[xT0U3UGh]

Real Thai or Thailand you have find them near rice fields those are real Thais hard working people and live in the real Thai houses and always maintain their own beaty as the pictures below.

[JacomoR]

It's all real. The big cities and tourist areas are "real modern" and more culturally diverse. The countryside is "real relaxed" and more culturally homogeneous. I happen to like the countryside, because I like the slower pace and cultural richness. The reason I don't like the cities and tourist resorts so much is you can find that sort of thing anywhere, like New York, Cabo San Lucas, Paris, Niece, etc. It's the same everywhere you go. In the USA, if you want the cosmopolitan life you go to the cities, and if you want mom and apple pie you go to the country.

[virtuah]

Nice to see one of my pics featured on the forum ! ("Hillhouse") It was taken in a Karen village between Lamphun and Lampang. Such country communities,Thai or otherwise, are the "real" Thailand for me.

[HakSpeame]

Yeah there's some good points here, Thailand is Thailand and it has evolved that way, its all real and depends what you are looking for in a country.
Due to the easier conditions in Thailand compared to all of the surrounding countries its obvious that people from those places are going to try and come here for their fortune and better quality of life, but essentially everybody is a home bird and want some of the things that they have grown up knowing so will therefore bring their cultures, having said this it has all melded with a Thai flavour making places like Yaorarat unlike anywhere else in the world, same with Khao San in its own way, I wouldn't call it real Thailand but where else could that road be. Although now I'm in the country I am definately experiencing a different side very much more laid back but already everyone knows my business, ho hum I don't mind that

[wp6Eg2Fm]

re I find the real Thailand when I am sitting on our big teak bench on the front porch of our house in Trang.

that is the real- wherever you are. beautiful. thanks

[OGOGOogoloshennya]

Where is the real Thailand? If you yourself are not Thai then how can you answer the question objectively? As an 'outsider' you can only ever campare what you see and experience to what you perceive or expect Thailand 'should be'... If someone is born and bred in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Isaan then for them that is the 'real Thailand' as that is all they have experienced.

For me the 'real Thailand' is everything I experience from the moment I get off the plane to when I depart, whether it be watching a cockfight or feeding a pig in our village, or eating KFC or McDonalds amongst Farangs in a Bangkok shopping mall.

David

[cemDrymnVem]

Betti,
Your post No8 is spot on. At least it is for me. I particularly agree about the Thai preoccupation with outward appearances at the expense of what really matters (at least what matters to Farangs). Thats why I have no confidence in any "safety" precautions in LoS, such as the sprinkler systems, fire escape routes and structural integrity of hotels and just about anything else where public safety is concerned. To the Thai psyche, if it looks good, it must be good, but to a Farang its only good if it WORKS!

[pirinosa]

Re: Where is the real Thailand?


Man you got a point,all I have to say. I was born in Udon Thani (esarn) Since I left my hometown in 1996 and after that I've got notice of military to go back for army,but I just left it behide wihtout given any words.
This year in march I finally decided myself to take my real vacation and thought that should be a good idea to be back again.Yes I did and that was worthest things I've done and got some idea by vision to return back someday and start some business for my onw.
I was traveled around from I sarn to Bangkok and Pattaya and the last target was Sukhotai to visit Thailand's famous old city.That was the place I'll offer you guys who never been or knew about.

Take a trip to this place in this province and the old city are closely to the main city that you can book in for hotels. Huge place that you perhape rent a bycicle to ride around the area and ride from place to place and there are a museum of most of worthy properties has been moved from those madly thives,almost all of oldest properties is collected in the museum ,you maight not believe me if I say that.But do it,cause there are many beautiful places around by the same place and I will give you my guarantee that you guys won't be disuppoint.
Better in late of november by ROYGRATONG festival,cause here ROYGRATONG festival was born and most both of thai and tuoristies they used to come to joint this traditionally festival,I was 9 yrs olds the first time I jointed the ROYGRATONG in this city with my family that was my bigest experience I ever had in my tirelife. I'll be back again next year,GOD can't wait to long for this.

Live our lives worthwhile while we're alive
And moneys is just a quantity that we're allways can get

Sheers

[TOD4wDTQ]

Sved, this is the thread you reminded me of in the chatroom.

I really enjoyed the Mae Hong Son loop last year and I already sent a couple that way who had asked me about "seeing the real Thailand". they were quite ok with my suggestion.

Good suggestion,

My wife is really thrilled about the chance to visit the real Thailand for the first time

[OGOGOogoloshennya]

How can something within the borders Thailand (or England or France etc.) not be the real Thailand (or England or France etc.)?

David

[L8fGLM4d]

thanks for reinventing the wheel. whoa.

[L8fGLM4d]

Sved, this is the thread you reminded me of in the chatroom.

I really enjoyed the Mae Hong Son loop last year and I already sent a couple that way who had asked me about "seeing the real Thailand". they were quite ok with my suggestion.

[jessyhalm]

Yes- it is all "real, but paradoxically, I think people think something is only "real" in this context if it conforms to how they imagine it to be.

You've hit the nail on the head Khun Don.

I remember when I returned home after my first visit to Thailand, a friend asked me where I had been and what I enjoyed most.

We both had different views of what "real" Thailand is.

I prefer the quiet scenic areas and he enjoys the bustle of busy towns and cities.

Both are very much real.

[L8fGLM4d]

Tim, I think this is the thread you referred to in the chatroom.

[VIAGRA-]

I thought that "Thai" is primarily a nationality, which encompases many ethnicities. Therefore all the localities and and ethnicities can be Thai to the extent that they identify as Thai. For instance many Thai have a Chinese genetic heritage. It appears to me, that many are half farong. So what? If they think of themselves as Thai, they are really Thai. The Thais I know and knew, reached out across ethnic groups and were very compassionate. I have heard Thais say that Hmong and other hilltribes are "our brothers and sisters."

It also annoys me when people who know nothing about Thailand want "an authentic Thai experience," meaning they want to see everything old-fashioned, like buffalo pulling carts and elephants moving logs and rather than computers, cars, and cell phones with no Western influences at all. I want to see the Thai people doing well economically, picking and mixing any influences they like into their own culture. It will still be "really Thai." Just like Americans (my nationality) never worry about not being American enouph when they borrow and incorporate anything they want from around the world. Being American is whatever we say it is. So Thais should (and I think do) act that way too.

[StitlyDute]

Of course it's all real, as in existing in reality. But I think 'real' is just being used to describe something representative of Thai culture, Thai history and Thai people? Obviously that includes cities and villages, but it's those rather than things just created for the purpose of tourism - tacky overpriced markets etc...

but even so, whilst the tourist stuff may not all be 'real' in the sense I've mentioned, it's all a part of modern Thailand - the traffic, overpriced night bazaars and the four billion prostitutes - and I think there's something everyone can enjoy. As TomboR said, some people like quiet, some people like busy cities. You can't say that just because you're sitting in a house that cost $700 to build in the middle of nowhere you're in a Thailand that's any more real than sitting in a 3 million baht apartment in down town Bangkok

[TOD4wDTQ]

Much appreciated Betti! There's more to do but it's almost 11pm now though so it's time to go out and abuse Thai women.

And you questioned the groan button I see.

[TOD4wDTQ]

Of course it is, city boy.

No groan button when u need it

[enlinnyGoob]

Even in Bangkok you will find the real Thailand; in the morning the Monks also walk around with there Silver Bowls, and on Songkran family members also will sprinkle water for older ones to show respect or go to a Temple and sprinkle water at Buddha Statues.

So you will find this in the Mega City Bangkok as well as in rural areas of Thailand.

[mosypeSom]

Some really good responses here. As for myself, the real Thailand is how you feel in your heart. Bangkok is real only for a few days of shopping. After that, I want to go home. Home is my real Thailand.
I have visited Trat, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Sukothai, Lampang.
Each had their unique realness to them.
Pailin, might I suggest that your question has 2 parts ? Real ancient Thailand, and real modern Thailand. Old ways versuses new ways.
I guess you can compare it this way. Where I live, people still go around with the little silver bowls and sprinkle water on the elders for Songkran. On Khao Son road in Bkk, I watch the news as people go completely over the top celebrating Songkran.
I understand your question but, IGNT is right, real means many things to many people.