Noticed...

...truths. 


The apparent disregard for any gear above second or third by taxi drivers (and the apparent disregard to turn on the meter outside tourist hot spots).


Monks walking next to transvestites on the way to work during rush hour. 


Cinema's not crosschecking the reviews chosen to promote whatever the new blockbuster of the day is. Over Christmas I saw a six foot poster in a very large cinema complex completely berating 'A Christmas Carol'. I can't remember exactly what it said but it was something along the lines of '...after ten minutes the novelty wears off. Don't bother'. Hilarious! Ask a farang, we won't bite.


Fat stray dogs, normally comatose, outside 7 Eleven's due to overdosing on processed meat and sugared bread.


Stray poodles. Poodles in bags. Poodles in bike baskets. On scooters. With joggers. Once seen in a PRAM.


Strangers nonchalantly grabbing and cuddling other people's children while the parents simply smile and continue shopping. 


Families going to work in the morning - all on one motorbike.


The uncertainty of when to stand, be still, stop talking, etc, when the national anthem can be heard from a tinny radio in the distance.


No one reads on public transportation - sleeping is way too important for that. 


The nervous ticks of taxi drivers due to stress caused by traffic and nutters on motorbikes. I may have to do a whole section on cab drivers.


The worst type of westerner who you never actually see/meet at home. WHERE DO YOU COME FROM?


Food. Food everywhere. Delivered to your door. They'll ring their bells and hoot their outside your house just in case you didn't have enough food one hour ago. KFC deliver here which has signalled the end of my 'I'll only eat Asian food abroad' resolution. 


I really miss baked beans on buttered toast. I cannot believe this fact.


Actually, I really miss baked beans on buttered toast with healthy doses of mature cheddar cheese on top, pepper, a fried egg and lashings of worcester sauce. With bacon. And plum tomatoes. Maybe with Marmite.


Everyone supports Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool (simply cos they're the best....until Spurs make the big four next year, of course). The kids here are football mad and I would bet on Thailand's footballing youth lighting up the globe in the next five years.


Any medium that will blast out music or someone speaking through a mic will more often than not be distorted and no one cares. I love that fact.


MBK Mall is simply the best place to shop in the world.


We've totally fallen in love with this country but we miss our friends and family. The main pro and con any expat goes through.


The word 'farang' uttered by many as you walk through town. Don't worry, they could be talking about guava's...but I wouldn't bet on it.


Abject poverty juxtaposed with rich mall kids shopping at Boots.


That song. Whatever song it is. Over and over and over and over...


The Thai sense of 'sanuk'. Basically, having a laugh - no matter what. 


The blue skies. The red suns. The golden moons.


We'll post more 'Noticed Truths' as and when we, erm, notice more truths. I'm sure there are actually a million already but as always when you sit in front of the computer your brain decides it'll be a lot more interesting to watch the Panda Channel...