I spent a few months there awhile back and really loved it. It’s beautiful. The food is delicious. Everything is inexpensive.
I’ve traveled a lot, and many places check those same boxes, but something that stood out to me is that Thai people are generally extremely friendly and down to earth. They seem to welcome foreigners and the chance to get to know new people, enjoy practicing English with visitors, have patience with you when you attempt to speak Thai to them, show you their culture, etc. I assume that Buddhism being the prominent spiritual mindset there has a big influence on that.
If you do end up going, and end up making friends with Thai folks, don’t try to pay for their meals. One of the most awkward moments I can remember from my time there was trying to pick up a dinner bill. It’s culturally important for them to feed their guests… I tried to grab the bill and pay as a gesture of appreciation for them welcoming me in, and every single Thai person almost jumped out of their seat to stop me from paying.
Moonrak3r t1_jd9gwbk wrote
Reply to comment by SuccessfullyLoggedIn in Sunrise at Phang Nga Bay, Thailand (2000x2000)[OC] by cryptodesign
I spent a few months there awhile back and really loved it. It’s beautiful. The food is delicious. Everything is inexpensive.
I’ve traveled a lot, and many places check those same boxes, but something that stood out to me is that Thai people are generally extremely friendly and down to earth. They seem to welcome foreigners and the chance to get to know new people, enjoy practicing English with visitors, have patience with you when you attempt to speak Thai to them, show you their culture, etc. I assume that Buddhism being the prominent spiritual mindset there has a big influence on that.
If you do end up going, and end up making friends with Thai folks, don’t try to pay for their meals. One of the most awkward moments I can remember from my time there was trying to pick up a dinner bill. It’s culturally important for them to feed their guests… I tried to grab the bill and pay as a gesture of appreciation for them welcoming me in, and every single Thai person almost jumped out of their seat to stop me from paying.
Anyway: awesome place, I highly recommend it.