Bangkok
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The first thing that I can probably tell you about Bangkok is that it is a big and bustling city with way too much activity going on. At the same time, it really doesn't compare with a city like Shanghai or Hong Kong in size or population, but it does offer everything - on a city and cultural level - that Thailand has to offer. I was blessed to have a friend - Meridith - pick me and Jonathan up from the airport and provide us with a place to stay our entire visit to Bangkok. It definitely saved us a lot of money. Plus, Meridith and the people at G.E.S gave us a lot of insight into the city and directed us where to go and not go.
Jonathan and I spent most of our 1st day just exploring and getting a feeling for Bangkok. We quickly came to the conclusion - or at least it appeared to us - that we were not the locals favorite kind of tourists since we don't like to: (1) take taxis, (2) tuk tuks, or (3) spend money. Everywhere we went we were constantly bombarded with requests and gesturing to take both taxis and tuk tuks. I imagine at this point that you are probably wondering "What is a tuk tuk?" so here is a picture. It is a 3 wheeled contraption that seats approximately 2 people and sounds like a motorcycle of some sorts. They are everywhere and if you ever plan on using one make sure to know the going rate as you will have to bargain with the driver.I should also note at this point that if you ever decide to come to Bangkok that you really need to read up on all the local scams so that you don't get taken. It would probably be entirely beneficial to do some research on the Internet about what other people have done and learned. Also, f you unsure about what to do I am sure you could ask one of the thousands of other tourists clutching their Lonely Planet books. Otherwise, don't be afraid to come and visit this beautiful country.
People
The people are really nice and are - for the most part - genuinely interested in helping you get where you want to go and actually learning about who you are. I kind of begun to imagine it would be like visiting China if the Chinese actually had the same English speaking capability that the Thai had. Often when traveling through and/or exploring China, people try to talk to you and share about their lives and, in turn, try to learn about yours. However, the only draw back is that your ability to speak Chinese is on the same level as their ability to speak English.
Also, the way that the Thai people greet you as well as others is incredibly fascinating. It almost makes me feel like the way westerners greet each other has failed to take into account a sense of respect and consideration for each other. For the most part, every time you are greeted by a Thai person they put their hands together - as if they were praying - as a sign of reverence and tilt their heads toward when greeting/welcoming you.
On another important/interesting side note. The king holds a very important position and place in the Thai people's heart. Everywhere you go throughout Thailand you will begin to notice the pictures and images of the king whether it be a restaurant, school, mall, police station, government building, etc. So treat everything you say about the king with forethought and and tact.
Buddhism
I honestly don't really know much, but just from traveling around Bangkok and visiting all the temples (wats) one will quickly recognize the influence of Buddhism and the power that it has in this country. To be honest, the way that Thai people practice Buddhism makes the Chinese look like they are playing at it. There are little shrines erected everywhere you go with incense and food set before pictures. Plus, one can hardly ignore the temples and stature that they hold within the Thai society and the prominence that they hold within major cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai.On some levels one might think that seeing places like Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and the Grand Palace might be on some peoples life checklists of things to do and/or really beautiful places. I will say that while they are beautiful and somewhat amazing on architectural level they carry a dark aura. Fortunately or unfortunately, I have seen my share of Buddhist, Taoist, and Tibetan Buddhist temples throughout China (and now Thailand) and the more I see of them the less I want to ever go to another one. Many might not consider me the most spiritual person, but when in and/or near these temples I find it unnerving. Take this for what it is worth, but I am limiting the days that I will enter let alone visit one of these places.
Culture Shock: Why are there so many White people?
An interesting phenomenon that I have noticed about myself since entering Thailand about a week ago has been the irritation that I have had with the amount of foreigners that inhabit or occupy space in this country. Call it bizarre, unheard of, or just plain weird, but everywhere I go I find myself wondering "Where did they come from?", "Why do they have to be here?", and "I just want to go back to China." I guess part of the reason that I like China is that you can escape from parts of Western culture. However, Thailand - unlike China - has a huge tourist industry and makes you feel like our culture has seemingly infiltrated the country making it feel like you are at home at times.Don't get me wrong here. I am not denying my own culture or saying that I don't like where I am from. Rather, that after living abroad - even if it is only for 4 months - and not normally seeing other foreigners (other than Chinese) it is really weird. It is out of the common to see another foreigner in Nanchang and usually does not happen more than 1 or 2 times a month.
Food
Lastly, I must mention a very sad and unfortunate truth that I have learned since coming to Thailand. I had come with great hopes and dreams of eating amazing Phad Thai, but alas it has done anything but meet my expectations. Perhaps, my expectations and dreams were a little unreal, but I have tasted nothing like anything I had back home. I feel like such a foreigner for saying this, but I like the Phad Thai at home better.
On the other hand, all other Thai food has tasted great.
