Koh Samui is a paradise idyll in Thailand. Koh Chang - the royal lagoon
Aircraft cabin business class. All the best at your service for your money. Turning the head to the right - and before the eyes the charming face of the stewardess; hand movement to the left - and all the same stewardess deftly fills your glass with fabulously expensive champagne; think for a minute, and a tray of mussels is ready to capture all your attention, unless, of course, you have previously been carried away by a monitor with a new blockbuster or plump newspapers of a foreign press. Here is one of the VIP passengers, Choi Siwon, with an absolutely happy face, immersed in reading the new issue printed edition.
Are you sure it's comfortable?
Lee Donghae - Siwon's friend, companion and, as Shi himself managed to christen him from the beginning of the flight, a small splinter in a soft spot - once in the fifth last hour throws an alarmed glance at his friend and ignores the frown eyebrows and indignation in the brown eyes of the interlocutor just as much.
The Virgin Mary! The man rolls his eyes. - How many more times will we return to this issue, He? There is a +1 in my invitation. If not for this business buffet, he would have offered to gather all his friends and relatives.
Siobhan leans back in the seat in a relaxed manner, closing his eyes. He worked so hard that now he cannot believe that he is finally flying to rest and see an old friend. No business meetings for you, sleepless nights for a pile of papers and other delights of everyday life of a big boss - bliss in its purest form.
Yes, and we are already on the plane, - Choi reasonably notices. - My advice to you: stop worrying and have fun, - the brunette opens one eye. - And take a blanket, otherwise you will catch a cold.
Lee bursts into laughter. He has known Siobhan not so long ago, but this friendly care of the elder creates the feeling that they have known each other for at least a lifetime.
Tell me about him,” Donghae asks as the brunet reaches one hand towards the sleep mask and the other covers Hae’s knees with a soft cloth.
I kind of mentioned it somehow. Good man, however, the adventurer is still the same. hyukk doing hotel business. It plans to expand this year. By the way, on this occasion and a celebration. On Friday we will rest, and he will look for new profitable connections.
It's clear.
Donghae is still unsure about his decision to go to Thailand with Siwon. Although there is not much work left in Seoul, he filmed the last shots of the new drama just a few hours before the flight, but he did not want to burden Shi and his friend at all.
We still have a long way to go, can you sleep? Or ask the flight attendant to bring you hot chocolate? Siobhan looks sympathetically and smiles.
- Thank you, hyung. It's not worth it, - He returns a smile in response. You're right, you need to rest.
The plane gently lands at the airport in Thailand. Pattaya welcomes guests with a warm wind, scorching sun and the singing of cicadas. The day is in full swing. Choi immediately takes out of the bag new "aviators" bought in honor of long-awaited vacation. Donghae fishes WiFis out of his backpack.
Hyukk said he would send the car. Look for the sign with our names.
No problem. We’ll find it now,” Donghae peers into the crowd until he stumbles upon a sheet with their names written in Hangul. - Look, it seems to us to him, - the brunette draws Siobhan's attention to a dark-haired young man in black trousers and a white shirt with short sleeves.
Great. Take a suitcase.
Picking up the bags, they go towards the meeting.
Good afternoon, Mr. Choi, Mr. Lee, - the young man bows first to one, then to the other, and continues with restraint. - My name is Kyuhyun. Congratulations on your arrival in Pattaya. I'm instructed to take you to Mr. Lee Hyuk Jae's house.
Good afternoon, - Siobhan gives a beautiful smile, showing friendly dimples on her cheeks. In Choi's opinion, the guy standing in front of him was obviously no older than himself. From the first seconds of meeting Shi, he cannot help but wonder how the boy lives under the scorching sun without a hint of a tan. Even the cotton shirt he wears, clean as the first snow, has no right to compete in whiteness with this truly porcelain skin. The brown-haired hair is a little curly, the unrestrained hot wind ruffles the curls that shimmer in the sun. Paying attention to the face, the man immediately notices expressive eyes, the color of strong coffee without sugar - Mr. Choi's favorite coffee, I must say. Next, a tenacious gaze stops at impermissibly plump pale pink lips. For some reason, Siobhan feels a little embarrassed. He himself does not know since when this shade has become too bright and defiant for him. The man quickly concludes that Kyuhyun hasn't been working for Hyukjae for very long, as he didn't see the boy on his last visit a year ago. Siobhan would remember. Definitely. That face would no doubt remain in Choi's memory.
Good afternoon. Are you by car? Donghae replies, puzzled. Although it is impossible for many, if not all, to see through the real emotions of the boss of an international company, Lee Donghae is one hundred percent not one of them. Siobhan is interested. He is studying.
Yes. I'll take your things.
The boy takes a step and reaches for Donghae's bag, but Donghae stops him with a gesture, indicating that he will carry the luggage himself. Kyuhyun looks towards Siwon, but the older one anticipates his thoughts.
Don't hate us! We'll bring it all ourselves! - Choi is feigned indignant, but he cannot hide the traitorous dimples. He doesn't seem to want to.
As you wish, - conciseness, apparently his strong point, thinks Shi. So much restraint, the back is straight, no waste in words and movements. The brunet admires the graceful light gait and a little more than it should, examines the hands that so deftly open the door of the Mercedes in front of him and his companion. Siobhan chooses a seat next to the driver, because the view is much better from the front seat. The beauty of the flora and fauna of Thailand, of course. Donghae sits comfortably in the back and promises himself not to ask Shi any questions. He is sure that a friend must have a reason to cast curious glances at their new acquaintance.
“Thailand is a country of a thousand smiles” - you have probably heard this more than once. Then who are the Thais in the land of smiles?
It is as difficult to determine on the move who the Thais are as it is to describe, for example, Russians or French.
Calling some reckless lovers of vodka and strong expressions, and others - sexually horny fans of moldy cheese - means offering banal, boring, one-sided clichés.
I think the minimum that is required for a more realistic understanding of the characters is to live among these people for a single year. True, it is not a fact that you will be able to single out the features of the national type to the fullest. There is a great temptation to be fascinated by one and not see the other. I am convinced that there are no bad and good nations, but there is something characteristic of each nationality. It is clear what this is connected with - the climate, the historical features of the country, religion, the principles of education, etc.
Translation of the text: “Thai smile brings the Thai tourism industry 300 billion baht a year. This amount is barely enough to pay 4 months of fuel costs. To pay for energy costs, we can smile wider and wider ... Or we can save energy - and save our economy.”
The first thing that distinguishes the people of Thailand is an incredible smile, cordiality and a desire to serve. These emotions spill out quite openly and in the most natural way. The impression is that Thais are born with a smile on their lips and for them it is like the most necessary item - in any life situation in a breast pocket. But don't buy into these outward appearances.
Similarly, behind a smile, the people of Thailand hide their far from positive feelings, and in order to see the obvious, you need to know this: Thais absorb 13 varieties with their mother's milk.
Types of smiles in Thailand
1. "polite" - on duty, for strangers or unfamiliar people.
2. mannered - “I have to smile, although I don’t want to do this!”
3. “Smile of a winner over an opponent” - you feel bad, I feel good.
4. "absolute joy and happiness" - real.
5. smile called: “sorry, madam, but you are wrong again!”
6. “hiding sadness and unhappiness” - I feel so bad.
7. "absolute evil" - do not expect anything good from me.
8. "delight and admiration" - mister, you are super!
9. "arrogant" - well, who's the boss here?
10. “stretched” - I want to smile, but it doesn’t work out.
11. "excusing" - this time, I forgive!
12. "Nervous smile of the guilty" - sorry!
13. smile under the motto: "the situation is so bad that I can only smile."
Myths about smiles
Having such a diverse and at the same time effective weapon in their arsenal, the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Smiles use it widely and thereby confuse or delight any farang (European) who arrives in Thailand for a short time.
It is these people who spread the myth about the incredible sincerity of the Thais and stubbornly refuse to believe that cute Thais can be irritated, pointedly cold or even rude. I assure you they can. Fortunately, not as often as Europeans and especially Russians.
Below you can watch a video made in Pattaya, in one of the Thai quarters. On it is a Thai woman who had a fight with her boyfriend. Such mental imbalance is very typical for Thais, and if you want to find a wife here, then do not expect that she will be peaceful and calm. For scandals, she will give a hundred points to any European.
Are Thais the laziest nation in the world?
The second established opinion is that all Thais are lazy pros. With this installation, I will allow myself to categorically disagree. Laziness in Thailand is not a national epidemic and is no more common than in other hot countries. And not only in them. For an example, as they say, I will not go far.
On both sides of my house in Pattaya, high-rise buildings are being built ... I can imagine how the readers' faces tense up! Relax, it's all right! The noise and dust from the Thai construction is minimal, but the work is progressing for me in the most incomprehensible way.
I often watch the process from the balcony and sometimes it seems that the workers are lifting concrete slabs and ceilings on their hands. The fact is that a crane at a Thai construction site does not loom constantly, but appears as a part-time worker. Here you can’t hear screams, you can’t see the fuss and smoke breaks, all people at work and at home grow like mushrooms. From the outside, the Thais resemble ants or bees - everyone works slowly, but with the result. By the way, slowness is the sister of most southern peoples. Well, tell me, how and where can you hurry if it's always +30 outside? And then, if you hurry, you risk making everyone laugh.
Yes, this cute folk principle worked at certain times. If you take your time today, then you either get up very early, or you are late everywhere and do not keep your promises. Such qualities, unfortunately, are observed in Thai partners and you need to be prepared for this. The Thais themselves in frank conversations admit that optionality is a sign of a young nation that adapts to the modern pace of life and learns the rules of big business. One way or another, every nation has growing pains, as well as a potential that can and should be shared. For Thais, this is the ability to smile, even through tears or anger. But for me, any, even a forced smile, is a thousand times better than outright aggression and rudeness.
In the land of a thousand smiles, I quickly found mine. She's like a drug, like Tom Yum soup in one of the cafes on the side of the road in large quantities deployed on the streets of Bangkok after dark. If you try it once, it will drag on for the rest of your life. Despite neither the dirt around, nor the random rats shyly hiding in the corners, nor the suspicious crockery. As parents love children, and children of parents, so I loved this land of orchids, mangoes and sticky wet skin. Parents are loved with unconditional love, they cannot be chosen according to the criteria as a life partner, it is almost impossible to stop loving them for their views. Although such love has a limit, I guess.
In the country of a thousand smiles, there is not a single real one. I read about this in the tabloid novel “Private Dancer” about ten years ago. Another story of a hopeless loser, head over heels in love with attention, playful obedience and weakness in need of immediate protection. You don't need to sleep with every woman you like, especially you don't need to save her from dragons, evil kings and financial abyss. It's amazing how one encounter with falsehood can cast doubt on the entire surrounding reality, I thought then.
How quickly all the women suddenly become vicious, and the men are weak. Although it is much easier to think so than to see your own weakness. For example, to see that it is you who endow people with certain qualities, and they are bad only in your head. Who knows, maybe “Private Dancer” could be about unconditional love, if the author did not lie to himself and did not paint himself as a nobleman, and from a strip club dancer - a young peasant lady.
In my country, thousands of smiles, at least a dozen were real. First of all, because it was my country. In the country of the writer of that dime novel, there were only vices and deceit. In his universe, Thai women are alien to frankness and affection. They know how to spread their feathers in front of males and sing them the most beautiful song - about a male hero-savior, and when they get it, they calm down forever and spend their energy on more useful things. When I hear such generalizations, I am terrified how I want to get into medical card person and read the doctor's notes. Too bad there aren't any open access. After reading each other's medical records, people would think for a long time, and perhaps stop communicating with each other forever.
Man is a complex organic computer capable of the wonders of physical education, great thoughts and discoveries. At the same time, it is fragile like porcelain, capable of getting lost in someone else's, non-existent opinion about itself. Fragility is perhaps the key quality. Today you are healthy and full of energy, and tomorrow you are a vegetable in a wheelchair. Or it’s dark around, but you don’t even see this - and you don’t have to rely on the light, the gates and the apostles. If the soul, they say, still has a chance, then the one we call “I” will no longer exist. Unplugged like that iPhone. Personally, no matter how hard I try, I can’t even feel that state of absolute zero when the world suddenly ceases to exist. How can I not understand the infinity of the universe, the non-linearity of time and the love of oatmeal porridge.
Realizing that any system can fail at any moment for inexplicable reasons, you begin to take yourself a little less seriously, then to it. Then it becomes all the same whether the smiles around are real or not. Everything that makes me happy is real, and whether the people who make me happy are sincere is already a question for them.
In my country, thousands of smiles are the best railways. The trains offer sweet fruit and green curry rice. They shake like a churn and cold like a meat refrigerator. But when you go from Bangkok to Surat Thani, for some reason it does not matter. I'm somewhere in the jungle, a faithful backpack lies on the side, and a book is sniffing under my head, waiting for them to open it. Just a few hours ago, I found it in a used book store in Bangkok. And a couple of minutes before her, one of old Bakunin's books. In Russian. There was such a fleeting feeling of closeness to home. Or the feeling of the absence of a home as a kind of coordinate. Home is where it's good, and I felt good.
My friend says she loves jungle trips as a reboot: "Get away from the world for a while." I'm leaving for the "jungle" to be closer to this world. After all, he is mine and therefore always with me, and on the conditional train Bangkok - Chiang Mai nothing threatens him, and I can calmly pick at him with a stick, laying them on the shelves. In the country of a thousand smiles, a state “indifferent” to external stimuli comes to me approximately on the third day. Then time stops, and it doesn’t even occur to me to evaluate the sincerity of others. And the golden rule “do not go deep into the soul of others” allows you to maintain general peace. It seems to me that the Thais comprehended this simple idea quite a long time ago, and year after year I go to study with them.
The average number of smiles per square meter in Thailand is unique. From the first steps on this land, it begins to seem that its inhabitants are happy with everything and everything: the sun over their heads and tropical rain, good luck and bad luck, everyone around them and themselves.
There is a saying about a smiling Thai: "Meek as a lamb, and furious as a tiger." For meekness local residents worth the traditional Buddhist serenity. Smiling is a manifestation of the national philosophy "sanuk", the main idea of which can be described as "search for pleasure". A Thai will seek pleasure both in work and in rest, but it is almost impossible to force him to do something that is contrary to his nature. This attitude to life has long been referred to as the "Siamese disease", which, however, is very easily infected by a European visiting Thailand.
King Chulalongkorn
Thais are quite happy with their constitutional monarchy. Among the rulers, the name of King Chulalongkorn occupies special place: to this day, the people of Thailand are especially admired and proud of him. He really was one of the most worthy monarchs in the world.
Chulalongkorn ascended the throne as Rama V at the age of 15. Already at the age of 20, he carried out a serious reform of the judiciary in Siam (then the name of Thailand). The king traveled a lot, he developed especially warm relations with Russia. Few people know that the music of the national anthem of Thailand was written in 1881 by the Russian composer Pyotr Shurovsky. At the personal invitation of Chulalongkorn, he worked in the country for some time the famous Carl Faberge, and the collection of his works in the royal treasury of Thailand is considered the third largest in the world.
King Chulalongkorn abolished slavery, remade the administration, army, police, finances, education and trade laws of his country in a Western manner. Rama V saved his country from the fate of a colony by establishing friendly relations with all the great powers and, with the skill of an equilibrist, maintaining a balance of their interests in Thailand.
The death of the glorious monarch in 1910 was a great loss for the nation and every year October 23 is celebrated as the Memorial Day of Rama V. Thais believe in the miraculous ability of the king to ensure well-being, success and prosperity, so his portrait is in many houses, in almost every company and in any institution.
Sex tourism
Thailand is a country of contrasts. A woman is embarrassed to take her husband by the arm on the street - this is immodest, and her daughter performs in a sex show - and this is normal. Beautiful girl may be a transvestite. The winner of the Thai boxing tournament gives an interview in a flirty women's dress.
"A fresh body for next to nothing. A paradise for homosexuals" - advertising leaflets of this kind are found under the door of the room by everyone who comes to Thailand. It is believed that 60% of trips to the country are bought by people who are inclined towards this type of tourism. Psychologists have created the image of an average sex tourist: a stingy man aged 35-50 who has difficulties with the opposite sex, but is embarrassed to use the services of prostitutes in his own country.
However, many come here not in search of sophisticated sensuality, but for their dream of a woman. Tired of obsessive feminism in their homeland, they are looking for adoration and humility, attention and affection. For little money here you can find a guide, a maid, a masseuse, a friend and a mistress all rolled into one. And when the time comes for parting, she will pack your suitcase for you and cry touchingly before parting.
water festival
Thai New Year- Songkran - the country celebrates in mid-April. The holiday begins early in the morning with a trip to the temple. It continues at home - with water with rose petals and jasmine, they wash the statuette of the domestic Buddha, and then - as a sign of reverence and respect - they wash the hands of older family members with it. Thais consider water to be the essence of all life and believe that it brings happiness.
After the festive dinner, everyone goes out into the street, and then the "essence of all living things" is poured onto this living thing in incredible quantities. Painted and wet to the skin, citizens pour water on all those passing by. Buckets, buckets and hoses are used, many are firing from homemade spray guns. Even some policemen carry huge water guns instead of service weapons. Water extravaganza continues until the morning.
Capital on wheels
The first impression of the traffic on the streets of Bangkok is general insanity. What Thai does not like to drive fast, especially in a city clogged with cars, where central streets represent an endless traffic jam!
The main participants of the local auto show are tuk-tuks ( national version rickshaws with a motor), daring buses, cars of unknown brands, countless motorcyclists and traffic controllers in gas masks. Rules traffic are completely absent: three lanes turn into five, horns tear their ears, everyone drives a millimeter apart, but sometimes a solid sedan manages to squeeze into a space suitable only for a cat. Most quick view transport - motorcycles. Like mercury, they seep through any traffic jams at breakneck speed. In second place are tuk-tuks and buses, which have a legal advantage.
At the height of the day, two cars can rush head-on in the same lane to each other, one of which is honking with might and main and flashing its headlights. This means that his driver does not intend to "give" the road. As a rule, they yield to him, realizing that in a similar situation they will yield to them. And, perhaps, this readiness to meet one's neighbor is the secret of the small number of accidents on Bangkok roads.
Thai boxing
Art hand-to-hand combat Muay Thai, known to the world as Thai boxing, has its roots in unimaginable antiquity and is becoming an increasingly popular amateur sport these days.
Professional Thai boxing is considered the most brutal and one of the most effective close combat systems in the world. The fight takes place according to the formula of five rounds of three minutes each, with a two-minute break. A similar scheme has been worked out by time: three minutes is enough to show strength, and at the same time not enough to beat the enemy to death. The fight is accompanied by live music, which can excite the nerves of the dead.
Before the fight, the Wai Kru ceremony is held - a ritual dance of boxers. Its purpose is the magical intimidation of evil spirits and the enemy, and at the same time entering a state of trance, necessary for a duel. Muay Thai fights are held in almost every village in Thailand. Thais consider it an integral part national culture and annually celebrate March 17 as Muay Thai Boxing Day.
Going to meet Southeast Asia, you should start your acquaintance with the most welcoming and smiling country - Thailand.
It is located on the Indochina peninsula. If you look at the island from a bird's eye view, you can see that in shape and shape it resembles the head of an elephant, whose face looks towards Burma, ears - towards Laos and Cambodia, and the trunk is located between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand - to the border with Malaysia.
Kingdom of Siam (Siam in translation means "smile"). That's what it was called formerly Thailand. It is said that there are thirteen types of smiles in the Thai kingdom. And this is not only a manifestation of friendly hospitality, it also contains the meaning of the national philosophy "sanuk", which means something like the following: "Live with pleasure." Indeed, looking at the Thais, it is impossible not to see their love of life, joy from every moment lived, despite the fact that the standard of living in this country is very low. Many people sleep under open sky, rarely see anything other than rice, fruits, or what the sea gives; some go barefoot because they don't have shoes, since the climate allows it. But how happy they are! Every Thai is happy with what he has, that's what we should really learn from. And if it seems to you that you live poorly, go to Thailand. You will realize how much you have. Thais owe this attitude to life to Buddhism. Buddhism is not just a belief. This is a philosophy, a way of life, a single commandment. He teaches a person to endure all hardships worldly life'cause worldly life is just a preparation for another, a better life and they firmly believe in it. If a Thai started building a temple, of which there are a great many in the country, he will not be able to quit the work he has begun, no matter what. The temple is their second home. They take care of it with the same trepidation, as for their own home. This is probably why the temples in Thailand are one more beautiful than the other, each of which is unique, special, with brilliance precious stones, majestic Buddha statues and tall spiers, lost somewhere in the clouds. This combination of dazzling temples and poverty, giant skyscrapers and growing near coconuts is surprising. You can walk down the street among modern offices, cars and people in ties, but turn the corner to find yourself in the thick of straw hats, bare feet, gilded doors and watch monks in orange kathinas slowly walking. Thailand has over 32,700 Buddhist temples, in which about 370 thousand monks and novices live.
The slowness and measured life of the Thais also originates from Buddhism. The doctrine preaches the transience of being. At the level of religious worship there is also power in country is the king. The power of the monarch in Thailand is considered unshakable and is revered by Thais as a national symbol. Images of the king or members of the royal family can be seen in every corner of the country. They are decorated with all sorts of flowers and gilded frames, which symbolizes not only deep reverence, but also people's love. Despite the fact that adherence to traditions is sacred, today Thailand is a powerful, rapidly developing state, which is one of the five East Asian dragons.
The face of this country is unique. Exotic surrounds you from all sides. Far-reaching palm groves, bright green landscapes, white gold sandy beaches and warm blue Gulf of Thailand will surely take your heart. The smell of white, delightful plumeria flowers intoxicates. It is also called the "smell of a Thai woman." They are somewhat reminiscent of our magnolias, but more refined, with a delicate aroma. And so many varieties of orchids, more than a hundred species, you will not find anywhere else. Wherever you go - Bangkok, Phuket, Samui, Koh Samet, Koh Chang, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Pattaya - the cities, islands and regions of Thailand will impress you with their originality and diversity. You will be surprised to discover that you have a tendency to contemplate, because every moment will not be enough for you. A tropical breeze will take you somewhere far away, where flocks of colorful fish are splashing under bright highlights.
The hospitality and breadth of the soul of the Thai people will touch the heart of even the most indifferent person, turning pessimistic views into an optimistic smile. There was even a new term "Tyness". It includes the main details of the Thai way of life: their hospitality, open smiles, sincerity, goodwill, contemplation. Meditation is their guarantee of mental state, balance. When you listen to the sound of the mantra of Buddhist monks, you feel peace, relaxation, unity with the world. And it is not necessary to be a representative of the Buddhist faith in order to understand their meaning, everyone will find their own.
Coming to Thailand, you seem to find yourself in another world. And if you are open to him with all your heart, he will smile at you too.
