The Thai Pirate - Thai Blog and Travel Stories

Thoughts About 'Face' (1)

Trying as one constantly does to understand that little bit more, reach that little bit further, into Thai culture, you often come across / hear mentioned 'face,' and the way that it affects Thai's. In fact you come across it so often, you may come to believe it is a driving factor in day to day life in Thailand.

I was flicking through some blog posts and came across Laurence Michael's excellent site focused on Phuket, intoPhuket, and read his post on 'How to act in Thailand'.

Quote: 'For a lot of Thai's the concept of face is of the utmost importance and they will likely do anything in their power to gain retribution over someone who makes them lose face. To make a Thai lose face, all you must do is make them look foolish, stupid or flat out wrong especially in the presence of other Thai's.'

This is also my understanding of face, but it got me thinking..... Although this is considered an important, if not unique, part of Thai culture, are we in the West so different?

For instance, think of the last time somebody (who wasn't family etc) deliberately set out to make you look foolish...

Didn't you try to seek retribution in some way..?

.. maybe, you still are?

Living out of a Suitcase

(pic: My son getting used to life on the road)

Apologies for the infrequency of posting on the TTP over the last few weeks / months, I have been driving the length and bredth of Thailand in pursuit of work, with little time for much adventure .. What do you know, as soon as things begin to calm, it is that time of year again and off the three of us go to England, to spend some time with the sensible side the family ! enjoying the cold, snow, and ample excuse to stay indoors and do nothing, but eat, drink and be merry!

I hope to post more in 2011. Wishing one and all a Happy Christmas and Amazing and Prosperous 2011. CHEERS!!!!

Watching the World Cup in Thailand

The World Cup is coming up and I will be watching it in the pub in Thailand (anyone know what TrueSport Channels its on? I'm guessing it's shared mainly between TS 1 & 2?)

South Africans are five hours behind the Thai's, meaning the group C fixtures for England will be:

England vs USA - 01.30 AM (12th June)
England vs Algeria - 01.30 AM (18th June)
England vs Slovenia - 21.00 PM (23rd June)

So a few late lagers then boys!

If we top the group (we will) we play the the runners up of Group D (germany / oz / serbia or ghana) and if we are runners up, we play the winners of Group D (germany)

My guess? we'll win group C, and go on to play the Serbs, who we'll trash 4-0, to really get the blood pumping ;)

We then take on either France or Argentina in the Quarter Finals.... (!)

If we get through that, it's probably Brazil, the Netherlands, or Italy for the Semi's.

My (optimistic) predictions?.. England vs Netherlands in the final.

We win 2-1.

And if that happens, I will be in Thailand when England win the World Cup...

That's almost as bad as losing the final!

An excellent site to follow the World Cup games / results etc (where I just got all this info) go to FIFA.com (groups)

Get involved in Rugby in Thailand - Pattaya 10's tournament 2010

Thai or Farang, all those living / working in Thailand should consider getting themselves involved in a rugby club in Thailand.

(Pattaya Panthers half time) There is no better place to make new Thai friends and meet fellow expats socially, whether you play (or even know) the game. The Pattaya 10's tournament took place this weekend and proved to be another incredibly enjoyable and action filled weekend. Teams travelled from the length and bredth of Thailand, from Chiang Mai in the North to Phuket in the South...

All the 'more well known' regions of Thailand will likely have some form of rugby club - so have a look / search to see if there is one nearby - each one will be a bastian of sensible, fun-loving folk (thai and farang), who enjoy the game and a good drink after.

(Panthers putting in the tackles vs the Thai Young Blood) Onto the game, it's clear to me now that the expat teams have to rely on their larger frames to 'slow things down' a bit in order to get results against the younger Thai sides.

Get too cocky in the backs, and you're opening yourself up for a whipping by the nippy Thai's, who are always fast, fit, and good with the ball. Once you've spent 5 minutes chasing fruitlessly after several Thai's in 32 degrees; there is a real risk of leaving the field on your back.. Cunning plans have to be hatched, and implemented, speed and fitness have to be nulified; and the black art of 'tieing up the Thai's' is a must for all successful expat sides (especially those that are getting on a bit).

The Thai's game equally has to be played with an according strategy - a good Thai side will keep the ball moving, quickly depleting the expats oxygen; hot, sweat filled brows and thumping hearts will quickly finish off most less mobile expat sides.

Aside from the game, these tournaments are always welcoming, busy, lively places; lots of food, drink and banter, great for meeting others and finding out what they get up to in LOS (there are some very interesting individuals / careers / stories around).

(a young panther looks on) If you live or travel to Thailand regularly, I really advise all to give your local rugby club a look. If you are in Pattaya, go and see the Pattaya Panthers (website here) You would be hard pressed to find a friendlier and more welcoming bunch.. For those in Bangkok there are also several clubs, the Bangkok Bangers and Southerners spring to mind.

Someone mentioned on Saturday how a rugby match between the yellows and reds would be an interesting way to solve the current political wranglings... Haha what a great idea... would love to see that match ....

And for anyone still reading, if you're planning a trip to Thailand, don't worry too much about the goings on in Bangkok, these people only want to have a go at each other - as long as you stay away from the areas directly affected, you're unlikely to notice anything different and you can still have an awesome holiday..

Just watch the roads....

Birthday Ceremony

Every year, on my youngest sisters birthday, the family invite monks to the house to make merit. Work is off the agenda, but everyone mucks in to cook, clean, organise and be happy and social. This being little sister's 20th birthday means that this is probably the last occasion this type of ceremony will take place.

So I took the chance to take some footage of the day.

In the foreground, you can see one of the head monks melting candle wax into a pot of water; this is to bless the water so it can be used to bless the congregation.

After the chanting is finished, the food that has been prepared is given to the monks, who all tuck in and have a good lunch. There will be plenty leftover for everyone else after they have finished.

Finally, everyone has a little sing song to celebrate Noon's birthday, and she cuts the cake (warning: singing is included in this video)