As my daily schedule is now starting to become more of a routine, after school has now become my time(thanks to a Tylenol arthritis) to "do things", mostly shopping. I've observed several things about Thailand on my errands, I thought it was just me, but it's been said by vloggers on YouTube, so it must be true!
Thais are very polite. Everyone greets you with "Sawatdii kah/krap". Even entering "Family Mart" one is greeted with the robotic voice, "Sawatdii kah".
If something goes amiss they are always quick to apologize, so as not to offend.
When renting the condo, Pond, the agent set up a chat on LINE so that if there were any problems or concerns that I had I could text and get a quick response. I did complain about a problem with the washroom. Her response was quick, but she apologized for not responding quicker. When the "technician" came, Pond sent a text that he was on the way with an apology that he was 5 minutes late. As soon as he was gone another text to ensure the problem had been fixed and a "bowing bear" emoji to thank me. Bowing bear is very popular here.
Recently, setting up my local bank account, there was a misunderstanding that I wanted to open an account and not just send money. When the problem was resolved with the help of another employee, the first person bowed profusely with many "sorry, sorry".
This leads to another hhhhhhmmmmmmm moment about Thai banking.
Setting up the account I went prepared with my rental agreement(proof of address) and my passport. The rental agreement was in English/Thai, however, the actual address is in English. This caused quite the confusion and Google searching ensued for the address by 2 employees. I clued in(I've had this problem a few times) and showed them my screenshot of the address in Thai. Many happy smiles and "kap khun kahs" ensued by employees in the vicinity.
Then Murphy's Law took over.
Of course, when one is using a computer it will decide it too needs a break and will stop working. Again more apologies. When the process was coming to an end, it must have been a slow day for them, there were 5 women all finishing my application for the account. Apps were downloaded, double-checked and the debit card was given(wrapped secretively in a sealed paper envelop) and I was to create my PIN, trying secretively to hide it with 5 pairs of eyes watching. Then the biggest shock...
I was given a bank book! I haven't had a bank book given to me for about 20 years!!!
(maybe that's the answer to my financial woes)
When I deposited money in the account, they even updated it in the printing machine.
Do bank machines in Canada even have that feature anymore?
another hhhhhhmmmmmmm moment
As I left all of the employees stopped what they were doing and gave a bow and a "kap khun kah" (it was a small branch with the aforementioned 5 employees).
Something else I've noticed. Daily life is "regimented" too. Every day at 8 am and 6 pm, especially in government places, the national anthem is played.
I was returning home one evening and was leaving the BTS (SkyTrain) station and everyone came to an abrupt halt!! I looked for the time as I had heard about this before coming to Thailand. The national anthem was playing. No one moved until it finished.
(warning...I digress into a few stories here)
On a recent visit to Bumrungrad Hospital, no I'm not sick, no I didn't have to see a specialist, no I don't have a preexisting medical condition. (I do, but that is a talk with my therapist).
I went because news changes daily about vaccine roll out here in Thailand for foreigners and Thais alike. It has been suggested that foreigners should go to the hospital that has their medical records to see how to proceed with getting the vaccine. Not having the need to go to one yet(touch wood) I thank my nephew Colin who suggested Bumrungrad( and my travel insurance provider who has this listed as one of the hospitals I can go to and they will pay in an emergency situation), the largest private hospital in Bangkok( there is a discrepancy about it being the largest in Asia/Thailand/world). People come here to get treatment from all over Asia, the Middle East and the world.
There is valet parking if you drive your own vehicle, but as I arrived in a cab, there was a doorman to open the car door, yet another to greet you at the entrance door and then a "greeter" to ask the most important question,
"Do you have an appointment? Have you been here before?"
I am then escorted to the registration desk.
When setting up the appointment the reply was that you should arrive 30 minutes before your appointment to register. At 7:55(appt time 8 am) with my hospital wristband attached-firmly, I am sent up to the 15th floor to Area D to see the receptionist there. (there's an elevator attendant). Arriving on 15 another checks my paper and directs me to the receptionist at Area D(finally).
I am shown a seat to wait.
8 am. Everything stops(not as abruptly as the BTS station) as the television is on and the national anthem is playing(they also play it at the beginning of every newscast with images of the royal family). Stand at attention.
Sit and wait. 3 minutes later, a beige clad nurse escorts me into the "vital statistics" room. Height("Wow you are big!"), weight(maybe that's what she meant), blood pressure etc. "Will you need a certificate today?"
Unsure what that means I say, "NO"
Then she escorts me to the doctor's office. Hello Dr Hyakutake. The nurse sits in the corner on a stool.
"What seems to be the problem?"
I proceed to tell her about the necessity for having a medical record for a vaccine etc. and the system of finding a General Practioner in Canada whom you can see if troubles arise. She is surprised because apparently if I need a specialist I can contact one directly at the hospital for an appointment. She is willing, however, to see me if I have any concerns and get me to a specialist here in the hospital. Finishing the 30-minute appointment the nurse escorts me out, "Will you need a certificate for medical purposes today?"
"No"
A bill is printed and she takes me to the cashier.
My mouth drops to the floor-
-the view from the 15th floor is incredible! A panorama of Bangkok laid at your feet!!!
It's off to school. I was worried my appointment would take forever, I was 10 minutes late for class.
Noon, a fellow student, has insisted on driving me home as it is too hot to walk. With a bag of food in my hand, I agree(she just wants to see my condo--she says Yes! of course!)
As we approach the driveway security steps out with a temperature gun in hand and approaches Noon's side of the car(driver seat on the right-hand side) and a second security guard clicks his heels to attention and salutes me on my side with a "Sawatdii krap". This plays out on a daily basis now, it makes for another hhhhhhmmmmmmm moment.
I do have a fridge with a rather large freezer, but I like the excursion of shopping(it's air-conditioned and there are lots of things to see).
There is a large~ish shopping mall on the corner, Century Plaza. Its main attraction is the movie theatre(closed at this time) and playland for the children. It is attached to On Nut BTS station.
Simu was being advertised on a recent trip!
EVERY BTS station I have been to so far has a shopping centre attached to it! Siam, an interchange point has 1 but, you can walk the SkyWalk to the 8 story mall located between Siam and the next station. There's another large mall at Asok-each level(6 or so) that has a different theme based on travel destinations-Istanbul, Tokyo, London, San Francisco...
Across from the mall is a Tesco, like Costco, but not just the store, it has a huge food court and mall attached. A 10-minute walk(almost back to school) is a giant Big C plus, like a Walmart (3 levels of mall also) and if that isn't enough there is an open-air market close by for all your everyday needs. Every sidewalk has vendors selling fruit, food and finery as you walk along. (also in the walkways of the malls)
By the way....all food courts are on the lower level! Restaurants with seated dining are located on the 4th or 5th level, depending on the mall. All stores selling similar type of products are usually grouped together in an area of the mall.
Grocery shopping is an experience in itself. Preparing for an upcoming online cooking class, I went shopping for staple ingredients. I saw the fresh produce and meat and had to get a few things for myself.
I saw fresh fish...mackerel, shrimp, something resembling haddock fillets, tilapia, crab...all laid out on crushed ice for you to choose your own. I picked up some shrimp, the "haddocky" looking fish looked fresh, I was tempted with mackerel but their eyes staring at me ( the other customers) seemed to warn me off.
Meat is displayed the same way.
Off to the fresh fruit and veg.
There was everything one could want, an organic section as well. Lots of vegetables (usually a green leafy thing) is what is referred to as a vegetable. Lots of herbs, galangal, ginger, garlic, lime, basil-several kinds, coriander...again choose your own. I picked up what I wanted and off the next section for more things I "needed".
I like that portion control is in Thailand. Rather than picking up an entire loaf of bread for 1 person, most are sold by the 1/2 loaf, I even picked up a 6 slice package at Tops. The pricing for the smaller packages is also reflected in the price.
I head to the cashier and then realize I forgot a MAJOR step in the shopping process. I forgot to get my veg/herbs/meat/fish priced in that department!!!
I rush back to get everything weighed and priced---veg at the veg weigh-in and meat/fish at the other weigh-in. (on another visit a few days later I remembered this all-important step). Unlike Canadian stores where cashiers know the codes and can weigh them that's not the case here. While getting the small hot chilis weighed the person called over another employee and got her to get more chilis as the meagre amount I wanted didn't tip the scale apparently.
Eventually...hopefully....maybe I will get the hang of it.
They are quite regimented, more on that later.
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