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(C) SID Around the World: Living in Thailand -- A Single's Perspective
FROM:
Office Manager/Protocol Officer, NCR Thai (C)*
Run Date: 03/10/2006
(C) Here's our second SID Around the World article of the year,
describing what it is like to live in Bangkok, Thailand...
(U) Living in Bangkok is a wondrous adventure to behold. Don't
believe the hype about Bangkok being a third-world country.
Bangkok is similar to any big city all over the world. The
differences you find in Bangkok will probably be the uniqueness the
people bring to any country. In Bangkok you need to keep an open
mind and a pleasant disposition. You have two choices with your
approach to Bangkok: you can either enjoy the experiences it has
to offer or be forced to begrudge the day you stepped on its soil. I
chose the first attitude; having an open mind is the best way to go
when living in Bangkok.
(U) The people of Thailand have the uniqueness to pique your
senses and a yearning for adventure. The Thai people are very
patient, tolerant, gracious and accepting of people new to the
country. Their Jai yen (meaning "cool heart") attitude and lovely
smile will make one return in kind. There are many customs the
Thai people are famous for, and you can enhance your knowledge
by going out and enjoying what this country can reveal to you.
(C) I have had a very good tour in Bangkok as a single female. Yes,
I know the perception is Thailand is a "man's paradise," but I can
tell you Thailand has many wonders for a single woman to enjoy.
One area of delight many women enjoy is the opportunity to have
clothes tailored in every design, color, fabric, etc. Thailand is very
famous for their gorgeous silk fabrics. If you are looking for
everyday-wear clothing, Thailand has many textiles from which to
choose. The possibilities are endless. Another avenue of delight is
the purchasing opportunities of the various gems and jewelry
available in Thailand.
(U) If you prefer to forego the expensive route, then traveling in
Thailand is also available for the adventurous woman. The beaches
of Phuket, Jomtien, Ko Samet, Hua Hin and Pattaya you have to
see to believe. I've had the opportunity to enjoy all of these
beaches and more during my tour. The waters are beautiful bluegreen and aquamarine in color, and you can see to the bottom
even in deeper waters.
(U) During the high season (November-January) the beaches can
become quite expensive and crowded. I prefer to travel during the
off seasons, February-May; the prices are reasonable and you
receive a palatial room for pennies and travel packages (to include
flights) are more reasonable than going to Caribbean destinations.
And traveling as a single woman is just as safe as walking to your
corner grocery store. Being alert is the key in any big city;
therefore, being aware of your surroundings is still needed. I have
never had a problem when traveling in Bangkok or any area within
SERIES:
(U) SID Around the
World '06 - '07
1. SID Around the
World : Sugar Grove,
West Virginia
2. SID Around the
World : Living in
Thailand -- A Single's
Perspective
3. SID Around the
World : A Glimpse of
Utah
4. SID Around the
World : Misawa and
Tokyo
5. SID Around the
World : Colorado
Springs
6. SID Around the
World : Life in...
Central Maryland??
7. SID Around the
World : Walking the
Streets of Turkey
8. SID Around the
World : Jumping Into
Yorkshire's Village
Life with Both Feet
Thailand, but it is always fun to do so with a friend. That brings me
to another plus for Thailand - the cost of living.
(U) The cost of living in Thailand can shock you in such a way you
would never want to live back home again. You can get just about
everything your heart desires and live the life of a queen. Bangkok
allows one to enjoy the leisure part of life, if you want. The
personal and domestic services available to a single person allows
one to enjoy life in Thailand like you would never enjoy, unless
very wealthy, living in the United States. You can hire a maid for
less than $100 a month or $1200 per year as a single person. Most
domestic services include: cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing, and
babysitting children and/or pets. Tell me where you find that kind
of help so cheaply? And the Thai domestic help are kind and
trustworthy; therefore, no need to worry about your valuables.
(U) I have had the good fortune to find a very good maid,
who has been with me for close to 3 years. She practically
runs my household, which leaves me available to do whatever my
heart desires.
(U) Bangkok, Thailand provides so many opportunities, it would
take me many pages to inform you of them -- but you get the gist
of it. I've thoroughly enjoyed my tour and hope this review has
enlightened others to take a step on a new adventure.
*(C) Notes:
NCR-Thai (C) breaks out to NSA/CSS Representative - Thailand.
The association of NSA/CSS with Thailand is classified
CONFIDENTIAL (hence the "C"). For cover purposes, NCR THAI is
known in Thailand as the Defense Attaché Technical Liaison Office
or DATT/TLO. See the NCR-Thai webpage for further info about the
site.
(U) If you missed them, you may want to check out last year's
"SID Around the World '05" series, as well.
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108