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Lurker's Blog

Reflections on this and that
Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/lurker

Posted by lurker , Reader : 471 , 13:41:01  
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Thailand likes to promote itself as a service minded country and Thai people as service minded people. So what do you think? As a tourist, as a resident, as a business person, as a foreigner, as a Thai, what is your personal experience? On a personal level, I would say that best service I have ever received is at the lowest end, meaning street food vendors. Som Tam ladies will go out of their usual ways to make som tam exactly like you want it and do it with a smile on their face and joke and laugh. Upcountry service seems to be better than what you find in Bangkok and tourist ghettos.  I can tell wonderful stories of upcountry people going out of their way for me in a way you would never find anywhere else without wanting to be compensated!!! Another thing that many will find shocking is Thai massage and hair cuts. Very few complaints there.  It is interesting but probably the worst service is from what would be called chain stores or mainstream retail outlets. Service in department stores is usually atrocious. Restaurants also. Bars also. Hate to say it, but Thais know very little about wine and cocktails, or have a refined palatte from a service person's perspective. I'd say I have had wonderful maids, personality wise, but if I didn't crack the whip, they were lazy. Mom and pop shops can be hit or miss. Normally mom and pop restaurants that have good reputations usually have good service.  If I just randomly go to eat a mom and pop and know nothing about it, more often than not, bad service. I'd prefer to shop at local mini marts rather than 7-11, but mom and pop mini marts are usually dirty and you have some surly Chinese man or woman covered in gold chains and hairy molese either barking at you or ignoring you. Believe it or not, some of the worst service I have had in Thailand is at the 5 star hotels. Business wise, damn it, I reckon that Thailand could improve its GDP by 5% if sales people and their managers did their jobs properly.

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comment 32 noonin date : 08/07/2009 time : 20.59 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/noonin

comment 31, Do you never want to cut them off, those hairy moles. Strange Chinese custom. I cut the hairs in my nose today. Do the hairy mole people trim the nasal hairs? Each to their own.

comment 31 happyjack date : 08/07/2009 time : 13.34

Hairy Moles Mr Lurker,how non P.C. of you.Your snide remarks offend me.

comment 30 happyjack date : 08/07/2009 time : 13.28

G.G., i can write in Thai better, but Ian cant read.October im going to Korea.No visa,my P/port will do,no visa to apply for.No wonder they are rich.Who converted City names to ABC.Eg.Look at Pitsanulo, as they translate it.Rubbish

comment 29 GGrass date : 08/07/2009 time : 10.56 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/GGrass

Ian C26: I believe so. If I looked more 'Korean', than I'd get much better service. Or at least not get bumped here and there...

comment 28 GGrass date : 08/07/2009 time : 10.50 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/GGrass

Ya cow macri chan = Ya kao ma klai chan = ย่าเข้ามาไกล้ฉัน Took me a LONG time... LOL

comment 27 happyjack date : 08/07/2009 time : 07.31

C 24.Ian your gf can refine for you . but here's my phonetic Thai . Ya cow macri chan.Dont follow me.They are told to be pushy,and are relived when you put them on stand by.You may have noticed they all have a picture of them-self recievig a Thai Degree fro Royalty,but use a Calk if that 1000Bht Shirt is 50% off.Deary me darling I'm being rude again.

comment 26 Ian date : 08/07/2009 time : 02.54 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anterian36

Noonin, 25. 100% the same with me. I think GG's problem is he looks like a Thai(apart from being too tall) and speaks like a Thai. I'm sure with the present pro Korean/japanese trend in Thailand that if he wore a Korean sticker he would get much better service.

comment 25 noonin date : 07/07/2009 time : 18.12 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/noonin

comment 24 The same. The last time I was browsing for a new pair of shoes I had to tell all the assistance that if they did not allow me to look and decide in peace without them within eye shot of me I would not be buying anything. When I made my choices, yes I like to try on several shoes to decide which are more comfortable and which I prefer, I recalled the entourage and had impeccable service. Thai do try too hard to please in my humble opinion (and they are on commission for sales), As for car service , Thai mechanics and the speed of repair is without fault. Repairs to the home also rank highly,not perfect, but when faulty they come back to make better.( I just had a leaking roof and some window frames repaired).

comment 24 Ian date : 07/07/2009 time : 17.48 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anterian36

Hj, what am I doing wrong? When I visit any store I am instantly pounced on by sales staff, no matter how fast I walk they will run to keep up with me. Shops can be as bad, when I went to a big pharmacy in Bangkok I had 6 girls all fighting to serve me. I have always found service too good, I like to browse.

comment 23 happyjack date : 07/07/2009 time : 15.48

After you get out of the Car for a Smoke outside 7/11 does your Wife appear.?.

comment 22 happyjack date : 07/07/2009 time : 15.39

Children in 7/11 mistake me for Box of Tissue.After they realise you cant get 1 Litre of Frozen Splodge into a paper cup,and glued my Shoes to the Tiles,they sneak up behind and wipe there Paws on my Shirt.Dont say anything to the Mother, shes easy to spot though.About as Tall as the 4Th Shelf, as wide as the Isle,with a Jumbo Hot Dog, stuffed with most of the Salad Bowl.Lettuce Festoons her Jumper like Tinsel.So i just Peel my way out,souding like a Sellotape Dispenser.

comment 21 GGrass date : 07/07/2009 time : 10.13 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/GGrass

A Thai waiter/waitress -- will do anything to avoid you. And after trying nicely for 30 minutes and failed, you call at them with loud voice, or a hand gesture, they get offended and start acting like a$$holes.

comment 20 GGrass date : 07/07/2009 time : 09.46 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/GGrass

HJ : I'm regarded by the Thais as being 'On Air', because I speak softly and I'm polite. Therefore, I get run over at 7-11 and gas stations. I get run over at noodle shops. I get run over at department stores. I get run over at just about anywhere. And when I get mad, they think I'm harsh. Just yesterday... I get run over at the gas station, and 10 minutes later, I get run over at the noodle shop. It's like I'm not even there. At the gas station, after being run over, I speak in a little bit tough tone, and they are startled and look at me like I've said something rude. It's times like this, when I really look down on these people. I just have to because I have no patience left. And after that, I goto the noodle shop, and I get run over AGAIN. This time, I just ignore everyone and be happy to have noodle to take home.

comment 19 happyjack date : 07/07/2009 time : 06.28

A Thai Waitress.A Still Life Model for Artists.Ask any Ferang Restaurateur.Thai Car Service,WORLD CLASS.Superb.

comment 18 happyjack date : 07/07/2009 time : 06.21

C1.Alien,can you write a Blog on the Life of a Recluse.Are you sure your not in Singapore.?.Bill Presentation is there main outstanding service.Never Late an Allways Wrong.

comment 17 happyjack date : 07/07/2009 time : 06.10

Its a difficult one to answer.Ferangs here come mainly in this Category.Doctor, "i keep being ignored."..Doctor, " Next Please."Thais by Nature test you, if they regard you as On Air,weak they run you around.Newbies often say i speak hard to the Dumb Insolence Lot.This is one occasion they are correct.As G.G. will confirm with his workforce.

comment 16 Ian date : 06/07/2009 time : 22.57 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anterian36

GG,15. In a big city you are 100% correct, but outside the city I think this is not so.

comment 15 GGrass date : 06/07/2009 time : 14.14 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/GGrass

I'm sorry, if I seem to be over reacting to this blog, but that's the truth. I am truly disgusted by the 'service sector' in Thailand. But I've learned not to expect anything, and I've learned that you get what you pay for, so I'm just chilling... I'm just trying to let the newbies know, how the 'Service Sector' REALLY is in Thailand.

comment 14 GGrass date : 06/07/2009 time : 14.00 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/GGrass

Thai people are too proud to serve someone who is not their master. A customer at a restaurant is not their master. The owner of the restaurant is.

comment 13 GGrass date : 06/07/2009 time : 13.57 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/GGrass

Thai people don't know what 'service' means. At least not the correct meaning of service. Just think about how difficult it is to catch the attention of waiter and waitress who seem to have nothing to do besides standing still.

comment 12 GGrass date : 06/07/2009 time : 13.21 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/GGrass

IT sucks even more if you are a Thai.

comment 11 GGrass date : 06/07/2009 time : 13.20 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/GGrass

Seriously. Anyone who says 'Service in Thailand is good.' is either blind or trying to kiss Thai ass. Service in Thailand SUCKS. I'm not just talking about certain segment, I'm talking about the whole damn country.

comment 10 wch date : 05/07/2009 time : 11.50

Thai banking service settles down with ripping system now.

comment 9 happyjack date : 05/07/2009 time : 10.13

You, Hotel Flee Pit. You go there.?. YES. Well turn the Meter on Drive and Dont talk.Thats the wrong way,Solly, U not Tourist then.

comment 8 noonin date : 04/07/2009 time : 21.16 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/noonin

Comment 7 True If you do not speak rudimentary Thai, you are going to be taken for a ride.

comment 7 lonewolf date : 04/07/2009 time : 21.05

TAXI DRIVERS. If you pick up a taxi at the airport the only service you might receive is having your luggage thrown into the trunk/boot or if it is a large piece having the driver attempt to tie it in with a small bungy cord. During the ride you have to tell the driver a dozen times that NO, you don't want a naked massage and NO you don't want to buy any jewerly, you just want to go to your destination...After that you wait in silence (because they are angry with you that they didn't get any side trips) until the end of the trip to take the luggage out yourself and start the fight over the fare--because the meter wasn't turned on or it doesn't work properly, etc. Near tourist hotels or near major roads--For every ten taxi rides you may experience one or two with excellent service and from whom you get their mobil number to call again in the future. Recently I had colleagues from Vietnam visit me for a few days in Bangkok and the taxi drivers from the airport-to the hotel and returning from the hotel-to the airport were antagonistic cheats...a true embarassment to me with my guests...very sad since I said such warm and postive things about Thailand's service industry. Yes taxi drivers are a problem in most developing countries but in Thailand--which depends upon tourist dollars and creating a positive first impression with visitors--this industry MUST be a priority for radical change.

comment 6 noonin date : 04/07/2009 time : 20.53 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/noonin

Ian has been serviced satisfactorily!

comment 5 wch date : 04/07/2009 time : 20.03

A group of people who rarely contacted outsider, generally show initial hospitality. Such attitude is same anywhere around globe. However in Asia, those people who contact outsiders often, show certain discrimation. This is seen in Singapore, Hongkong, Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei. In Thailand, Bangkok Pattaya or some foreign tourists zones are now beyond the level of HongKong. It is sad to see now Khonkaen city turns to be one quickly.

comment 4 Ian date : 04/07/2009 time : 19.29 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anterian36

Government officials are poor in service. but in shops and stores no problems. Workers are good if you agree a price for the job first. In the days when I used hotels a small no star hotel was better than a 5 star if you knew your way around. So no complaints from me over the service sector.

comment 3 noonin date : 04/07/2009 time : 15.15 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/noonin

Government workers (everywhere) never seem to try hard at their jobs. They just need a little (greasy palms) encouragement.

comment 2 noonin date : 04/07/2009 time : 15.11 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/noonin

In Thailand the service is usually excellent. If you are a tourist you will be ripped off ,but not notice, because the same service would come at a higher price back home. If you are a resident then the service is good because you are a valued customer who will continue to return if given whatever you required. I am British, and as I recall when long ago I lived in England , service was regarded as a favour; my car needed repairing, "Oh very busy, need time to get the parts, maybe ready next week!" My washing machine is busted,"Oh dear, that's a difficult one to fix, cost of inspection plus time to repair = might as well buy a new one. In Thailand most things I need repairing, sorting is done within a day or two. Only complaint is insurance claims against the wrong doer; if I claim on my insurance, no problem, to get another company to pay their dues is a nightmare. That is where corruption enters the picture, each out to do the other!

comment 1 Alien date : 04/07/2009 time : 14.26 http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/alien

I have had no complaints about service I receive in Thailand. I don't know about bars or massage parlors since I don't go there, but in restaurants, stores, etc. I have been treated very well. If I wasn't, I would just walk out anyways, usually with a sarcastic comment. The only dealings I didn't like were the few I have had with governmental persons. The people at customs are too slow, worse than Mexico if you can believe it. The time I had to get an extension on my visa, they were also too slow. Government workers (everywhere) never seem to try hard at their jobs.

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