Confessions of Thailand’s not so invisible boy
You think you’re invisible, that nobody notices you, that you just blend in with everyone else. But you’re not; you never are. Being a foreigner in Thailand, people see you, they observe they watch they ponder. You’re in their country; why wouldn’t they notice you? You stand out like a cat among dogs.
The way Thais view foreigners on a day to day basis is something I’ve been wondering about. Maybe there are excited discussions going on, or perhaps it’s with indifference that a community observes its new additions.
I walked the twenty or so meters from my apartment to my office, dropped off some work, and returned not ten minutes later. There, under my door, was a note from my next door neighbour. The tone was one of concern, inquiring if I was lonely and needed somebody to talk to, to show me around, to be my friend. The note was written in a green crayon and was somehow touching.
I neither recall ever seeing my next door neighbour nor telling him or her my name, but he or she has been aware of my presence, despite me thinking I was invisible.
Techno’ tags: Life in Thailand
June 25th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
One of the wonderful memories I have from Thailand is visiting a sidewalk restaurant in Khon Kaen. I happen to be alone that day. I bought my food and went to sit down. There was a group of people sitting at a table nearby.
“Hey, come sit with us,” one of them said.
I was a bit surprised, given that it would rarely happen here.
Thai people are very kind that way.
~Chani
June 25th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Even so, this chummy attempt sounds a tad dubious to me. You need to recognise the difference between Khon Kaen and Phuket. The people in both cities tend to conduct themselves differently.
Have you ever seen the movie called “Facing window”? Be careful, some voyeuristic people might be watching you!
June 26th, 2007 at 2:30 am
Seems like Big Brother! “He is watching”.
June 26th, 2007 at 2:49 am
Aww you got a stalker..
June 26th, 2007 at 6:29 am
Khun Matt is a very smart guy and I’m sure he knows how to deal with this new friend. Be careful and good luck na kharb ;)
June 26th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
I was going to say: How lovely!
I am really going to miss the friendliness that I have encountered while living in Thailand. No harm in saying hello is there?
June 26th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Sooksiam, most of my experience of Thailand is in the northeast area. I love it for many reasons. I’m not so sure about Phuket. In fact, I’ve never been there. Your point is taken. :)
~Chani
June 27th, 2007 at 6:04 am
If you’re lucky maybe its a really attractive Thai girl who really does want to show you around and play in the sea….but probably not.