travel
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In case you missed it, this is an earlier part of Derek’s story. In his own words and style. There are twists, turns, and confusions. You may notice that the narrative sometimes oddly flips from topic to topic. These are not editorial errors. That’s exactly how Derek spoke. It says much about his ego, lack…
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Part 7 of 14 in the Behind the Bamboo Curtain series on Derek’s Escape to Thailand. With the exception of breakfast, we seldom had a meal at home, as Toy preferred to go out for meals. Before she met me, it would have been at a roadside stall .This is where most Thais eat and the staple…
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An unusual post in the Behind the Bamboo Curtain series. From years of observation—and conversations with fellow anthropologists steeped in Thai society—I’ve come to a curious conclusion: Most Thais tend to think and act just one step ahead. Not two. Not three. Just one. That’s not to say strategic thinking is absent. I’m sure there…
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Beyond the Bamboo Curtain It seemed like longer, but Toy and I had been together for only nine days. Were we going too fast? Was I going too fast? Did I know enough about her after such a short time? Much of what I’d gleaned about Thailand had come from internet forums and from Richard’s…
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Matt Owens Rees is a seasoned travel writer and social/cultural anthropologist who has lived in Thailand for over 18 years. His writing aims to make Thai culture and lifestyle more accessible than some of the more academic texts—without sacrificing the depth needed to truly understand how this country and its people tick. He writes from…
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Part 3: A Thai Thief I had crammed a lot into my first five days in Thailand. I had been puzzled and perhaps confused by some of the differences I noticed between Thai and Western ways. Although the people seemed happy and relaxed, maybe there was something being concealed behind the smile that was on…
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Part 1 We’re Airborne This is the first in a 14-part series tracing Derek’s journey through the subtle, often unseen layers of Thai society. Each instalment offers a glimpse behind the bamboo curtain—where social cues, quiet tensions, and unspoken hierarchies shape daily life. We begin mid-air, with altitude and anticipation, as Derek’s story takes flight.…
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Different nationalities have different senses of humour. I recall being in a UK pub one overcast winter’s day. A few of us were sitting around the bar when the barman commented, “Looks like rain, doesn’t it?”The fellow next to me raised his glass and sipped his beer. “Yes—tastes like it too.” We all laughed, including…
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Last night’s Thai get-together was one of those laid-back, food-filled evenings. Everyone brought something—mostly northern dishes, homemade and proudly shared. The karaoke machine sat quietly at first, but after a few drinks, it found its groove. So did we. I rolled out of bed late this morning, still humming a luk thung tune I couldn’t…
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These photos of Life in a Rural Thai Village are published with the permission of Lode Engelen. Most of the descriptions are mine as the photos, on their own, don’t explain what the image is about. And, descriptions encourage readers to add their own comments and observations. That allows others to effectively join in the…