The 15 Oddest Things in Thailand (You'd NEVER guess!)

Living in Thailand has given me some insight into the culture that you just wouldn't see if you were traveling through or staying only in the tourist part of town. This list composes all the weird things I've seen since I've been here! Not weird as in bad not weird as in better, just weird and different and awesome! 

1. Gangman Style

While Americans are looking to Europe for fashion and hit list advice, Thailand is looking toward Korea! Thai's love the beautiful Koreans that cover their magazines, television and advertisements! When this song comes on THEY GO CRAZY! (crazier than the US) They love it!! Watch out, they have memorized the dance moves.

2. Power Lines

Steps to plug your tv in:

1. No need to call the electric company

2. Just buy a cord

3. Climb to the top of the pole

4. Wrap it around another wire

5. When you're done with your tv, don't worry, just leave the cord there. Sooner or later it will fall down on its own. 

The tangled mess of power lines!

3. Tuk Tuks

Thai's know that these little cars aren't just for kids! Want to feel like Mario everyday? They've even added a motor so you no longer have to peddle with your feet! 

4. Sugar in Everything!

We've gotten used to asking for no sugar in our coffee, fruit shakes, tea, pad thai and pretty much everything else! Thai's have a REAL sweet tooth, they seem to think if its not drowning in sugar its not edible! No sugar? Do you want sugar water? Syrup? Condensed Milk? NOOO! You're killing me..

Thai Tea-the sugariest of them all!!

5. Whitening Cream

I scramble every summer to look tanner than my friends by the time school starts. Sun! Sun! Sun!

In Thailand, stores are full of whitening cream to lighten their dark skin! 

Before & After, you'd never see that in the states!

6. Bugs are bugs...

Ants, Cockroaches and unknown mutant bugs OH MY! Thailand has a lot of bugs but Thai's don't seem to notice them, no big deal. Ants in your food? Protein. The more the merrier. Cockroach by your foot? Move. No screaming, no running, just a bug. 

Can't beat them? Eat em'!!

Fried bugs on sale everywhere, not just for tourists!

I tried some fried bamboo worms, not bad! 

7. The Night Comes Alive

The streets of Thailand undergo a unique transformation unlike anywhere I've ever traveled. During the day the streets will be empty, maybe a vendor here or there selling meat on a stick. But at night the streets are lined with food vendors and retailers of endless variety. In Bangkok you'll see the mobile bars that line the streets and in Chiang Mai you can enjoy the night markets and trendy shops that are only open when the sun goes down!

The night market in Chiang Mai

VW bus Mobile Bar in Bangkok

8. Breakfast food..What breakfast food?

There are certain things that American's eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Thai's eat fried meat, rice or some combination of the two. Maybe a ham or tuna sandwich. 

I miss designated breakfast food.

Not breakfast food.

9. Fruit Banned from Buildings: 

Durian, the worst smell ever.

The native Durian fruit that grows around Thailand is banned from most hotels, public transportation and shared buildings. From wikipedia; "The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust, and has been described variously as rotten onions, turpentine, raw sewage, and smelly socks."

10. Gruesome Pictures in Thai Newspapers

Normally, US Newspapers don't show pictures of dead people. It's disturbing and although we know someone died, we don't like to see it. A blanket over their face will suffice but not in Thailand. In order to sell copies, Thai newspapers like to show everything. No censorship here! Although on T.V they blur out guns and weapons. 

11. Squatter Toilets

Do you know what a squatter toilet is??? Always a fun experience the first time you use it! Thai's love squatter toilets soo much that businesses have to put up these signs! So oppressive...

12. Asian Gnomes

I love these little guys and have collected quite the photo album of Asian Gnomes. Which one would you put by your front door?

Oops..that's not a gnome..just a cute kid, wow those gnomes are crazy accurate.

13. 5555 hahahah

As Spaniards type JaJaJaJa (because J makes the "h" sound), Thai's just type 5555 since 5 is pronounced "ha"!

14. Lilo & Stitch, no screw Lilo, just Stitch.

Do you remember Lilo & Stitch that disney movie about the little Hawaiian girl and that weird blue bat/sloth monster thing that ate everything? Thailand is obsessed! We see Stitch everywhere. We once counted the amount of Stitch themed items in a bus in southern Thailand. Thirteen! Clipboards, stickers, more stickers, bookmarks, notebooks, keychains. I don't get it! Plus Lilo is nowhere to be found, apparently they don't like Lilo...she was obnoxious, but so is that Stitch hat. I guarantee that is not for halloween but for daily wear. Thai's are into that.

15. Thailand, Land of Smiles..you mean Selfies

Selfie: A picture taken of yourself that is planned to be uploaded to Facebook or any other sort of social networking website. You can usually see the person's arm holding out the camera in which case you can clearly tell that this person does not have any friends to take pictures of them. A selfie is usually accompanied by a kissy face or the individual looking in a direction that is not towards the camera

-by Urban Dictionary.

Thai's seems to always be taking pictures of themselves mostly in ridiculous places that no one should care about. Getting in the taxi...Selfie! Sitting down to eat....Selfie! Bought coffee...Selfie! Smiling....Selfie! Walking...Selfie! Standing...Selfie! Sleeping...Selfie! 

It takes ALL of my willpower not to photobomb....but they pushed me too far...