Teaching in Thailand - What to Eat and Wear

What to eat, wear etc.

Thailand is known for its cuisine, which combines Chinese, Indian, and Southeast Asian influences. Thai food is made with a variety of ingredients. Lemongrass, basil, mint leaves, garlic, coconut milk, chilies, sugar, fish sauce, and a hot and sour sauce are used to produce spicy, sour, sweet, and salty tastes. Dishes with Chinese influences include meat and vegetables stir-fried in oyster or garlic sauce and dim sum. Curries with coconut milk suggest Indian and Malay influences, while skewers of grilled meat with peanut sauce are typical of Malay and Indonesian cooking. Food is cheap, abundant, and delectable. Food stalls are present in every town and city and can make stir-fried noodle dishes, soups, and rice dishes for 10 to 20 baht. Adequate sit-down restaurants offer good food for a lesser price when compared to American restaurants. Prices range from 30 to 120 baht. Compared to American meals though, Thai dishes have smaller portions, so you may need to order two! Precautions must be taken while consuming tap water and unpeeled fruits and vegetables which could lead to typhoid or hepatitis. Consult your physician about getting immunizations before you travel.

As a Thai teacher, one is required to dress well and maintain a neat appearance. Thai women's outfits tend to be old-fashioned and made of polyester which is the heaviest material to wear in heat and humidity. Thai clothing is also not designed for tall people. Bangkok has plenty of big, air-conditioned shopping malls with the latest fashions from the West, but at nearly twice the price! Custom-made clothes may be the best way of getting affordable, well-designed outfits suitable for hot weather. The Indian trade, which brought over fabric and tailoring expertise, has helped establish Thailand's reputation for quality custom-made clothing.

Tailor shops offer many fabrics, which can also be bought and tailored. There are many outdoor markets that sell enough fabric to make a skirt for about 75 baht and up. You can enquire for opinions about reputable tailors and tell them exactly what you want. A lot of good tailors are located on Sukhumvit Road and near riverside hotels such as the Oriental. These shops have books of patterns and designs from which you can choose. Men's suits are a good deal too- a good custom-made suit costs about $260, and a custom-made shirt for about $40. World Group Ltd. on Charoen Krung Road near the Oriental is particularly good.

Some personal items you may want to bring with you are mosquito repellant, suntan lotion, deodorant, undergarments, and shoes. It is hard to find repellant and suntan lotion that are strong enough for Thailand and the deodorant has a sickly sweet smell. American brands are sold in some departmental stores though they are expensive. Westerners usually have a hard time finding undergarments and shoes that fit, and the Thai brands are of poor quality.