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Messages - Softpie

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Should you be into tribal Arts, and the stuff that inspires Henry Moore's sculptures, and some of Picasso's cubist bits, then you could get over to River City and check out at least four stores that specialise in popular culture / tribal arts.

A good deal of Indonesian and Polynesian art originals, not the copies made out of a plank of pine wood and then boot polished. Often pieces are tastefuly mounted up as well. It is not the tourist tack you will see on the beach and street stalls / Chatuchak Market. Masks and ceramics can be bagged for under $100 - though of course the sky is the limit. All the fertility stuff is in here ...should that be your wont. If you have ever read or browsed "Asian Arts Magazine" you may recognise some of the stores in River City as those advertising in half page expensive spreads.


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Motor Bikes / Re: Best way to get around the island - scootering!
« on: March 20, 2012, 07:35:41 PM »
In rush hours, there is a lot of traffic jam, if your late and want to be on time you can try the motorcycle taxi. Fares must be bargained in advance. Minimum fares are 10 baht...you need to bargian the fare before taking the ride :)

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Phuket / Re: Are there any bars or clubs on nai yang beach?
« on: March 05, 2012, 08:06:35 PM »
Stay out of Patong if you want less tourists.The Hard Rock has a local Thai band most nights but they're not that great and drink prices are 250+ for beer.

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Phuket / Re: Are there any bars or clubs on nai yang beach?
« on: March 05, 2012, 08:03:34 PM »
There are a lot of bigger clubs such as Hollywood,Tiger,Seduction and Taipan.Taipan is free entry all night and local beer costs 120B for Chang and 140B for Singha but you can get buy 1 drink and get a free shooter vouchers from people handing them out in Bangla.Tiger costs 180B entry and you get a free drink but i was there last week and it's absolutely packed by midnight.Hollywood is mainly the younger 18-25 tourist set and Seduction is the more European crowd.Rockcity next door to Taipan has a rockin band every night,mainly ACDC cover bands.

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Thai Food / Re: Real Authentic Thai Food in Phuket? Where?
« on: February 27, 2012, 07:35:01 PM »
For a hotel, if budget permits I'd recommend Trisara. Their pool villas are spectacular. Made it tough for me to want to head out and explore Phuket.

Trisara is out of the way, but their cars will take you wherever you'd like to go.

They have a very good Thai chef and a hit/miss American menu.

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About Thailand / Thai Culture In Thailand
« on: February 27, 2012, 06:43:28 PM »
Thai Culture

Thai culture needs to be understood from the ethnic traditions of the various peoples who migrated to Thailand to form the Thai culture as we understand it today, the influences from India of religion and mythology, the origin myths of some of the minorities living in Thailand and animist traditions which continue today.

From these traditions we have a Thai culture where belief systems are distinguishable from elsewhere and the themes of these are reflected in the performing arts of music and dance, in the art forms of woodwork, sculture, murals, pottery and bronze and significantly in architecture forms and decorations, both in the past and continuing in new buildings today. Most importantly Thai culture is significant in the behaviour, customs and beliefs of the Thai people today.



Thai Culture and Buddhist Traditions

Thai culture is Buddhist. Accordingly the culture is one where individuals are taught to think for themselves and not be subjugated by religious authorities as is the case with Christain, Jewish or Muslim religions.
   
The essence of this culture has two principal themes, first, one must understand the difference between reality and self delusion, and second, one must understand the nature of cause and effect, that is, to understand whatever one does now will have implications later, not only in the very short term, but the very long term.
   
In Thai society Thai culture is such that people do not mix self delusion in their thoughts and conversation. This is seen as foolish. Good examples of self delusion include arrogance, superiority beliefs, social status etc. Some cultures do not make the distinction. The distinction is made in business matters as well as private relationships. Thai culture enables Thai people to better self distinguish their emotional desires with a cautious respect for reality.
   
Thai culture also calls for detachment. In some societies if people want something they have to have it  whatever, in fact they strive to become part of what they seek, be it a status symbol object like a motor car or a position of social recognition. They become in their minds what they seek to obtain, the delusion is over whelming. In Thai culture such desire  and attachment for objects is regarded as weekness.
   
To this we add the need for respect of others also a concept not really understood in western cultures. Examples of this respect are, not to shout at others, not to talk at some one, rather talk to them, not to impose on another with meaningless and convoluted talk [ thus wasting their time ], not to defame someone and respect their property in their own good name. For example, defamation is a crime in Thailand.



Thai Culture About Telling Lies

Thai culture does not permit telling lies. Again words have different applications. In western society people tell ties all the time, not only in politics, but to children, friends and in business and government of the people for the people. In the west we dismiss these as '' white lies '', not important, or being polite to avoid the truth to confront someone. Not so in Thai culture, so travellers should understand a strict interpretation of the concept of a lie applies and when a Thai avoids telling you the truth then you know this is his or her way of refusing to lie.

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