Miyuki Kubota

"Sawa'tdii kha? Sabaaydii rww kha?",
This is a phrase for greetings in Thai, meanings "Hello! How are you?" My 7 months life in Thailand surprises and interests me a lot, which I would like to introduce at this time.

Fathers's day in Thailand is the King's Birthday, while Mothers's day is the Queen's Birthday. The national anthem is played before the movies at a theatre, the audience must stand-up to show their respect to the Royals. Even the American School students must sing the anthem at the morning assembly every day.

The Thai National Flag has meaning, the center blue stands for the Royal Family, the above white the honesty in Buddhism and the red is the allegiance of its people to protect the Royal Family and the state religion. Thailand adopts the Buddhist Year which adds "543" into the western　year, namely this year is 2549. It is said that the minds of ordinary Thai people are "Sabaay (feels good)" and "Mai Penrai (No problem)".( Thai people never minds at any aspects.)

NHK can be viewed in 2 hours delay, the Kohaku (end of the year singing battle) is to end and welcomes the new year at 10 PM. Besides, some of the programs cannot be viewed due to the copyright (that is unpleasant).

It is only 20 Baht (approx. \60) for noodles in soup, however, a cup of Star Bucks Coffee costs 100 Baht (approx. \300). Obtaining　Japanese items is not too difficult although it is about triple the cost　compared to that in Japan.

There are two types of buses, the air-conditioned bus (8 to 18 Baht) and non-air- conditioned bus (3.5 to 5 Baht) runs with the door opened　to get much air flow inside. It is quite tricky to get on and off the buses because the buses never make complete stops at the bus-stops. There are some other forms of transport tricycles called "Samroh",improved small trucks called "Shiroh" and motorcycles called "Baitaku". We　have to negotiate a fare in Thai before riding on them. Water-buses are available. They are little bit expensive (10~40 Baht/one section) but we use　sky trains and subways.

Although the Japanese green tea tastes are sweet, potato chips and　pretzels with　 spicy Thai food flavor. Vegetables have 2 prices, one is the　Japanese price and the other the Thai.These depend on where they are from,in Japan or Thailand. What surprised me the most was the Yam costs　approximately \3,600 per Kg!

There are several strange agreements for the schools for their graduation ceremony

(1) headskin must not be seen in the girl's hair styles.

(2) No decoration is allowed in their wearing including shoes and hair.

(3) The use of handkerchiefs is not allowed, tissues are allowed but must be thrown away immediately (and must not carry them).

(4) Makeup before the ceremony is allowed but fixing is not allowed!

(5) Gays, popular in Thailand, are treated as males. They must cut hair, and a facial pack is acceptable although use of lipsticks is not allowed.

As you can see I quite enjoy living in this country, and expect to discover other surprises or strange things while living in Thailand even though I am anxious about my children acquiring strange Thai English accents.

Last month, 4 of the merciful Minami Circle members visited me in Bangkok and comforted me by playing Mah-jong and Bridge in the middle of their sightseeing schedule, even on the day of their departure. I wonder why they didn't show any interest in massage ? I always wish there was a Minami Circle here in Bangkok so that my life overseas would be an enjoyable one. Thailand is not as far as you imagine so I always welcome all of the Minami Circle members to visit me.

Minami Circle