Phuket Thailand

frank9648 · #1 08-01-2006, 19:07

Hi we are hoping to visit Phuket in October. And there are a few questions we have,
We will be celebrating our 26th anniversary whilst we are in Phuket. We live in Yorkshire England. We are now on our own now that the kids have left home and have a 10 month old granddaughter. We usually travel to Spain or Greece for holidays and have made many friends. We are travelling to Australia to see my sister and celebrate my birthday there. As it’s a big birthday we intend to make the most of it.

Please feel free to offer advice. We have identified some accommodation on the internet but our travel agent can not find anything about it. It is the “Serene Resort” 175 Koktanode Rd. Kata Beach Phuket. It was formally called “Sea Wind Resort” (can’t think why they changed it!) If anyone has any info it would be appreciated.

Another idea was The Phuket Naithon Resort on Naithon beach. But we can not seem to contact them at all though the web site is up, again any info would be great.

Also what is “Wai”?

Well thanks in advance any info will be greatly welcomed as we like to know about the places we visit it helps us to acclimatise to the culture. Thanks again
Sorry if this is a little long winded.
Frank & Lynn

Crustasian · #2 08-01-2006, 19:12

A Wai is the way Thai people greet each other rather than shaking hands.They put their hands together holding them upright in front of their chin.It can also be a mark of respect.The higher up you hold your hands the more respect you are offering the person you are meeting.

As a tourist keep it simple and just do it at chin level.

dizbuster · #3 08-01-2006, 19:28

Hi Frank,
perhaps you're not familiar with google ??

Anyway, if you search for "Serene Resort" on www.google.com you will find plenty of info, here's an example http://www.seawindphuketresort.com/

The same thing for Phuket Naithon Resort http://www.phuket.com/naithon/

This link might be worth reading to give you a feel of what to expect in LOS http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/travel.html

Finally, I have been to LOS many times and have always been told not to "Wai" because being a foreigner I do not fully understand it or how and when to do it, thus avoiding any possibly embarrassing situations. A small nod of the head has been recommended instead.

dogblower · #4 08-01-2006, 19:41

Yeah, what Dizbuster said. I usually play the "dumb falang" routine and don't bother to wai unless I really mean it - a nod of the head is usually enough to acknowledge it. Tourists who, with the best of intentions, wai kids and so on just look silly.

By the way, Naithon Beach is absolutely miles from anywhere: shopping, restaurants, nightlife etc, but lovely and quiet if that's what you're looking for.

Dodger · #5 08-01-2006, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogblower

Yeah, what Dizbuster said. I usually play the "dumb falang" routine and don't bother to wai unless I really mean it - a nod of the head is usually enough to acknowledge it. Tourists who, with the best of intentions, wai kids and so on just look silly.

Never understand this attitude, why do you want to look like a 'dumb farang'? and who do the tourist look silly too, the dumb farang?

How would you feel if you offered your hand in England to a foreigner and they ignored you, or would you think a foreigner shaking hands with a child in England just looks silly?

My opinion is its just good manners, I would shake a childs hand in England not because I have too but because it is polite and also teaches the child, the same applies to Thailand with a wai, politeness costs nothing and it is not exactly rocket science to learn when and how to do so correctly when in Thailand. I hope this posts doesnt come across agressively because it is not meant to, I just think it is part of the Thai experience especially for first time holidaymakers.

dogblower · #6 08-01-2006, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodger

it is not exactly rocket science to learn when and how to do so correctly when in Thailand.

I did say that it is usually done with the best of intentions, but it is not the correct thing to do - a Thai child would just be confused to have an adult wai them.

I do acknowledge a wai, but there are so many nuances to it that I prefer to take the lazy route and be assumed to be ignorant than to make mistakes. Maybe this makes me a bad person, but it hasn't caused any offence yet (that I know of anyway).

Lord_Farquard · #7 08-01-2006, 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogblower

I do acknowledge a wai, but there are so many nuances to it that I prefer to take the lazy route and be assumed to be ignorant than to make mistakes. Maybe this makes me a bad person, but it hasn't caused any offence yet (that I know of anyway).

Perhaps not "lazy" but safer. There are so many things to screw up.

Is it a monk?
Is the person a female?
Are they older than you?
Are they important?
It is so much safer to nod, than to blow it by raising your hands too high for the wrong person. It's not so much that you look silly but that you may really offend a very traditional Thai. When in doubt, nod, or offer a hand shake, the younger Thai's will usually Wai and shake.

steve@thaib · #8 09-01-2006, 17:12

It's an interesting subject, the 'wai'. I tend to follow a lead, so if the guy who takes me to the police station to see a heavyweight cop 'wais' then so do I, or if the wife tells me before we meet her mum that I should then I do.

Denver · #9 09-01-2006, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by frank9648

Hi we are hoping to visit Phuket in October. And there are a few questions we have,
We will be celebrating our 26th anniversary whilst we are in Phuket. We live in Yorkshire England. We are now on our own now that the kids have left home and have a 10 month old granddaughter. We usually travel to Spain or Greece for holidays and have made many friends. We are travelling to Australia to see my sister and celebrate my birthday there. As it’s a big birthday we intend to make the most of it.

Please feel free to offer advice. We have identified some accommodation on the internet but our travel agent can not find anything about it. It is the “Serene Resort” 175 Koktanode Rd. Kata Beach Phuket. It was formally called “Sea Wind Resort” (can’t think why they changed it!) If anyone has any info it would be appreciated.

Another idea was The Phuket Naithon Resort on Naithon beach. But we can not seem to contact them at all though the web site is up, again any info would be great.

Also what is “Wai”?

Well thanks in advance any info will be greatly welcomed as we like to know about the places we visit it helps us to acclimatise to the culture. Thanks again
Sorry if this is a little long winded.
Frank & Lynn

Welcome to the board Frand and Lynn,

Hope you have a great time in Thailand on your 26th anniversary. I'm sure you will have a great time. Sorry I can't help you with any advice on your questions. I think the Wai thing has been done to death. There is some information on the Serene Resort on this link Frank.

http://www.gothailand.com/hotels/phu...serene-resort/

Don't forget to take your camera and send a report in to the forum of your holiday and birthday celebrations. Take care.

brit · #10 07-09-2006, 00:50

I think the point is the Wai is really nothing like a handshake. A handshake is always mutual and you're right if your offer of one is refused then that is a big snub. A Wai "offered" however is not always expected to be reciprocated, if anything most of the time it's given is in a "service" situation where you are expected not to wai back. I can't imagine a first time tourist will find themselves in many circumstances where a mutual wai is appropriate.

fun2have · #11 07-09-2006, 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

It's an interesting subject, the 'wai'. I tend to follow a lead, so if the guy who takes me to the police station to see a heavyweight cop 'wais' then so do I, or if the wife tells me before we meet her mum that I should then I do.

yes, i always ask the wife before when i am in unfamiliar circumstance. about the "height" of the wai etc.
but with the wifes fathers colleagues, its difficult as i cant remember who is what rank so i follow the wifes lead.

dont worry about wais as has been said before in the tourist situation.

have a great anniversary in los and oz, and i know my old father and his "old girl" gf have a wonderfull time in los.
best wishes.

WalkAbout · #12 14-09-2006, 13:18

Hi Frank and Lynn,

If you are looking for a romantic Place this is it. Deserted Beach a few bars and restaurants and fantastic sunsets. Cant understand why you cant get in contact with them. I live quite close to Naithon and would be happy to give them a nudge if you give me some dates.