absolutelyBangkok archive · Being farang
Originally published Nov. 23, 2007
W. just spent a few days in Thailand — her first since many years.
After the half business, half leisure trip, she sent us this letter.
Some serious food for thought:
“Dear BangkokDan
My stay in Thailand, especially Hua Hin, was very nice. Back home it’s foggy. But I still do carry the sun in my heart.
Most interesting, that Land of the Free, how Thailand works at first glance. Human manpower obviously is worth nothing. And don’t dare to expect too much. The question is: What was there first?
I was amazed how excessively resources are squandered in Thailand. One could do much more out of it. But obviously what is, is enough.
Tell me, what are all the many young people doing actually? And are the people really as happy as it is said?
To me it looks like this isn’t the case. But perhaps it is much better in Thailand because there aren’t that many options, there isn’t too much that’s desirable and worthwhile.
Looks to me that this can be rather pleasant in comparison to the many (alleged) challenges we’re facing here in the West.
I leave Thailand after my short visit with more questions than answers.
Yours –
W.”
What to make of W’s letter?
After many years in Thailand one may not see the wood for the trees.
She got some clear points we easily oversee after living for a while in Thailand.
Not easy to keep your mind sharp and alert among all the neglects around you and all those temptations.
The big negative of Thailand being that there is hardly any negative.
Take other countries, where the scarcity of resources and harsh climate force the people to think more and struggle to survive.
In Thailand you throw away a seed. Next day it will grow.
There’s plenty of everything.
Or were you ever that silly trying to, let’s say, properly dispose of a battery in Thailand? You’d be considered a freak.
Just throw those things away!
There’s too much of everything.
For now.
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