10 Wacky Things About Thai Culture

Summary

In this video, Drew Binsky shares his experiences living in Thailand for the past eight months. He highlights the country's unique culture and customs, contrasting them with life in the U.S. From the acceptance of ladyboys to the obsession with white skin, the quirky street food, and bizarre traditions like sniffing menthol products and ice in beer, Drew dives into ten fascinating aspects of Thai life. He reflects on the warm, welcoming nature of the people, the vibrant food scene, and the affordable lifestyle, offering a fun and insightful glimpse into the diverse culture of Thailand.

Takeaways

• 😀 Thailand offers an amazing lifestyle with beautiful nature, delicious food, friendly locals, and affordable prices.
• 😀 Living in Thailand as an American means adapting to the country's unique customs, traditions, and lifestyle, which is very different from the U.S.
• 😀 The original Red Bull, which is only available in Thailand, is sweeter and reportedly stronger than its global counterpart.
• 😀 Ladyboys (transgender women) are highly accepted and visible in Thai society, with a high level of tolerance for them in public spaces.
• 😀 Unlike in the U.S., where tan skin is seen as attractive, Thai culture prioritizes having very pale skin, with many people using whitening products.
• 😀 Thai people have a unique obsession with sniffing menthol-based products called Jadom, which are used to help with tiredness and to wake up.
• 😀 Thailand has unusual flavors of Lay's potato chips, with options like spicy lobster and hot chili squid available in stores.
• 😀 Street food is a huge part of Thai culture, and many vendors operate from portable restaurants on two wheels, allowing them to move around freely.
• 😀 Red Fanta is used in spirit houses as an offering, but it’s considered highly disrespectful to drink it.
• 😀 Thai people commonly put ice in their beer to keep it cold, but it dilutes the flavor, so it’s important to ask for no ice if you prefer your beer without it.
• 😀 Bangkok is known for its quirky themed cafes, such as unicorn, Hello Kitty, and animal cafes, making it a fun place for unique dining experiences.
• 😀 Thais give people playful, often random nicknames based on colors, animals, or objects, which adds to the fun and personalized culture of the country.
• 😀 It is considered highly offensive to touch anyone’s head in Thailand, as the head is regarded as the cleanest and most sacred part of the body.

Q & A

Why has Thailand been the author's home for the past eight months?

The author loves the vibe in Thailand, with its beautiful nature, friendly locals, delicious food, and affordable prices.

What is the original Red Bull in Thailand, and how does it differ from the version in the U.S.?

The original Red Bull, found only in Thailand, tastes sweeter and is reportedly stronger than the version in the U.S.

What are 'ladyboys' in Thai culture, and how are they perceived?

'Ladyboys' are transgender women in Thailand, and they are widely accepted in Thai society. The culture here has a high tolerance for ladyboys, with many people not noticing the difference due to their beauty.

What is the cultural obsession with white skin in Thailand?

In Thailand, having pale skin is considered attractive, and many locals spend significant amounts of money on whitening creams, body bleaching, and even IV injections to achieve this look.

What is the purpose of 'jadom' in Thailand?

Jadom is a menthol product that Thais sniff through their nostrils to help them stay awake and refreshed, similar to a stronger version of Vicks Vapor Rub.

What are some unusual Lay's potato chip flavors found in Thailand?

Thailand offers unique Lay's potato chip flavors like spicy lobster and hot chili squid, which can be found in 7-Elevens and supermarkets.

Why are portable restaurants common in Thailand?

Street food is a staple in Thailand, and many vendors operate mobile food carts or small restaurants on two wheels. This allows them to move around freely and avoid paying rent.

What is the significance of red Fanta in Thailand?

Red Fanta is used as an offering in spirit houses throughout Thailand, where people leave it every morning as part of a tradition. However, it is considered disrespectful to drink it.

What is unusual about ice in beer in Thailand?

In Thailand, it's common to put ice in beer to keep it cold, but this can dilute the taste of the beer. If you don’t want ice, you must specifically ask not to have it.

What are bazaar cafes in Bangkok known for?

Bangkok is known for its quirky themed cafes, such as unicorn cafes, Hello Kitty cafes, and animal cafes that feature small pets like rabbits and puppies.

What is a unique feature of Thai people's nicknames?

Many Thai people are given modern, creative nicknames at birth, which can range from colors and animals to science fiction movies or even random objects.

What is considered offensive when it comes to touching in Thailand?

In Thailand, touching someone’s head is considered highly offensive as the head is seen as the cleanest and most sacred part of the body.