HHTel wrote:6. Food: I have never had food poisoning in Thailand - and god knows I have eaten in places I thought I would get one.
No 1 country (ies) where I have experienced food poisoning are Spain and Japan. In all cases I needed a doctor and prescription medication
Some years ago, I was showing a couple, who were having a house built, places to go in HH. When I mentioned cheap Thai food restaurants and street stalls, they were visibly shocked saying that they could never eat in those places with no rule of hygiene. That night they ate at a very up market Japanese restaurant (I wont say the name but was run by an expensive hotel in the town). Very expensive and when I went to pick them up in the morning, they were both down with food poisoning and were 'out of it' for the next 2 or 3 days.
Just shows that because it's 'up-market' and expensive is no guarantee.
Great story - I have had to confront my own prejudices many times over when travelling and living in the Far East /Thailand (I was married to a SIngapore- Chinese and worked for a Japanese company in my life before this one)
The western notion about cleanliness and where NOT to eat has been one of them.
After 30 years of experience with the Far East I have simply stopped worying about it - I eat where destiny takes me, as long as my Thai accomplices eat there, I eat.
I have frequented Thailand since 1993, first 10 years in my work and then as a husband to a Thai, and I never have gotten Food poisoning.
On a side note: I flew in from Tokyo the first Saturday in December 1993. I had originally flown to Thaipei to visit some suppliers, my secretary had assured me I could get visa upon arrival, at passport control they listed 171 countries which could get visa upon arrival - and two countries which could not - Zwasiland and Norway. "Norway" because it was the year before Norway joined the Greater European Economic Area.
I was told that I could apply for a visa at the Norwegian Conasulate. Upon requesting their whereabouts I was informed that the nearest one is in Hong Kong and it would be open on Monday. This was a Saturday.
Sometimes there is Opportunity in Adversity:
I had no better option than to fly onto Thailand where I was scheduled for a work session in conjunction with us setting up a factory in Rojana Industrial Park . Ayutthaya.
The only flight out of Taipei that evening was Thai Air. Economy class and business class was full but they offered me an upgrade to 1st class for additional 100 USD. Never understood that one and could not believe my luck but just went for it.
We landed at Don Muang at Midnight - My company booked me into - yes you've got it if you read my other posting -Dusit Thani by Lumpini Park.
During my entire stay I was oblivious to the fact that Patpong was just arround the corner.
The moment I walked into the reception and checked in with the Thai Ladies in their silk dresses and out - of - this - World - effeminate manner I knew that my next wife was going to be Thai.
She is.
How I got there is a whole other story.
Ramble over II
I still ove you to write my music critic concerning "Minstrel In The Gallery" by Jethro Tull, for those of you who read Hua Hin Forum closely.
One Day I'm gona die. I can live with that.