A few days back, I was conflicted whether to see my friend in Malaysia or staying in Thailand where I am slowly digging the vibe and fitting in. I have some fears about Malaysian immigration too and that they’re not really the best there is considering where I am from and their judgement of us. Though when I visited there, I really had no problem because it was a very short one yet this time, I was visiting for more than a week. But after thinking through which one is more economical, I decided that staying in Thailand would be my best bet. Not to mention, one of my friends there mentioned about some amount required to visit the country and I had one friend detained in immigration because he wasn’t bringing enough cash. I certainly didn’t want to be detained in Malaysia or blacklisted like my friend.

While visiting Thailand, the immigration was hassle free. I don’t know why they just let everyone in but one thing I am certain is that Bangkok itself is pretty modernised yet they maintain their local culture intact.

It’s something that I’ve come to respect in Thailand, that they are able to maintain their culture and everyone here speaks Thai and they don't really care if you’re local or not local. Or there’s another possibility that so far, they’re mistaken me as Thai and that’s why they tend to speak Thai to me.

If there was a country that I’d want to start a clean slate with, Thailand is one of my best bets. I fit in just like a local here as I look pretty much the same and as long as I don’t open my mouth, I’d pass on as one. My experience in Thailand has been pretty much positive. Mind you, I haven’t been on the islands yet or even followed the nomad trails where they go to Chiang Mai or the islands. I just feel like Bangkok and its conveniences swayed me. I certainly want to see the beach and all that but considering it’s something I often see back home, the idea appealed to me less.

There’s one quote that I remember from Gustave Flaubert “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”

To think of it, one of the biggest culture shocks so far is the legalisation of cannabis. Where I am from, it’s not legal at all and heavily punishable but in Thailand, it’s very accessible where you can find cannabis infused products even on 7/11. There are also many cafes, dispensaries with certification, and they’re not some back alley products. They are legal with certification and anyone can consume it. And what’s interesting to me is that the cigarette shelves are closed and they are considered as “evil” products that are damaging. Even in some places, no smoking is quite strict. Where I am from, it’s the other way round because in Indonesia, the tobacco industry is quite big and I am sure it has some effect on it too. Meanwhile here, the cannabis industry is thriving and I am sure adding more income to the country. I guess the neighbouring country can learn a thing or two from Thailand.

While I was here the whole time, I thought about how I’ve lived my life all these years. There are so many restrictions that I put on myself and I can't do it just because things may have gone wrong but sometimes it takes a bit of guts to recognize that individually, we deserve to be happy and be in places that make us happy.

I believe that home is where we make it to be and it’s all about feeling. Somehow over here, I fit in just fine and haven't been met with any racist treatment more than when I was in Bali where it seems like even as locals, we weren’t treated well. The worst case that happened to me while in Bangkok was just the taxis but it’s not everyone, the taxi scene doesn’t really ruin my whole experience in Thailand as there are many more options to commute.

As I wander through the capital of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and now Thailand, Thailand offers that accessibility and makes it easier to travel around. It’s not that bad in terms of heat as well and they are pedestrian friendly. The MRT and BTS system are easy to navigate. I know, their overall vibe is that they want to move faster but there’s less feeling of “toughness” which I refer to some kind of negative vibe that the people have. In Jakarta, people used to say it’s a rough place to be and you have to be always on guard all the time. Crazy shits happen in Jakarta and so are when I was visiting Kuala Lumpur. In Singapore, which is deemed to be one of the best urban living areas in SEA, they have that vibe where everyone is following rules and makes you feel bad if you don't follow it. But in Thailand, I suppose as long as you are staying with some common sense, the worst case is you get hustled by locals even so, when you come as a tourist, they’re not that bad. Maybe it all has to do with their karmic beliefs and the beliefs they have here.

So far, visiting some parts of Thailand reminds me so much of Yogyakarta with how things work over there. It’s also especially the people where they are also as friendly as in Yogyakarta and they’re willing to stop their day to help.There are areas where it’s mostly soulless and occupied by 9-5 folks but there are areas where it’s most local and you can immerse yourself in the culture of Thailand.

“ When you were in Bali, you said you love it, now you’re in Bangkok and loving it,” said my friend on the phone.

Now, I understand why people enjoy coming to thailand. It really has a magnet appeal that would pull you in. I might have seen it through rose coloured glasses but everywhere I go, I always know that shit happens everywhere, it’s just the matter of, are we attracting troubles or carefully navigating our way into the country. Much like when I was in Jakarta and heard stories about visitors being mugged and had to deal with robbery. It was not the first time I heard horror stories in a foreign country. I believe that anywhere in the world, there’s always good and bad but one thing for sure, I find beauty in every place I visit and I choose to focus on it.

I might have to see more places like the philippine, cambodia, and maybe vietnam in the coming future. I just need to find more reason to go there and see if anything really is pulling me there. Anyway, this is my rant and I hope you can learn a thing or two from my wandering.