Seven things I’d like to bring to Thailand
Now, before anybody thinks I’m getting nostalgic – I’m not. But there are some things I took for granted when I was in England and I kind of miss them. I’m not saying that I want to go back and live in the UK, but if there were seven things I could import to Thailand, this is what they’d be:
The BBC
The BBC is great for so many reasons. While I can get BBC World and log on to the BBC website, it’s not the same. I’d love to be able to watch Eastenders; catch an episode of Neighbours; sit down and watch the news; listen to the Sunday Surgery on Sunday night; and get infuriated at how annoying Sarah Cox is.
Pickled onion Monster Munch
Possibly the best crisps in the world. I did buy a pack from Central World in Bangkok a couple of months back, but they cost me 50 baht and were stale.
My mother’s cooking
Home cooking is the ultimate comfort. It’s a world of sensory memories that crop up every now and then. What I would give for my mum’s spaghetti bolognese, roast lamb or cheese on toast. You can get all of these things in Thailand, but they sure don’t taste like they did in the Crook-family household.
Going to the pub
Nobody else in the world has ever fully grasped the concept of going to the pub. Pubs are multipurpose buildings where English people spend most of their lives. Nothing to do? Go to the pub. Finish work early? Down the pub. On a night out? Let’s meet at the pub. The feeling of walking into a familiar pub with friends is something you can’t recreate in Thailand.
My friends
I’ve lost touch with a lot of people now. Occasionally old faces pop up on Facebook, but in general, people move on, they change their email addresses, and things change. It’s no big deal, but you hope that those people you hold memories of still remember you.
Cider
I used to drink cider every day. When I drink it in Thailand it feels like a special occasion because it’s always imported and it’s always expensive. I’d like to have my cider-drinking habit back to being part of my daily routine. Even cheap cider would do. Even freakin’ White Lightning would suffice.
Normal cats
There was a time when I was quite fond of cats, but in Thailand, the only cats I come across are horrible little monsters. It’s not the cats’ fault, but I have no time for these no-tailed ruffians posing as felines. If I was walking through the streets of Sheffield and I saw a cat I’d stop and pick it up; here in Thailand I’m lucky if I can run away without the cat attacking me, or at least glaring at me.
So what would you like to import for your Thailand-expat experience?
Techno’ tags: Thailand
August 29th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Maybe you will like this if you haven’t seen it already (or you may like it and have already seen it) in any case, here it actually is: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6322151172263809254
On a scale of 1 (writing the local newsletter of royston vasey) and 10 (being a foreign correspondent for the beeb) clearly you are an 11. That is, the conveyer of the BBC’s dominion over millions of peoples world view through an illegal south east asian cable network racketeered by you and some friendly pirating types from a mystical archipelago..
oh yes, someone died in neighbours and then someone got married. rinse, repeat - hahaha … but madge. oh she will forever be baking me cakes in my heart.
August 29th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
… also libby. *gufaws*
August 29th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
You obviously ain’t got cable/satellite, dude.
I got BBC 1 to 4, BBC World, BBC Food, BBC Entertainment, CBBC, UKTV, BBC Kids (always on a rerun), and BBC Canada. Woohooo!
August 29th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
I think I’ll miss easy contact with friends most. Oh.. and alternative newspapers. ;)
Peace,
~Chani
August 29th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
I thought you love cats! Look! doesn’t she look lovely on your lap? err?
August 29th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
I just came home from the pub, we left work early. Though I had beer instead of cider…….
August 29th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
You obviously did not keep track of the news. This is going to disappoint you a bit as “Neighbours” is moving to Channel 5 UK next year. So, you have to import one more thing to Thailand as a consequence of the failure to agree between the BBC and its distributor, Fremantle Media.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6669769.stm
“Neighbours everybody loves good neighbours even though the programme is moving to another channel”
Bringing the pub to Thailand is an interesting idea; but I hope you are not going to bring a binge drinking culture here as well.
How about importing Waterstone’s bookshops to Thailand?
August 30th, 2007 at 7:45 am
Mmmmmm. Pickled Onion Monster munch - totally with you there. But I’d have to say the things I miss most are:
Dairy Milk Chocolate
Humous
Cheese (yes I know you can get it but not the same quantity or variety.
Is the fact that all these are food items awful?……..sorry mum!
August 30th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Ribena and Custard Creams for me, although Ribena does make a very occasional appearence at Villa Market from time to time.
I was really suprised to find Breakways and Jacobs Orange Club biscuits last weekend at Central Food Hall. Geez - it sounds like my life revolves around food !
September 4th, 2007 at 3:58 am
Can’t believe UKNova hasn’t been mentioned regarding BBC and other UK telly (is it censored?). UBC only serves me news nowadays.
September 16th, 2007 at 8:29 am
Poor little farang. Get a job at home will fix all your urges.
November 10th, 2007 at 7:44 am
The only thing i miss about England is that feeling when you go to Gatwick and get on a plane and fly out of the place.
I do miss my West Ham though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx7uuzXVEF0