I've been living in Thailand for a decent percentage of my life. There are a lot of things about Thai culture that I like (obviously) and a lot of things that can get on my nerves at times.. That's natural.
I am NOT one of those expats that just complain about Thai nationals and everything Thailand, but yet refuse to live anywhere else.
Anytime there is a vast difference in culture, there is going to be things that are unfamiliar and therefore feel wrong or uncomfortable. There are many situations where Thai misunderstand, or flat our mistrust and show disdain for farang or white foreigner.
In my mind, it takes patience and effort towards understanding to bridge that gap and create harmony.. so when I see or hear about an foreign expat or tourist acting like an flagrant a$$hat, it really boils my blood.
It's really hard to build bridges of cross-cultural understanding when someone in your camp is ignorantly showing complete disregard for the norms and social mores of the other side, particularly when said individual is a visitor in that country!!
Case in point, late last night/early this morning, a tall European man was spotted walking around in his birthday suit on the streets of Pattaya, completely non-nonchalant about the whole ordeal. He reportedly walked into a nearby 7/11, took some items and left without paying.
Standing by a bustling intersection, he attracted a lot of attention from passersby, until local authorities with the help of a taxi driver and merchant came to cover up the man's decency (READ: immodesty).
He spurned a pair of shorts offered to him, and initially attempted to remove the towel, before finally succumbing. No one was able to identify him, and he was clearly not carrying any form of ID on his person. As of the time of writing, He has been escorted to Banglamung Hospital and is undergoing mental evaluation..
Unfortunately, it is exactly this kind of ignorant behavior that adds fuel to the fire of bigotry and hatred. One or two half-witted ignoramuses or overly drunk a$$holes can completely ruin established lines of mutual respect. Public displays of indecency are NOT acceptable in any country, and are downright taboo in Thailand. Acts like these only serve to breed mistrust and resentment that Thai's have for farang, and, likely, ergo, the farang's have for Thais.
It would nice to see stories like these eradicate from the news, but there are a lot of imbeciles in the world, and a lot of them seem to gravity to this country for some reason..
In the meantime, I am trying MY best to be an ambassador for good.. please don't mark me guilty by association! And to the Thais, I say, on behalf of all westerners .. sorry for the morons..
