Is The Classic Traditional Thai A Dying Breed?

Rural Thais are people of the land, practical, hard-working and good with their hands. Self-reliance isn't necessarily valued as locals share a community spirit. But not all rural people are the same. Some refuse to give in to modern ways and cling
to the Thai values of old. I term them "the classic traditional Thai".

To say that the classic traditional Thai necessarily comes from a rural background would be wrong. It transcends region, socio-economic status, education level and skin colour. Whatever their station in life and whatever situation life throws at them,
they don't falter from the traditional, old-fashioned Thai values, a set of morals by which they live their lives. They may be modestly educated, inarticulate and even ignorant of what is beyond the borders of their district, but they make
up for this with those most admirable qualities – being hard-working, loyal (a trait not commonly found within these borders) and honest. Honour and integrity are everything to them. Image and face are important like they are to all Thais, but
for the classic traditional Thai, nothing trumps honour and integrity.

They're socially conservative but critically, they're not elitist. The true classic traditional Thai is never self-indulgent, but rather generous and kind. Promoting their own viewpoint, agenda or even the Thai way just isn't the done thing.
They do what's proper while striving to improve. It's a set of moral guidelines, not a specific way of doing things.

They are relics from a bygone era, those who guidebooks talk about but whom you may never meet. Yes, they do still exist. For the time being at least.

The classic traditional Thai I know best is "Old mother Stick", Mrs. Stick's mother. Growing up in rural Chiayaphum, she moved to the city of Korat as a young lady and married a good man. Her husband was hard-working, the only breadwinner
in the family, but died in a tragic accident leaving her with every mother's nightmare, four young ones and no income.

We so often hear of young Thai women entering the bar trade to look after their child after the father did a runner or the grim reaper came calling. It's such a common story you could be forgiven for thinking it the norm. It isn't. For the classic
traditional Thai, it would be UNTHINKABLE to enter the bar trade. Not just for them personally, but for anyone in their clan. Absolutely, totally unthinkable! Honour is everything. Even the suggestion of it would be horrifying.
It would go against every value they know. They would tough it out and work all the hours that God sends to make ends meet rather than do that. The easy option is not an option at all.

So poor old Mother Stick did the hard yards. For years. She started out with a table, a chair and a sewing machine out the front of their rented accommodation repairing clothes. She fixed clothes by day and raised the kids by night. Alone. She worked
hard and invested what she made into a small neighbourhood store selling general goods which she ran while sewing. The profits weren't great but living frugally she was eventually able to buy a small piece of land on what was then the edge
of town and build a small house for the family. She continued to work hard, day after day, and saved enough money to buy some plots of land at a time when real estate prices were on the move. She made some shrewd decisions resulting in decent
returns. The family home was expanded, all four kids completed high school and she was able to put each of them through university, three to Master's degree level, one to PhD. The academic achievements of her flock bring her immense pride.

It's all the more incredible that this was from a lady who completed only the minimum compulsory schooling at that time – 4 years – a lady who does not speak, read nor understand a single word of English. She is the classic traditional Thai and it
is those values that have brought her great success under trying circumstances in that toughest of jobs, motherhood.

When I visited New Zealand earlier this year I was introduced by a friend to a classic traditional Thai and his wife. Resident in New Zealand for 20 years, I was amazed at how he had assimilated into society and adapted to the local way of life. Thais
generally don't travel well and struggle to settle outside their homeland. They soon find out that trying to lead the Thai way of life abroad is like trying to play soccer with a rugby ball. It doesn't work. Of course there were things
they missed from home but as time passed, they adapted and embraced the kiwi way. Some Thais find they have to change not just their ways but their mindset to survive in Farangland. Certain behaviour that may be ok in Thailand
is simply unacceptable in Western society. Being a classic traditional Thai is not about doing things the Thai way all the time. It's about doing things the right way. The classic traditional Thai is in fact quite adaptable.

Getting back to this fellow, he warned me about those who hung out at the local Thai temple that I was planning to visit. As he told the story, many of the Thais there were just plain bad. In his eyes – and these were his words – 70% or more of the Thais
in New Zealand are no good. He would never associate with them in Thailand so why should he associate with them there? Liars, scammers and cheats embroiled in unseemly business or nefarious activities, he didn't want anything to do with them.
He preferred to hang out with his Kiwi friends.

The classic traditional Thai may not be as overtly friendly as many Thais, particularly those who deal with tourists. They may take the time to get to know you and to size you up before they allow you to get close to them, and vice versa. They are wary
about who they get involved with, who they do business with and who they socialise with. They know that the people they are close to are a reflection of who they are.

What I personally like about the classic traditional Thais is that they tend to be somewhat introspective and call things as they see it. Just as the fellow I refer to in NZ slammed the majority of Thais in Kiwiland, so too does Old Mother Stick mouth
off about "that lot up there in Isaan"! Sitting in her home in the city of Korat, she, like many natives of Korat, don't like what goes on amongst those who cut corners or take the easy option.

Classic traditional Thais often give a refreshingly honest perspective of life in Thailand and their willingness to voice concerns about their society may mirror the very things long-term foreigners resident in Thailand complain about.

With Thailand changing rapidly, the traditional ways are fast becoming a thing of the past and with that the classical traditional Thai is fast becoming a dying breed. Young Thais are incredibly impressionable, and as many aspects of Western and North
Asian cultures permeate Thai society, they are turning their backs on the traditional ways.

As Thailand changes, and as money, or at least visible achievement and success become more important, so the classic traditional Thai is becoming a dying breed. And that's a real shame.

FROM STICK'S INBOX (These are emails from readers and what is written here was not written by Stick.) Preference may be given to emails which refer to the previous week's column.

EMAIL OF THE WEEK – Acknowledging the real issues.

A fool and his money.

Childish and pathetic.

The delights of drinking with a showgirl.

Another scam to add to the list.

Marketing, Thai-style.

Postcard from Vietnam.

The landlord obviously wants the current leaseholders – the bar and restaurant owners – out of Washington Square and this past week eviction notices were served. But following a meeting mid-week, many of those running businesses in the square insistent
that they will remain in business for another couple of years, as per the terms of the current leases. Some say that Washington Square area has a quaint sort of charm but to me it's a dump. When the axe finally falls, Bourbon Street will
be the major loss – but then I expect Doug to relocate before that happens.

It's the end of an era in Soi Cowboy with Tony's Bar opening tonight for the very last time. Mark won't be there, unfortunately, so Cockney Kob will host the final night. Tony and Kob have been at the helm of Tony's Bar for 6½
years and will bow out with a party tonight which, Cheap Charlies please note, will come with free food. They'd like to pass on
a big thanks to all who supported them over the years, a period in which Cowboy evolved from a back alley local favourite to Bangkok's premier farang nightlife area. When they took over the lease, there was little in the way of neon, no Arab
and it was Long Gun that set the standard. Boy oh boy, is that a long time ago! The new leaseholder will have to sink in some serious dough to compete which is something that Mark and Kob wouldn't do with the lease expiring and no guarantee
of an extension. So Tony's remained something a retro gogo, a small modestly decorated bar in the style of the Cowboy of old – cheap drinks and friendly, comely, hassle-free women. Tony's never really reached great heights but it did
have its followers. In fairness, it was never really bought as a money making exercise, more an experience – and no doubt the owners got that.

There were many predictions made about how the recession would mean less tourists which would result in bars going under. This IS happening and when I heard this week of a Pattaya beer bar for sale at 50,000 baht, it rammed the message home. 50,000 baht
would barely cover the chattels and the stock. I can only guess that some beer bars are doing so badly that merely paying the rent is a struggle, let alone actually anything. Anyone fancy joining the ranks of bar owners for the tiny investment of 50,000 baht?!

The manager of Coyote bar has taken my advice and shown himself to be one of the brighter bulbs in the room! The visual impairment I wrote about last week has ended, much to the delight of dancers and customers alike. The popular mamasan
that was transferred from Coyote to Sheba's is back and with her comes the hope she can lure in some quality talent. Monday night they were doing a good trade as punters were enjoying the all night happy hour as well as the restored view.

Seemingly resting on its laurels, Long Gun plays the same music night after night and the girls perform the same shows as their foresisters have since, oh, the late '90s! If ever there was a bar that needed to reinvent itself, this is it. Whether this is a planned part of the Long Gun experience or not I do not now but some dancers are tired of it, relaying to customers that the bar is not as popular as it used to be with longer-term punters simply saying they're bored of the same shows and music night after night. Management has added beverage and checkbin holders slightly below and along the stage. This apparently will add a few extra seats as during some shows the stage is cleared as the girls spin around and slam their legs down, often just inches away from customers and their drinks.

In Tilac bar, an avid Stickman reader up from Singapore was about to do a privates investigation of Miss #95 as per my many recommendations. He had quite a party going with checkbins falling out of the tumbler and Miss #95 was awfully happy, throwing back drink after drink. When asked if she was worried about her customer's performance after all that drinking, she just smiled and said "If wallet him have power I happy!"

Sheba's has been slowly inching back their start time as, at a guess, the girls are a little more punctual than they used to be. It now seems to be about 7:45 PM. Oh, and Miss M from Coyote, that would be #23 with the big jugs, has followed some of her sisters to Suzy Wong's.

The next party being held at The Strip in Patpong's soi 2 is called The Blues Brothers And Sisters Party and will take place this coming Friday.

More than a few complain about barfine prices in Bangkok but in fairness, you can find venues just as pricey elsewhere. What about that home of rough trade, Far East A Gogo in Pattaya's Soi Post Office? I don't know what I was thinking sticking
my head in there this week, but my eyes almost popped out my head when I saw that they have an afternoon barfine rate of 850 baht before it drops to 550 baht after 5 PM and then a reasonable 300 baht after 8 PM. Forgetting the prices of barfines
which I thought were steep, don't expect the specimens on stage to resemble a beauty pageant.

It's one of the bars I don't like for I prefer not to see the Baby Dolls-style entertainment, but I hear that Windmill Bar in Soi Diamond is offering 5 ping pong balls for 25 baht. Again, it's not my thing – but it might
be yours.

There's space for a gogo bar above Windmill and a sign in Windmill's toilet states that the gogo bar upstairs is avail for immediate takeover, a mere 2 million baht needs to pass hands with no rent to pay for a year. I'm always
a bit cynical about bars upstairs – punters like to push the curtain aside and see what's going on without having to climb a flight of stairs – but with that said, Heavens Above just a little down the soi is proof that such venues can be
successful.

Shenanigans in Jomtien celebrate their first birthday on Thursday August 13 and in Pattaya their second birthday in the new location on Friday September 4. They feature live music every Friday night and Sunday afternoon, a farang duo which is unique to
Thailand.

I have yet to check it out but am hearing more and more about First A Gogo in Pattaya, or First A Gogo Lounge as they prefer to be called, which can be found on soi 8 in Pattaya between Beach and Second roads. This could well be my sort of place for the owner tells me it is not suitable for the full-on mongers that just want to feel up or abuse the girls in the bar – there are plenty of venues which will accommodate you lot. The music is older and the volume at a level where you can actually hold a conversation. Is there demand for such a civilized gogo in Pattaya? Time will tell. The initial set up costs have exceeded 5 million baht so they are not going into it half-heartedly. It's interesting to hear that a major unforeseen expense was sorting out the licenses required. In its previous guise, they had apparently been operating without the required paperwork under a bunch of different owners. The only way to receive the proper licences required was to pay the outstanding fines – which dated back over 5 years – and then apply for the correct licences, a process that couldn't be circumvented. Authorities told them that a new licence would only be considered once the outstanding fines had been paid in full, irrespective of the fact that they are a new company and had nothing whatsoever to do with previous owners. (It's worth considering this if you are getting into the business.) Anyway, enough about their problems getting legal, this is a laid back gogo bar, sorry, gogo lounge, and for those of you with the cheapness gene, happy hour runs from 7 – 10 PM with all house beers and spirits including mixers priced at a reasonable 70 baht. Check it out!

From time to time you hear of a Western guy involved with a non-Buddhist Thai. 90%+ of the population is Buddhist, a few % are Muslim and about 1% is Christian. You might think that if your lady friend was Christian then that might be a positive thing as, most Westerners who are religious are, in all likelihood, Christian. But to be honest, I am not sure that it is a positive thing. It is my experience that Thai Christians are simply not as fun loving as their Buddhist sisters – and let's face it, that infectious fun-loving nature is a big part of the reason we're attracted to them. I have no idea why Thai Christians seem to be less fun loving than Thai Buddhists. Maybe it is some of the guilt that seems to be an inherent part of being Christian? I'd better shut up. Religion bores me to tears and I really don't want any religious nut jobs emailing me.

The fastest Internet speed commonly offered to Joe Public in Bangkok was, until recently, 8 Mbps. That has recently increased to 12 Mbps. Whether one will actually get this speed or not, I do not know, but one friend gets 7 Mbps on his claimed 8 Mbps
connection, which all things considered is pretty good. The days of super slow internet in Thailand are long behind us.

If you're a chili fan, try the Chili with rice at the Crossbar which you can find a couple of hundred metres up from Soi Cowboy, just between Sukhumvit soi 23 and Asoke. The proprietor was encouraged by a number of customers to enter it into the
July 4th chili competition but couldn't find out how to enter, whether he needed a big pot or just small samples or what. Look out next year! He has got his eyes firmly on the prize and a short time with Britney Spears – or whatever American-themed
prize they offer.

Away from the downtown areas, there seem to be fewer Westerners around. Over our way, a bit of a hike from downtown, you used to see a few long noses who had somehow strayed from the tourist areas but these days I might not see one in the neighbourhood
for days. But perhaps that is not a bad thing? I helped this really creepy, rotten-teethed Canadian who was obviously lost before I had to scamper away when after 10 minutes he considered us best mates.

I don't like to eavesdrop but sometimes you just can't help but overhear conversations and oftentimes in Thailand they are humorous. There I was in a Soi Diana eatery, just me and four Brits at another table. They kept looking my way until they
thought I wasn't listening, before resuming their conversation about selling steroids online and dispatching them all around the world. These guys had obviously been doing it for a while and knew the best places to buy locally, how to package
to get them through Customs in different countries and so on. Once in full flow were awfully excited about what they were up to and how successful they were. They were also boasting about how much money they made. It's funny what you hear
in these parts.

Yes, to end the argument at long last, this video is proof that Thai girls do like black men!

Gary is selling the domain name ThaiGF.com for $350. If you think that's a good deal, drop him an email at : garylach@gmail.com.

In a recent column I wrote that any foreigner arrested in Thailand could only post bail with cash, specifically Thai baht. A few courts in Bangkok are now accepting credit card payments to post bail and it looks as though this will become widespread and,
I guess, eventually be a feature at all courthouses nationwide.

We're far from the peak of the rainy season – figure September for Bangkok when it rains most days – but this has to have been the wettest year I can remember. The rain may keep temperatures down and may feel like it cleans the air but the way it
locks up Bangkok traffic early evening makes it a real pain when you want to make plans to meet mates. Of course the locals seem to cope as this snap shows.

Stickman reader's story of the week is the superb Myanmar photo trip report by Bangkok Steve.

Quote of the week comes from a reader talking about his upcoming trip – "I need a break to drink warm Heineken and be molested by middle-aged women."

Thailand's reputation as the Nigeria of Asia seems fair, even if these fraudsters were of Chinese origin.

There's more mileage being had from the Suwannaphum scams with the Associated Press covering it now.

Here's a video of the God Squad outside Nana, preaching to the naughty boys!

Marriage scams in Australia and sadly, a Thai woman is mentioned.

An Aussie drug smuggler gets life in the big house!

Here's an interesting piece about plans to resolve the crisis in the south.

Prostitutes are considered more trustworthy in China than government officials and scientists!

Ask Mrs. Stick

Mrs. Stick is happy to answer any questions regarding inter-racial relationships as well as cultural peculiarities that may be confusing or baffling you.

Question 1: I am an American living near Ubon Rachathani with my Thai wife and twin daughters age 3. Soon I will have to decide on the children's education and your column confirmed my biggest fears about the Thai educational system. This cultural
that is so steeped in saving face translates into an educational philosophy that discourages asking questions and class discussions which leads to dull minds. I was in Bangkok recently and spoke to a teacher at one of the leading international
schools. He told me his own son, who attends the school, was told by the Thai teacher who teaches Thai not to ask him questions. Those of us who cannot afford tuition at the international schools are in a real bind. I fear my only option will
be to go home (America) when the girls are school age. This will totally disrupt our lives because my wife does not want to live any further than a kilo from mama and papa. Any suggestions. Maybe you could print this so others might be able to
give me advice.

Mr. Stick says: This is a tough question. I don't have kids and don't plan on having any so perhaps I am not the best person to ask, but what I can tell you is that there is NO WAY I would want to send a child to 99% of the schools. There are
exceptions of course and the schools at the top end are very good. If I had a kid – and a lot more cash – I would send him / her to Bangkok Pattana. My reason for choosing that school is that it, along with ISB (International School of Bangkok), is generally regarded as one of the best two schools in the country. Bangkok Pattana follows the British curriculum, which I personally prefer, whereas ISB uses the American curriculum which would probably be your preference. These schools are expensive and expect to part with in excess of 500,000 baht a year in fees with various other costs on top of that. If you want your children to have the best possible opportunities in the future, these are, in my opinion, the best two schools. I truly believe that giving your kids the best education possible is about the best thing you can do for them. Conversely, I believe that sending them to a mediocre school is an avoidable evil. There are of course other good schools but these are the best two as far as I am concerned. Personally though, I would rather bring up kids in the West. I can't help but think they will be better off overall – but that is merely my personal perspective.

Question 2: When buying gold for an engagement in Thailand, is it ok to take my girlfriend along with me to help select something she will like for sure or is it better to surprise her and make a selection of gold items myself? If so, in your opinion,
would you suggest I buy a necklace and a bracelet combination for her or is it more a tradition to buy a single necklace of whatever gold baht weight e.g. between 5 – 10 baht weight? The main reason I would like to know is simply because I could
ask Gip's best friend Mai or even her aunty but I think an individual person's advice sometimes is better.

Mrs. Stick says: You should take your girlfriend with you or take her aunty. They can advise you what is the right style of gold. Also, buy the gold in Thailand and not in your country!

I pride myself on updating and maintaining this website in a timely manner. The weekly column is almost always published on time, just before 6 PM Bangkok time, readers' stories are uploaded every day and I do my level best to reply to readers'
emails quickly. However, work-related travel over the next two weeks is going to make it difficult for me to be my usual efficient self! Emails might not be replied to as quickly as I would like and there is a chance that next week's column
might not be published at the usual time. I will do my very best to get it up on time, but realistically, I think it may be late. So don't be too concerned if the weekly is late next week – it will appear at some time that evening!

Your Bangkok commentator,

Stick