[shieclulaweew]

Think you know Thailand, her customs and her people? Test your knowledge by solving the riddle below:

A king meets a peasant and asks what he does with his surplus. The peasant replies:

Your Majesty, all the money I am able to save, after paying the expenses of our frugal household, I divide into four parts. The first I bury in the ground; the second I use to pay my creditors, the third I fling into the river; and the fourth and last part I give to my enemy.

The king asks the peasant to explain his strange behaviour and is told:

What was the king told? Try to finish the story, using your knowledge about the life and customs of average Thai people. I give you a couple hints, and then post the rest of the story later.

Hint 1: Keep in mind that the peasant is a man.
Hint 2: Each answer should be a characteristic Thai behavior.
Hint 3: Don't take it too seriously! It is an old Thai riddle, and Thais like fun.

Good luck!

[inchaaruutaa]

Very cute, very Thai.

[shieclulaweew]

Wow, nice thinking Makiyo, you are so close na! ...

I'll post the rest of the story next week, so there is still some time for others to overcome shyness and post their own version.

[Mappaindy]

What's the answer?

[shieclulaweew]

The king asks the peasant to explain his strange behaviour and is told:

The money I bury in the ground is the money I spend on alms and making merit. The money I give to my creditors is what it costs me to keep my father and mother, to whom I owe everything I have. The money I fling into the river is the money I spend on gambling and drink and opium; and the money I give to my enemy is the money I give to my wife.

(Siamese Tales Old and New, A. le May's translation, London, 1930)

See Makiyo? So close...

Parents, wife (wives?), vices and merit. Uniquely Thai.

[shieclulaweew]

Yeah, I know. See Hint 3 above.

[Mappaindy]

Yeah I was pretty close... Should have seen the parents one though...slipped my mind.

[Mappaindy]

First - Fertilizer, seeds?
Second - rent? allowance for the wife?
Third - religious offerings? buying liquor, drinking then puking into the river?
Fourth - Taxes?

[Pwy9egVW]

So his wife is his enemy? that's not very nice.