, I prefer a safer taxi.
The list goes on but it always comes back to these categories. I hope I can stay here as long as I like which may mean forever.
Check out some more Thailand Tours HERE
Sawadee kha!