Hey MBSB readers! I was recently interviewed for Chicky Net, a social network for expat women living in Thailand. If you want to check the interview, you may do so here. Thanks Chicky Net! Stayed tuned for an interview with Chicky Net creator Berthe. … [Read more...]
THAILAND
The Thailand traditional travel guides overlook. I spent 2.5 years living in Buriram. The last time I checked, my Lonely Planet guide had a few paragraphs that essentially said, skip it. Read travel stories and advice from others who experience The Land Of Smiles the same way.
Culture Shocked: Weird Moments Adapting From Thailand To The Philippines
From Thailand to The Philippines...culture shock? Not what I expected but here's what I scribbled in my notebook as my mind unraveled my first week in. What Threw Me 1. Being Literate Billboards, storefronts, ingredients on packaging, t-shirts and receipts are among the beautiful expressions of one's surroundings that ceased being objects with interesting long-tailed symbols and blossomed into direct communicative transmissions. 2. Being Touched My experience of Thai culture has been one where the parameters of one's personal space with non relatives in the public sphere are very defined. For example, I recall watching a … [Read more...]
Photo Series: Kanchanaburi
For Thailand hotel reviews, travel information and tips, check out Backpacking Thailand, my free Thailand resource. … [Read more...]
6 TIPS FOR TRAVELING THAILAND OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
After approximately one week back from roaming Thailand, I find myself combing through my travel notes, all of which are scribbled and crammed on a variety of writing surfaces in a variety of scripts. I've chosen the following observations to share: 1. Despite the unifying characteristics that make each area Thai, I found each destination to have distinct regional differences. I loved picking up on the subtleties, be it in the food, the accent of the people or the dress of the children, each spot we hit offered something distinct to investigate. I suggest really taking advantage of this opportunity when crossing the country. See something interesting? Want to … [Read more...]
The Fine Line Between Prostitution and Dating
The events proceeding my first intimate encounter with H, a Thai national left me in a state of complete mental blankness. As we lived in opposite ends of Bangkok and he wasn't in a position to drive me home, he hailed me a taxi and opened the door for me to enter the vehicle alone. "I'm sorry I can't drive you to your room." A kiss goodnight. Directions to the driver. The snap of the door closing. I opened my purse. H had insisted on paying for my ride to Pomprab. After some debate I had accepted but H had placed the bills in my purse without unfolding them. Now resting between my fingers, I realized H had not only given me funds for my ride home, he had covered the majority of my … [Read more...]
Wat Phra Boromthat and Ancient Tak City, Ban Tak, Tak, Thailand
Wat Phra Boromthat (Monk Boromthat Temple) is situated in the area known as Ancient Tak City. In addition to the Wat, one will find a number of ruins including a hill-top pagoda in Phum Khao Binth style (of the Sukhothai era). Wat Phra Boromthat is in Ban Tak (City), Tak Province. History Lesson (as cited on signage on location): According to history, this temple was built in 493 B.D. (after the Buddha had died 50 years) by four clergies: Sothitathera, Mahathera, Keerinantathera. The four clergies brought the frontal bone and four hairs of the Buddha to this hill (Doi-Mahiyoungka) and stored these holy parts in the small square pagoda for the people who … [Read more...]
Broken Bones And Losing Face: The Breaking Of My Hand In A Bangkok Muay Thai Gym
I try to force normal range of motion of the pinky finger of my left hand and so visits the memory of how it was lost. The reasoning behind the incident which led to the permanence of my injury is but speculation, an attempt to understand why a teacher should feel the need to assault a student, why a man of significant size, strength and martial skill should feel the need to fracture the bone of a woman. The situation in question was born on a weekday morning in the heart of Bangkok. It was 2009 and I was training at one of the country's prestigious muay thai gyms. I had completed my morning run and as I entered the gym, the shirtless trainer immediately informed me he … [Read more...]
LAN SANG NATIONAL PARK, TAK, THAILAND
First shot, after making the mistake of not informing the minivan driver in Tak City we were headed to the Lan Sang National Park (no one told us we had to), my partner in crime Brandy and I almost landed in Myanmar/Burma (don't make this mistake, it's not a fun ride, unless of course you enjoy winding up, down and around mountains. It was the one day I so wished I had a plastic bag in my purse...). Second shot, due to our friend Sombat, who acted as our tour guide, we spent the morning in the park and had a pretty great time; it was filled with locals camping. The park covers an area of 65,000 rai and is located approximately 20 km from Tak City. The public minivan service runs … [Read more...]
Introducing Thailand’s Spanky
XO Everyone! Check out Spanky's MySpace page here. … [Read more...]
Sex For Free Or Sex For Cash?
There is a stigma attached towards Foreign women, particularly white Foreign women here in Thailand and that is due to what is commonly referred to as our propensity towards 'free sex'. The term free sex gets thrown around a lot when speaking of Foreign culture and specifically of Foreign women, this often includes people who can't really speak English. They know and will freely use this term. It is a term that is pejorative and used exclusively when speaking of Foreigners, from my experience. When I came to Thailand, my definition of free sex was one of sex that was for pleasure, sex that wasn't bound by anything but the consent of two (or how many you want) people. … [Read more...]
Notes From The Road: Bangkok
Transcript Hello! The last day of my travel adventure fun lands in Bangkok. I'll stay nineteen hours in total til I leave for Buriram. It's 9:53 pm and I'm enjoying the luxury of my hotel room: a kitchen (I'm not going ot use it, but who cares), soft lighting and a couch/loveseat. Three and a half years in Thailand (total) and I don't remember staying anywhere with a kitchen and/or couch (Correction. My friend's old apartment in BKK...twice? Three times?). I've been living mostly as the Thais (or rather, many Thais) do, I cook and eat on my floor (rice cooker and sukiyaki hook up) and for the first two plus years I … [Read more...]
Tips for Women Traveling to Thailand
Hi Ladies, The following contains a collection of pieces I created in an effort to provide information to ease your time in Thailand. That which I wish I had known before stepping off the plane. That which seems to be excluded from travel guides. I've also included other resources to help you along your way. I hope the following will assist you in making better informed decisions in Thailand and perhaps provide comfort for those of you who are experiencing similar circumstances and are wondering if it's normal, just you, or if you're reading situations incorrectly. The following is incredibly important for women traveling alone. Please be advised, some of my stories may … [Read more...]
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