Welcome to my A to Z of Bangkok Life

Over the next month, I will introduce you to my life as a ‘farang’, or foreigner in Bangkok. Together we will explore the joys and some of the tribulations of living in the City of Angels.

It’s an interesting life. There is a little old wren, with a few orange-clad monks at every turn, probably a street full of girls from the massage parlors and so much history and culture that I hardly know where to begin.

Although A for Amazing Bangkok will do.

I want to show you the hidden Bangkok. The Bangkok that I get to see as I live here. Sure we do some of the really touristy things because they’re lovely, but I hope to give you a feel of life as a foreigner in Thailand.

But first I need to share something with you! 

Last October was our wedding anniversary, over thirty of our closest friends and family came to celebrate with us. It ended up as a special weekend, but at one point I remember sitting head in my hands saying “this isn’t going to work…”

I feel like this about my life in Bangkok.

Sometimes it feels so exciting to be living in a far off, exotic land. I wander the Buddhist temples and hidden soi’s of the flower market, marveling at the traditions, and surrounded by the loveliest of people, both the locals and foreign friends I have met.

The next day, beam me up to anywhere out of this polluted, hot and overwhelming city where yet another taxi driver is taking me the long route home without the meter. I hate it here.

C is for Culture Shock.

Those in the know, say this is the classic culture shock, I have lived in Singapore, Hong Kong, Asia is not exactly new to me…  My feelings towards Bangkok have taken me by surprise since this is what we do. I thought I had this ex-pat thing sorted, but maybe I don’t.

Or maybe this is just Thailand. Lovely on the surface, but I don’t have to scratch too far before it’s grubby, dirty and smelly underbelly throws me to screaming ‘I want to go home.’ I’ve moved after from the world’s most liveable city Melbourne after all!

Why do you get culture shock, when you love to travel?

Arghh well, travel and living are something completely different…

I can’t wait for ‘F for Far Out, Bangkok’ did that just happen?

We will explore this further in a few days but let me as a way of an introduction, take you back to last year’s wedding anniversary and show you how things in Thailand are never straightforward.

I was working with a number of venues searching for spectacular and memorable Thai entertainment. The initial idea was to employ some Thai classical dancers with the request for them to elegantly and gracefully greet our guests using the swimming pool as a backdrop.

That idea never floated!

I regret to inform you that it is impossible for us to grant you this request due to the fact that we have received instructions from the government to restrict us from catering to any kind of entertainment especially in the public area where other people can see. This is due to the fact that this month will be the month for the cremation of our late king, RAMA IX and we are still in the mourning process.

If it was under normal circumstance, we would be delighted to grant you this request. I hope you can understand us.

The alternative was more risqué and took a lot of convincing of my husband.  It was a Lady Boy show and it doesn’t get more glitzy Thai than that! The idea was to invite three ladyboys, or katoeys transvestites with a lifesize Beyonce puppet to dance to ‘If you like it, you should have put a ring on it’. How appropriate, I thought I liked the idea of something different.

The response:

This is not a problem at all as it is inside of your private function room – sounds like fun!

There sure is a whole load more to tell about how it is best not to arrange a party during a time of solemn mourning but probably L is for Lèse-majesté explains all. This is the crime which forbids the insult of the monarchy and is among the strictest in the world. End of conversation.

Moving right along how about T is not for Thailand?!

Follow along on my A to Z challenge and see whether I indeed make it to the end. I sincerely hope I make it to T is for TIT. No! What are you thinking? T is for This Is Thailand. Which means anything and everything can happen…expect the unexpected.

Hang on tight, we’re in for quite a ride! I hope you will join me.

PS I am joining the Blogging from A to Z (2018) Challenge whereby I will be posting every day (except Sundays) in April following the alphabet prompts.

You can find out more details and sign up here: A to Z Challenge.

Thank you to all the hosts, I appreciate all their hard work in launching this event. See you back here on April 1st!