2026-04-03

What is normal in Thailand, but weird in other places?

There must be a lot. Off the top of my head:

Inhalers: Thais get addicted to these herbal scent, nasal clearing products, like a small tube—like lip balm—or a bundle of herbs version of Vicks Vap-o Rub.

Government coups by the military: these happen like clockwork in Thailand, every however many years. It’s complicated how and why, but in the end it’s just normal for them.

Guys wearing a sarong: this is actually something that’s probably not uncommon across parts of Asia, maybe in place in India, Indonesia, the rest of SE Asia, or even China. But it’s kind of a cool thing, an interesting look, and it looks really comfortable. I’ve been told that it connects better if you’re an old man, and I’m well on my way to that status, so soon enough I can wear one.

Food carts on the street: again this is everywhere across lots of Asia, but in the “developed world” it would be strange to see a metal table on wheels welded to a motorcycle, or someone grilling satay / meat strips on a wood fired grill out on a push-cart on the sidewalk. The only food I eat most of the time I see it is roti; that’s the only way you ever seem to buy that.

that version is almost a food stall, like ordinary street food, but forms vary a lot.

drinking Fanta from a bag: this was in one Hangover movie, so I guess that it might already be familiar.

Ice cream served on bread: it’s like an ice cream sandwich, but a more literal version.

Concert level speakers playing music you can hear for kilometers: never mind noise ordinances; in some rural places people set up speakers that put normal small concert capacity to shame. We hiked up a mountain (large hill?) with one a couple kms from the base, and you could hear that so, so far away. At least it was those closer buildings:





fried bugs, as food: I never get over seeing this.




No comments: