Kohn Kaen Thailand is an anomaly.
I’m in a city, 9 hours by train, 5 by bus and 50 minutes by plane away from Bangkok. Yes, I’ve escaped the dread locked, drugged out, hasn’t showered since last May footloose types. Yet, I feel to have traded one end of the dark life spectrum for another.
I expected a small town and got a small city full of grumpy, old white men with young nurses sans starchy uniforms. The men aren’t quite the busload of tottering retirees, but you wonder how much life they’ll have left with all of the sex, beer and cheap living they’ve got going on.
Still, all is not lost for Thailand’s normality. There’s massive day markets in place of farm land eating, overly priced malls to explore. Noodle shops along most every street offer the finest Chinese-like hot pot ingredients sans soup for this dry food lover. And, in alleyways that cut away from the street grid, they offer up close views of schools, locally made goods and tasty treats.
Firmly entrenched in all of this are the Thai people. Their real self though seemed hidden until you revealed a bit of yourself first. As I walked the streets, no smile came freely from locals until I greeted them with one of my own and “sa-wat dee krup” or hello.
I wonder how this land of smiles has become a land of poker faces. I have some thoughts, but want to experience more of Thailand before saying more.
Tomorrow, into the countryside my friends and I will to travel to Prasat Puey Noi and Phon.
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1/26/2010 – End of the day recap. Wow, there’s lots of old white dudes running around. Some even have their expat wives along.
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Michael
Jack Chen
