Thailand: The Land of Smiles and Sensory Overload

 

Image by Dean Moriarty from Pixabay

Thailand is truly the "Land of Smiles".  A smile seems to be a continuous part of life in Thailand.  

The Thai outgoing friendliness / happiness rubs off .. you will find yourself greeting others with a polite smile after a few days.

 

Thailand is exotic & exciting + as expensive or as cheap as you choose to make it.

Visiting Thailand is an exciting mixture of unique cultural experience, undreamed visual images and exotic tropical recreation .. combining to form lasting vivid memories!

"Siam" is the name by which the country was know to the world until 1939 and again between 1945 and 1949.

On May 11, 1949, an official proclamation changed the name of the country to "Prathet Thai", or "Thailand" by which it has since been known.

The word "Thai" means "free" and therefore "Thailand" means "Land of the Free." 

Even the most 'cost sensitive' traveler can afford first rate service & luxury amenities in Thailand, amenities reserved exclusively for politicians, celebrities & the ultra-rich in the west.

Thailand is sensory overload!

Too much to see!  Too much to do!

This is Thailand!

The Thai society has traditions based on ancient & deeply held beliefs.

Bangkok is a wonderful,  at first glance chaotic, mix of Ancient Far East & Ultra Modern West

Bangkok is truly a place where the Ancient Far East has collided with the 21st Century West.

 Thailand Medical Tourism ( the savings on 1 tooth repair, root canal & crown, can pay for an 'economy level' vacation, including air to Thailand! )

•     Uninsured & need an MRI ( MRI = $200.)  or dental, dermatology, cosmetic, rehabilitation .. flu shot.. ?
  
  
•     Pay for a nice vacation with the savings on medical modalities by American educated Thai doctors.   

  Thailand is located on the Indochina Peninsula.

• Indochina Peninsula = Peninsula between India & China.

• Surrounded by Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos & Myanmar ( Burma ) with Vietnam a close neighbor.

• Thailand is on the west side of the Indochina Peninsula fronting onto both the Gulf of Thailand (South China Sea) and the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean).

• The main cities are Bangkok in the central, Chiang Mai in the northeast ( Golden Triangle) and Udon & Ubon in the southeast ( Issan ).

Tropical mountains, Southeastern Himalayan foot hills, in the north. Chiang Mai & Mai Hong Song.

•  The train to Chiang Mai is highly recommended. 

 

• All areas of Thailand are serviced by modern air lines ( Thai Air & Bangkok Air )

  • Bangkok Air tends to fly 'dressed up puddle jumpers', smaller planes to mostly domestic destinations

• + reliable trains offer an unspoiled view of the country side.

  • The overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in a private sleeper berth w/ a picture window is highly recommended.

    • You enter the tropical mountains about dawn & arrive Chiang Mai at about 10 AM.

  • The 2nd &  3rd class trains to some of the more remote / less touristy  areas are 'primitive' but OK.

     

         One of the most famous gyms in the world is on Pattaya Beach.  Universe Gym is owned by Aussies former Mr. Universe Shane Stratton & former Ms. World Figure (& new mama) Diane Stratton.  Diane pictured in front of her gym below.
       
    Enjoy a workout in a modern gym, get a fresh fruit snack & enjoy a therapeutic massage on the beach.

This is Thailand!   

Elephants sharing the road with tuk tuks, cars & buses. 

• Dinner theater with traditional Thai dance performed to soothing classical Thai music.

  • 98% tourist events.

  • Pretty cool the first time.

• Or rowdy Muay Thai kick boxing.

  • If there is no Thai betting it is a fixed tourist event.

  • Very cool every time!

    
    

discos packed with tourists, seekers & travelers from all continents.

• Bangkok has the most incredible mix of 'international' types.  

  • A totally intercontinental random assortment mix, shaken well. :-)

  • & it seems most of whom are overtly willing to lend assistance.

• Persons from all 'corners of the globe' trying to meld into the uniqueness that is Thailand.

 

• The 'coolist hot roddy', :-o)) , water taxis are on the Mekong, at the Golden Triangle.

• Its at the junction of Laos, Myanmar & Thailand.  Community created because of "Golden Triangle" fame.

• 30 minutes southeast of Mai Sai. ( paved 2 lane blacktop )

• Hot roddin' on a huge river with little traffic.

  • Cross the Mekong & you are in Laos.  

    • There is a Lao village 2 or 3 km south of the main boat dock.  

    • This is not a border crossing, it's a Lao jungle primitive tourist village.

      • It's Lao & authentic primitive but also is a regular stop for the Thai tourist water taxi jockeys, stop on the Lao side for a drink & view the river traffic.

      • Worthwhile destination if you're in the area.

      • The 'boss lady', mama-san, is a trip.. she could be TV talk show jabberer!

    • A special Lao tribal formula male rejuvenation elixir of 'moon shine' with a marinating complete "Tiger 'maleness system" is available!  

      • Large glass "pickle jar" with what looks like a ..? .. I guess it's a tiger reproduction system.. appears intact.. ?

      • 1 cup 10 BT.

    • Oh, while on the subject, Golden Triangle moonshine CAN be excellent...  About 20 BT per liter (tourist price), generally in a recycled plastic water bottle..... sipping stuff! :-o)))

      • Ask your boat driver/ tour guide.

    • Spring 2004, During the dry season the Mekong is now all but dry due to a series of Chinese hydroelectric / irrigation dams.

      • The Mekong was closed to commercial traffic on several occasion due to 3' / 1m water dept.

• If you venture to Chiang Mai, a trip to Mai Sai & the Golden Triangle is worthwhile. 

  
  

  • In my experience the people of Thailand are among the most friendly, accommodating and gracious in the world.

    • Near universal incredible graciousness is exhibited by the service personal, hotel & restaurant staff as well as retail sales clerks.

    • After just a few visits to the convenience store near my apartment in Bangkok I felt as though the employees were friends.

  • I cannot help but smile when I am greeted with a seemingly ever present Thai smile.

    • The best part about shopping in Thailand is the retail staffing.  From the 7-11 to Foodland to Robinson's to MBK to The Emporium incredible 'customer assistance & relation' staffing.