Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Funerals in Thailand: Solemn, Social, and Slightly Confusing for Foreigners Funerals in Thailand occupy a uniquely Thai space. They are serious without being dramatic, structured without being cold, and quietly social in a way that often surprises foreigners. For locals, they follow a familiar rhythm. For outsiders, they can feel like an event where everyone else received an instruction manual you somehow missed. How Long Thai Funerals Last Unlike western funerals, which are often wrapped up in a single afternoon, Thai funerals usually last three to five days. The body is commonly kept at a temple, funeral hall, or family home, with monks chanting in the evenings. People come and go over several days, paying their respects when they can rather than all at once. Death in Thailand is not rushed. Mourning is allowed to take its time. The Mood: Quiet, Polite, and Restrained The atmosphere is solemn but calm. There is no loud grieving, no emotional speeches, and no public storytelling. Resp...

Thai Healthcare for Foreigners – A Concise but Useful Guide So you’re in Thailand enjoying the street food, the temples, the sunsets, and then suddenly something happens. Maybe you step on a sea urchin, a friendly-but-possibly-rabid dog gets a bit too friendly, or you parkour the Bangkok pavements, slip and your arm quits the job. The good news: Thailand’s healthcare system is excellent. The even better news: it’s vastly cheaper than the United States, often by an incredible margin. The slightly annoying news: not all hospitals are cheap, and due to inflation and Thailand’s rising popularity for medical tourism, prices have increased in recent years, especially at big-name places like Bumrungrad. Public Hospitals in Thailand Public hospitals are the kings of value. They have highly trained doctors, advanced equipment, and are often connected to universities or major government institutions. The downside is the waiting time, which can be long, and English may be limited outside the ...