Mai Thai, now and then
The first days I leave for a trip anywhere starts with a bout of homesickness. Distance is something felt through culture, people and space. The withdrawal symptoms of those elements on familiar terms happens almost without fail anywhere I go with anybody. And then I realized it's something that's in me, it's been creating stewing and making itself stronger for a long time. Homesickness is something created throughout years, realized in minutes, but curiously cured in moments.
I always had the perception of Thailand sold to me by travel agencies and tourists who just love Thailand. Most of my images I had of Thailand were probably much like anyone else's: good food, fantastic service, cheap 5 star hotels, massages, exotic beaches, lady boys and prostitutes etc. These preconceptions are a double edged sword. While they are very much what outsiders see of Thailand, they are also the real Thailand in some ways as tourism make up a huge part of their industry and thus contemporary Thai local culture. Locals also partake in most of these services, and many more locals work them.
In the days following a lot changed, and I began to like Thailand for a number of reasons. My father's college friend took me to two very good meals, and quickly my disdain for Thai food from my college days changed sides. I never knew Thai food could be so good! At Baan Khanitha in Sukhumvit, a nice but touristy restaurant in a traditional Thai house, I experienced the best coconut concoctions in my life.
Still visiting national monuments, I was still yet a beginner in Bangkok. Near Wat Po and Grand Palace, I stumbled upon hip young Thais from Thammasat University in cafes drinking, smoking and living the hipster life. They were pretty fun too, quick to socialize once I entered on their territory.
Just as I began to think that all Thailand nightlife had to offer were crass hostess clubs and sleezy sex tourists places, I landed on RCA.
Royal City Avenue. Now, I think I deserve a few local points for this one. Some well travelled tourists told us about it, a well known local club district about 100 baht taxi ride from town. I've never seen it mentioned in a guidebook and it's amazing. One street, tons of clubs, no cover (but remember to bring ID to show you are over 20), cheap drinks, great live and DJ music and Thais partying until the 3 am closing time. Everyone is friendly, I barely felt pretension, and all the party goers are just trying to have lots of fun in a wild dance party fashion.
Was I impressed? Let's just say I'm finally convinced that Thai youth culture has something going for it.
The first days I leave for a trip anywhere starts with a bout of homesickness. Distance is something felt through culture, people and space. The withdrawal symptoms of those elements on familiar terms happens almost without fail anywhere I go with anybody. And then I realized it's something that's in me, it's been creating stewing and making itself stronger for a long time. Homesickness is something created throughout years, realized in minutes, but curiously cured in moments.
I always had the perception of Thailand sold to me by travel agencies and tourists who just love Thailand. Most of my images I had of Thailand were probably much like anyone else's: good food, fantastic service, cheap 5 star hotels, massages, exotic beaches, lady boys and prostitutes etc. These preconceptions are a double edged sword. While they are very much what outsiders see of Thailand, they are also the real Thailand in some ways as tourism make up a huge part of their industry and thus contemporary Thai local culture. Locals also partake in most of these services, and many more locals work them.
In the days following a lot changed, and I began to like Thailand for a number of reasons. My father's college friend took me to two very good meals, and quickly my disdain for Thai food from my college days changed sides. I never knew Thai food could be so good! At Baan Khanitha in Sukhumvit, a nice but touristy restaurant in a traditional Thai house, I experienced the best coconut concoctions in my life.
Still visiting national monuments, I was still yet a beginner in Bangkok. Near Wat Po and Grand Palace, I stumbled upon hip young Thais from Thammasat University in cafes drinking, smoking and living the hipster life. They were pretty fun too, quick to socialize once I entered on their territory.
Just as I began to think that all Thailand nightlife had to offer were crass hostess clubs and sleezy sex tourists places, I landed on RCA.
Royal City Avenue. Now, I think I deserve a few local points for this one. Some well travelled tourists told us about it, a well known local club district about 100 baht taxi ride from town. I've never seen it mentioned in a guidebook and it's amazing. One street, tons of clubs, no cover (but remember to bring ID to show you are over 20), cheap drinks, great live and DJ music and Thais partying until the 3 am closing time. Everyone is friendly, I barely felt pretension, and all the party goers are just trying to have lots of fun in a wild dance party fashion.
Was I impressed? Let's just say I'm finally convinced that Thai youth culture has something going for it.
This entry was posted by cheapculture, on
Saturday, September 29, 2007.
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