You know, the weather in... and other Bangkok, Thailand Local Custom Tips

You know, the weather in Thailand can be VERY hot and VERY humid (sad to say, it's hotter and more humid compared to Singapore). Apparently, there is a running joke amongst those people living in Thailand that the country has three different seasons i.e. hot, hotter and HOTTEST. I hate to admit it but... they are absolutely not wrong!

The climate is monsoonal, marked by a rainy season lasting from May to September and a relatively dry season for the remainder of the year. The rainy season will astound many a tourist as it can rain very heavily sometimes for up to only 10 minutes.
The Thailand Tourist Promotion is not going to like me for saying this. NEVER go to Bangkok in March and April unless you love the idea of looking like a baked red lobster!

The best times to conquer Bangkok must surely be December and January when the weather is the 'coolest' (read: 30°C only!). Did I hear someone groaning already?? The average temperature here in Bangkok hovers around 35°C usually. Packing along your sunblock lotion is also a good idea.

Photo Below: A cute lil monkey I spotted at the Floating Market taking a short respite. :-)

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One of the most beautiful aspects of the Thai people is their utmost respect and ENORMOUS love for their monarchy. It is definitely NOT advisable to say anything bad or negative about their King; this act alone could land you in serious trouble!! The Thai ADORE their King and you will never hear a Thai utter a bad word about their monarchy.

If you have seen the movie 'Anna and the King' starring Jodie Foster (as Anna) and Chow Yuen Fatt as the King of Siam... you'd have an inkling of what I mean.

Enjoy Bangkok!! I'm very sure you will! :-)

Photo Below: That's me at the Floating Market (off Bangkok) trying to strike a cool James Bond pose. Haha... Gutsy huh?

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O.K., here's something on currency exchange: We are already living in the year 2001 where technology has literally taken over most basic functions. Yes, even as basic as withdrawing cash! So, no need to change all your money into traveler's checks or Thai Bahts before arriving.

You can actually withdraw ALL the money you need at any ATM machines here in Bangkok.

Yes, just ensure that your ATM is linked to the 'Cirrus', 'Plus', 'The Exchange', 'Maestro' networks. Once it's linked, you can withdraw Thai Bahts even from the remotest Thai banks here in Thailand. And the important thing I've discovered about using this method is that you actually BENEFIT from the LOW INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES used. Trust me, it'd work. I've tried it countless of times before and have NEVER been disappointed.

What you do is the minute when you arrive at Don Muang Airport, just head straight to any ATM machines located just outside the Arrival Hall and you can withdraw cash for your holiday enjoyment. Of course, the ONLY person I can see that'd fume over this recommendation of mine are the money changers.

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Here are some social customs which I think will come in very handy when you are in Bangkok or anywhere else in Thailand. Remember, what is acceptable in Bangkok may not be in the countryside where the old ways are still prevalent and people are more conservative. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Thais do not normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press their palms together in a prayer like gesture called a 'wai'. Generally, a younger person wais an elder, who returns it. Watch how the Thais do it, and you will soon learn!

It is considered rude to point your foot at a person, so try to avoid doing so when sitting opposite anyone, and following the conception that the foot is a low limb; DO NOT point your foot to show anything to anyone but use your finger instead. And please AVOID placing your feet on the table while sitting.

Losing your temper, especially in public, will more than likely get you nowhere. The Thais (who are really a very mild mannered and gentle group of people) think that such displays denote poor manners, and you are more able to get what you want by keeping calm and concealing your emotions.

Do not be surprised if you are addressed by your first name: for instance, Mr. Tom or Miss Krystynn instead of by your surname. This is because Thais refer to one another in this manner, usually with the title 'Khun' (i.e. Mr, Mrs or Miss) in front. Follow the customs of the country as far as possible, and you will make more friends during your stay! :-)

When entering a Thai house, you're expected to remove your shoes. So please DON'T forget it.

Beckon waiters at any restaurants with a wave of a hand if you need to catch their attention. DO NOT clap, snap fingers, whistle or hiss at them! Such gungho behavior is considered terribly rude here in Thailand.

Photo Below: The ancient ruins of AYUTHAYA.

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If only I had known or had someone forewarn me, I wouldn't be in such a big dilemma.

Because Bangkok is perpetually HOT (read: steamy hot!), most female Caucasian tourists and yours truly turned up at the gates of the GRAND PALACE dressed comfortably in our sleeveless tank tops, shorts or mini skirts and slippers to keep ourselves cool..... And we were promptly told by the Palace guards that this kind of dressing is not to be tolerated. Huh??

So, they led us inside a small crammy room to choose (from a pile of looooong angle-length ugly-looking skirts that would have made Jane Austen real proud) and some equally ugly looking MANLY shirts to wear with our looooong skirts.

I took one look at the combination and told myself
- NO WAY AM I GONNA WEAR SUCH CLOTHES! NOT EVEN IN MY NEXT LIFE!!! (Not that I believe in reincarnation to begin with....).

So, we went across the street and bought a complete Thai looking outfit (that was all they sold!) that costs us (thankfully) only 220 Bahts after a session of intensed bargaining.

Photo above: That's me in the pic dressed in my new dark blue Thai silk outfit that I bought at the last minute.....

So, do remember: If you're heading to the Grand Palace, dress CONSERVATIVELY i.e. shirts/ dresses with sleeves, loooong skirts and shoes (with straps, please). Sandals are also NOT allowed here!

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IMPORTANT THAI PHRASES/ BASIC WORDS:

It's important to learn a few basic words of Thai before your trip. Firstly, you'd impress the people of this lovely country tremendously and secondly, it makes you find your way around Thailand and for this matter, Phuket so much easier!

Yes

krap (Ka)

No

mai

Thank you

korp kun

Thank you very much

korp kun mark

That's allright/You're welcome

mai pehn rai

Good morning/afternoon

sa wat dee

Good night

rar tree sa wat

Goodbye

sa wat dee

See you later

laiw jer gan

Hello/Hi!

sa wat dee

How do you do? Pleased to meet you

yin dee tee roo jak

How are you?

pehn yang ngai

Very well, thanks.

sa bai dee korp kun, laiw

And you?

kun la

How's life?

pehn ngai

I beg your pardon?

arai na

Sorry!

kor toet

Do you speak English?

kun poot par sar ang grit dai mai

Isn't it so easy to memorize the above phrases? :-D

Photo Below: That's me and VT member 'Kallista' in AYUTHAYA, the ancient city of Siam.

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This next challenge will certainly make Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum sit up and take note: If you're in Thailand, try eating BUGS. Yes, bugs as in - insects and not 'Bugs' (the once popular UK TV series). It is the #1 snack in Thailand and costs 20 Bahts for a bag full of Fried Grasshoppers. I was told that it's terribly delicious. Let me know the taste when you've tried it? My friends have tried and failed to entice me to eat 'em. Not even they're paying me $10,000! One million bucks, MAYBE. :-)

And now back to some reality... the lovely Bangkok skyline (this pic was taken from our hotel suite @ Westin Banyan Tree All-Suite Hotel).

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I shall start with FOOD first:

Remember to buy lots of delicious Thai crackers (covered in pork floss). It sounds yukky... but trust me, once you've tasted it - you'd NEVER be the same again. These crackers literally melt in your mouth.... I was out shopping at one of the local department stores when the sales girl let me try one piece (for sampling) and gosh, I think she must have regretted her action. Why? I stood there for a long while and gobbled up ALL her sample crackers!! O.K., O.K., I ain't THAT bad - really, I DID compensate by buying up ALOT of these Thai crackers in return -- to be distributed to my friends and family back home in Singapore.

You must also try the Thai Durians -- it's really delicious. Sooo meaty and sweet and....and.... we smuggled some durians back into our hotel room to have a midnight feast.... only to have our little midnight party disbanded almost immediately when we received a phone call from the hotel management saying that we should refrain from eating durians in the building premises because the strong smell has upset our Caucasian neighbors. Oops!

Photo Below: Lovely Thai souvenirs! I bought one of these hats from the Floating Market.... Unique!

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