Thailand: Heaven on Earth

The majestic kingdom of Thailand can offer a lifetime of unique and enlightening cultural experiences, for both the local people and the international tourists who visit this unadulterated beauty in search of heaven on Earth.

Deeply rooted in Buddhism, Thai people believe meditation and prayer have the power to transcend modern solutions. Within this teaching, charity flourishes. Whether out of kindness, respect or love for one another, Thai people are generous, offering much more than they are asked for.

Buddhism spins a web of humbleness among Thai people, creating strong bonds of kinship and leading to the preservation of its heritage and the protection of its blessed land. It has also conjured unconditional love for the kind-hearted His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. Buddhism gives people a sense of calmness, harmony and a genuine appreciation for life.

Perhaps the ease of life stems from the gratefulness and the “Mai ben rai!” (“Don’t worry!”) attitude of everyone one encounters. The “Land of Smiles” lives up to its name where old and young alike greet one another with kind words and warm smiles. At the break of dawn, awakened to go bintabaht (Buddhist alms giving), you can hear the shuffle of shoes along the roads and at the intersection of a soi (small street) or major road.

The local monks, in their Buddhist garments (bright orange, orange or brown robes, according to their seniority) and with close-shaven heads, have arrived to receive their daily meal. The choa baan (neighbors) come, give, bow and walk away with peace of mind to start off their day right.

After a hard day’s work, people hang out at local diners in large groups and at tightly packed, side-street noodle shops where customers challenge each other on the number of bowls of noodles they can consume. Many prefer a quiet boat ride with friends and family along the Chao Phraya River.

Then there are those who enjoy the energetic nightlife of Bangkok, hunting for bargains at the local flea market, dancing the night away or otherwise enjoying a taste of Thailand’s rich and palatable culture.

If the hustle and bustle of city life makes you crave peace and serenity, then the naturally celestial landscapes of northern Thailand, like Chiangmai, or the pristine, straight-out-of-a-postcard beaches, like Phuket, are only a couple of hours away.

The azure and idyllic settings of Thailand’s beautiful coasts guarantee a sense of peacefulness, in a place where one can leave behind the stresses inherited from the urban metropolis. Still, modern amenities are readily available for those who can’t live without the comforts of luxury.

Although Thailand has its share of capitalism like the rest of the world, it remains—for the most part, untouched, unconcerned with the forces of change. It is a treasure to explore, a paradise to be found. While modern conveniences enhance the quality of life for many, it does not affect the Thai traditional way of life.

Strong in tradition and customs dating back hundreds of years, Thai people continue to smile for various reasons: to greet, to express appreciation, to apologize, to smooth over bad feelings or to show embarrassment. The head is considered to be very sacred and not to be touched by others. They still wash their shirts and pants in different batches.

They show respect, and expect us to do the same, for their King, their Buddha, their monks, their culture and for them. Bangkok is the most prominent example of a Thai city that is advancing faster than the blink of an eye. It is equipped with the Bangkok Transit System Sky Train and the newly built Bangkok Metro subway, as well as the usual modes of public transportation, including rickshaws, Thailand’s infamous tuk-tuks, water taxis and buses.

There are plenty of foreign eateries, such as McDonald’s, Burger King and Sizzler, to make visitors feel at home. And if shopping is high on your to-do list, then Thailand is the place. With a polarized economy, Thailand entrepreneurs give rise to diverse tastes and affordability.

From luxury items to traditional handcrafts, from common goods to rare items, from music to books to fashion, Thailand has them all on every street front and on every corner. There’s always something for everyone.

This exotic and spiritual land, shrouded with a light layer of modernization, may be a nation in transition, but its traditions remain at the core of Thai life. While high-rises and elaborate freeways can be found in large cities, much of the country still looks the same as it did in its yesteryears.

People harvest rice by hand, living in teak and wooden houses that have been around for generations, cooking rice over clay charcoal stoves and sharing meals with neighbors and friends and strangers. This is why painting the true and pure beauty of this ancient kingdom in words and pictures can do only so much justice. Thailand offers a flavorful cornucopia to stimulate the palette and nourish the soul.

Written: Andrew Matusik & Tanya Sangpun Thamkruphat
Photography: Andrew Matusik