What if you don't like spicy food? and other Bangkok, Thailand Local Custom Tips

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It's customary here to put spicy chilis in most cooked foods. What if you don't like spicy food? If you say, "Not spicy," you get entangled in a cultural misunderstanding: When a Thai hears "not spicy", to them it means only one or two chilis. Even that may be too much for your taste. The solution is to request, "NO chilis". In the little picture for this tip, I have written Thai language for no chilis. You can click to enlarge, print it, and carry to show in restaurants in Thailand.

If you want to try saying it in Thai language, use this: "my-sy-prik".

However, you may still get an argument from the waitress. I've asked for "no chili" and was told, "But no put chili, cannot be delicious!"

And don't be surprised if the food you are served is still spicy "hot". Thai cooks really don't understand how to cook without chilis.

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I live in Bangkok. If you have questions about long-stay here, you are welcome to contact me. Your question could inspire a new tip. - Peter

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Do not expect local vendors or taxi drivers to have change for your money. The smart visitor quickly learns to always have enough "small money".

Here's a typical experience that happened to me: Buying fresh orange juice for 20 Baht, I offered a 100 Baht bill. 20 Baht is about US$ 0.50, and 100 Baht is US$ 2.50 or 2 Euro. The vendor did not have change! Obviously he'd just arrived with his orange juice cart and was not prepared. So he ran about 20 meters to another vendor, begged for change, then ran back to where I was waiting.

I've had similar experiences many times, although usually with 500 or 1,000 Baht bills. Lesson learned: Don't expect vendors to have change. Better to be prepared yourself.

This is especially important when taking taxis. Some taxi drivers claim, "No have small money" when a foreigner pulls out large bills. Most taxi rides in Bangkok are 40-150 Baht. Before getting into any taxi I make sure to have enough 20s and 50s.

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I live in Bangkok. If you have questions about long-stay here, you are welcome to contact me. Your question could inspire a new tip. - Peter

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I live in Bangkok. It is rather amuzing to read warning on forums about Bangkok to "WATCH OUT FOR LADY-BOYS!"

When I read such warnings, I often wonder why the strident comments? Instead, I'll offer some facts:

Lady-boys are young men who prefer to dress and act like women. They are not necessarily homosexuals. Lady-boys are common in Thailand. Lady-boys have active roles on Thai television. You can also see lady-boys working in grocery stores, markets, travel agencies - in fact, all kinds of businesses. If the business would employ a woman, it probably would employ a lady-boy.

There are lady-boys working in the brothels & bars also. Some of them are stunningly beautiful - from a distance. But up close, the makeup is a bit thick, the breasts too high, the clothing seems forced. Hands and feet may appear too large for the body. And, of course, the Adam's apple.

If a man is in a bar, and a woman looks attractive and tempting, how would the man know if this is a real woman? The simple solution is merely ask, quietly and politely: "Are you lady-boy, or not?" All Thais may not always give an honest answer to all questions, but to that question, the probablility is almost 100% of getting an honest reply. A lady-boy would likely grin or giggle, and admit it. A real woman would get a bit annoyed, and probably do or show something to prove her veracity. There is nothing dangerous about this.

There is one area where lady-boys can be dangerous and that is street-crime. Some pickpockets dress as lady-boys in order to more easily approach their "mark". I've never experienced this, but have read enough reports, that I think there must be something to it.

Overall, when I've encountered lady-boys in shops or offices, they've been helpful and friendly. I've never had any problems with lady-boys.

Short answer - not to worry.

-- Peter

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The Songkran "festival" is in mid-April. Here is a warning to unsuspecting visitors:

Traditionally young people showed respect to elders by sprinkling a bit of water over their hands. But Songkran in Bangkok and other tourist centers has changed into something rather vicious. Most of us who live here stay at home during Songkran, or leave the country for that week.

I've watched from inside the glass doors of my building. Anybody going past WILL get drenched. Not just a sprinkle or a squirt, but a bucket of water poured over them or thrown in their face. Much of the water is chilled with ice or mixed with talcum powder. In some areas, the water is scooped from the filthy canals and river.

Most of the Thais are relaxed about it: they laugh and throw water and laugh some more. But I was amazed at the intensity of some foreigners; they were attacking with out-of-control frenzy. Songkran seems to bring out the worst in some people.

Here are comments about Songkran from one long-time Bangkok resident, "Mekong Kurt", posted on his excellent website, http://bangkokatoz.com

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"Thai New Year, Songkhran, will be upon us in less than a month. ... much of the time, there are wild water fights, including ... unwilling "combatants" who want to do nothing more than get away. As I normally do, I'll leave the country for the Days of Madness. A fair number of my friends just lock themselves in their homes for several days ... If you don't want to get drenched, better start making your travel plans now."

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This year, 2006, Songkran is officially April 13-15, but the dousings continue throughout the week beginning April 9. I've read that the worst is at Kaosarn Road in Bangkok, and anywhere near Beach Road in Pattaya.

Locals who must be out and about during Songkran wear old clothes, carry money and documents in a plastic bag, and slip mobile phone into a condom, then tie a knot in the open end.

Website below has photos.

As for me, I won't venture past those glass doors.

-- Peter

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Website: http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/songkran/index2004.shtml