[Sheelldaw]

I watched from my hotel room as Thai girls were passing on the street, down bellow,..then it struck me, that they practicaly all have their hair done same way, combed straight down on sides. My wife`s hair is same-always (only when we got married she went to hair salon and done it professionaly, and WOW!..was she gorgeous. ) I may be wrong but it seems to me that Thai women don`t care as much about their "Crowning Glory" as do western women. My wife has her friend cut her hair, and so do several of her girl-friends, when I asked her why she does not go to a salon to cut her hair, she said it expensive in Bkk. (now mind you, it does not affect my feelings for her, how her hair is done and by whom...) I have nothing against frugality and saving few Bucks/Bahts but I always get my hair cut professionaly, and think it is a good "Investment" . So is it only me, who noticed this about Thai women and their hair?...or am I wrong in my observation? (All you Thai ladies, and others, feel free to correct me, if I be wrong )

[timmybrown]

So is it only me, who noticed this about Thai women and their hair?...or am I wrong in my observation? (All you Thai ladies, and others, feel free to correct me, if I be wrong )

You are wrong. If you open your eyes and observe, there're more hair styling saloons than 7-11s everywhere you go... in Thailand...

[Ladbarbastirm]

"Beauty-Repair Shop"

[Wr8dIAUk]

I don't have the same impression at all. women are very conscious of their hair. once they are out of secondary school, they are so happy to get rid of the compulsory ponytails!
maybe not very posh hair saloons, but for example my soi is a few hundred metres long only, and there are 3 small hairdresser's. the kind of small place where the owner puts the baby down in the cot when you enter. and always lots of patrons too.

[Arkadiyas]

Two sisters have never been so different when it comes to our hair. My sister Jood goes out to have her hair washed and set and dried... just like Lucille Ball or heck, my mom. I'm a wash and wear kind of gal, and she is so disappointed in me!

[Golotop]

I think almost all of your observations are wrong. Where were you in Thailand? Were you staying in a hotel all the time and watching TV? Thai women spend a lot of money each year for beauty.
Having hair done in BKK is not that expensive if you dont go to hi-end salons, and you can afford it. :-)

[Immampdah]

If you seen young-to-teenage girls/boys have the same hairstyle, it is the school rules, not because they can't afford to go to salon, they probably need to go to the salon more often to have their hair trimmed.

And for people over school age, they go to salons/hairdressers frequently. How much do you called 'Too expensive'? Whatever it is, it's definitely not too expensive in Bangkok as people do go to salon quite often. Some of the salons, you have to queue and wait for hours (and there are more than 3 hairdresser working). Never heard of anyone need to ask a friend to cut the hair, unless the friend is a hairdresser

There are varieties of prices, like Syn said, it can be from just 30-50 Baht for cut and set upto 1,000-2,000 Bt at upmarket hairdressers.

There are plenty other services, too: manicure, pedicure face-massage, make-up, etc. these are all at affordable price, you can get them at 60-100 Bt at regular salons.

[Sheelldaw]

Well, thank you ALL for your replies. Maybe I haven`t noticed AAALL those hair salons `cause I was not searching for one, and maybe salons in Bkk. don`t look the same way they do here in Chicago..Brightly lit, attractively decorated, and inviting, ..because I realy did not notice even one in Bkk. And o.k. If Thai women do go to salons often....then I guess they don`t have many different hair styles to chose from, as they do here. Because I have seen only about 3 different hair styles on Bkk. women, and most are with straight flat hair....Oh, and those 30-50 bahts hair cuts....do you have to go and FIX those cuts, later on, by 300 bahts hair cuts

[Arkadiyas]

Yes. I don't think you noticed these things.

[Sheelldaw]

Yeah you`re right...it also could have something to do with my being Thai Alphabet "handicapped"

[timmybrown]

Yeah you`re right...it also could have something to do with my being Thai Alphabet "handicapped"

More like eye problems.
First of all, you say you observed there's no cemeteries in Thailand and your "Thai wife" don't even know what a cemetery is? Do you even have a Thai wife?
Then you say you never read any Thai jokes and you don't find Thai humor anywhere.... you never see all those Thai comedy movies they have in the theaters while you here?
Then you also say you don't see many hair saloons in Thailand. Gees.. you sure your "Thai wife" never asked you for some money cos she wanna start up a hair saloon business in Thailand?

Seriously, I think you've never been to Thailand.

[Sheelldaw]

Well Betty, how could I know any Thai jokes if I don`t read Thai alphabet?...and how can I prove that I was in Thainland (2 times, and soon to go 3rd. time)..O.k. first time in 2005-I stayed in Regent Naphramphaeng (spelling may be wrong) hotel. Then in 2007 in may I stayed in NASA-VEGAS hotel in Bkk. now if you know Bkk. well, then you know that these hotel are not on any inter-net webs, I could know them only by being there myself. My wedding was in DE LUXE PLACE HOTEL.If I had never been in Thailand, would I know about "Ancient city" in Bkk.?..or that I was charged 150 bahts (and my wife 50) in Bkk. Zoo?...or that in Bkk. dogs sleep in fone booths while raining, and people stand in rain-no offence meant, but I have seen this in person....and if you still don`t believe me, I can let my wife e-mail to you . Or I can send you some fotos of me from Thailand--I just learned how to do that-how to e-mail fotos from my p/c. so I am eager to practice....any way I surely was in Thailand.Oh, the comedy films?...well I `m not much of theater goer, we went only once to a movie we saw SPIDERMAN III I believe-it was her choice......so there ...you need any more proof of my trips to Thailand?....

[esconsise]

hand solo

I have no doubt that you have been AT Thailand. Understand that it is not the same as being IN Thailand. Being AT Thailand means you visited, stayed at a hotel, saw some local attractions, had your picture taken, etc. It is sort of like hovering above the place, getting a surface-level view. To really be IN Thailand, try staying is a family home, eating what Thai people eat, learning about the language and culture, and generally immersing yourself in the day-to-day lives of those around you.

To me, you write like, and have the depth of understand of, another long-time board member. This member has also been IN Thailand, but has no conception of Thainess. Perhaps if you put yourself in a learner's shoes, instead of trying to come across as seasoned and informed, you would get a better reception.

[Sheelldaw]

Some very good points there,...But there is also saying that goes: "Sometimes you have to step back from the picture, and look at it from a distance to see the WHOLE picture", so it is true that to get to know the land and people of Thailand upclose & personal, best way is to live among them for long time. But I think I posted some of my observations- in short time I was there-that perhaps those that lived there for long time fail to notice any more. ......and yes, we all are learning, all our lives

[SOgLak]

Hand Solo - 555555555555555!!!!!!!

[Sheelldaw]

Well,..Thank you Mr./Ms. Nam, Mr. Visionchaser and all others who contributed to this humble post & made it better . I am just not sure what those 5555555 mean?..in European schools they have grading system which starts with 1 as worst-failed grade, and 5 as best grade, is that how grading is done in Thailand also?...here in U.S. best grade is A+ then B, C, D, and F as worse, or Failed grade.....just another little difference between our 2 continents..if that`s what it is...unless in Thailand grading is reversed 5 is bottom and 1 is on top ....

[Fvmfrctt]

Solo, thai word for 5 is Ha. Maybe NP is laughing with you, or laughing at you. Only he would know. Welcome to the show.

[timmybrown]

Well Betty, how could I know any Thai jokes if I don`t read Thai alphabet?.?

You really have a serious observation problem.

..and how can I prove that I was in Thainland (2 times, and soon to go 3rd. time)?

So was it the first trip or second trip where you met your current "Thai wife" (who don't know about cemetary) and was it first trip or second trip you married your "Thai wife"?

If I had never been in Thailand, would I know about "Ancient city" in Bkk.??

Which part of Bkk is this "Ancient City"? I've never been to China but I know there's a "Great Wall Of China".

I just learned how to do that-how to e-mail fotos from my p/c. so I am eager to practice....?....

You must either be a 8 years old or in your 60s.

Iany way I surely was in Thailand.Oh, the comedy films?...well I `m not much of theater goer, we went only once to a movie we saw SPIDERMAN III I believe-it was her choice......so there ...you need any more proof of my trips to Thailand?....

Not necessary, I just find all your questions about Thailand ignorant and suspicious. Next time you come Thailand you probably should open your eyes bigger and observe better. Have a nice trip.

[Hervams]

In response to the original post. There was a very popular Thai event in Thaitown USA recently which I heard comments along this topic.

First, my Thai friends and I were in a large group eating and having drinks. There was group of about 4 airline hostesses that joined us. 2 worked for EVA, 2 from Thai Airways. All just happened to be stopping over from Thailand and were good friends. My Thai friend who has been living here for 15 years now made the comment that he could tell these girls came straight from Thailand just by looking at them. I asked how and the first thing he mentioned was their hair. I agreed, there is this certain look/hairstyle that when seen here in the States looks out of place. Unkept compared to western standards IMHO.

The second comment came from my Chinese friend who has traveled around Asia. He said that the less well off a country is, the more the guys tend to have long hair. He didn't say this in a demeaning or authorative manner, but there is some truth to that as well I think.

I know I will take some heat agreeing with Hunsolo but I think if you step back, you might agree. I don't think the way they do their hair is because they don't care, however. More or less it's in fashion, trendy or more readily accepted. You go to Bangkok and you will see very few blonde Thai women, Lydia is now the exception . You go to Ho Chi Minh City and it is a very hot trend there. When I think about the Thai women I know, they usually wear their hair 2 ways. Straight down, or tied back. Sometimes the stylists will layer their hair and they will color it. But when a Thai girl has her hair really done, it stands out in the crowd.

[Sheelldaw]

Thank you Mr. GOODfish for backing me up on this issue....Miss BUCKY you got me, I made a misprint there. you & BETTY both excuse me.1) I met my wife in PERSON on my first trip-before then I knew her from inter-net chats which we carried on for almost a year, and fone talks, and letters, and fotos..etc. 2) Well comparing Chinese GREAT wall and Bkk.`s "ancient city" is like comparing an Elephant & an Ant, the great wall can be seen from the moon, and is known throughout the world, and where outside Thailand does any one know about "ancient city", unless they have been there? 3) No actualy I am 50, but in very good physical shape and health, no smoking, no drinking, and working out 2-3 times a week...keeps me looking like a 30 year old and I am self learner when it comes to computers and inter-net use....and I still dont know how to use all the features on my p/c. 4) and thank you BUCKY for trip well -wish. If you came to a country thats completely different than yours, a place you have never been before, alphabet you could not read, nor understand the language...I think you would feel & act same way as I did....have a great day