I have lived in Thailand for 5 months and I absolutely love it here. I have had only great experiences. These observations are based on my personal experiences, but I think they are representative.
Weather/Climate
Thailand has 3 seasons, hot, hotter, and really hot. There is a rainy season, but that just means it rains once a day really hard for 15 minutes and then it's hot and humid again. Being near the equator means there is about 12 hours of daylight every day (6:45-6:45). The moon is different here. Sometimes it seems really large. When it is waining and waxing it looks like a crescent turned on its side.
I think the best description of the weather here each day is to consider the weather in a Missouri summer: hot and humid in the day, but when the sun goes down it isn't as bad.
There are mosquitos. They used to bother my legs when I first got here. Now, they don't even bite me. Or at least I don't have reactions to the bites. Who knows, I could be a walking case of Malaria. That is why I am getting blood tests when I return home!
Food
Thai food is awesome. I think my early blog entries are evidence of this. Not to mention a good meal costs $1-$2. Thai food at home doesn't even come close. After 5 months, I have gotten a little tired of it but I still have it at least once or twice a day.
People
Thai people are some the nicest, most friendly, polite, and respectful people I have ever encountered in the world. I get frustrated sometimes when people stare. Or when I am completely ignored. (Yes, I know both statements make me sound like a prima donna). I also dislike being called a farang or being treated like a tourist. I consider myself different than many travelers because I have lived here for a long time. There is definitely a lack of English, but that is my problem, not theirs. This is their country, I should learn their language. At the least, I should never expect them to speak my language. Thai people are very kind and want nothing more than to be helpful. They are also very funny. They love to joke and play with one another.
Thai people save face. They try to avoid the negative. They want to maintain social order and avoid conflict. They put others before themselves.
Ladyboys
Yes, there are many ladyboys. No, they aren't all sex workers. Yes, many of them are beautiful. No, they aren't sex hungry deviants that prey on drunken foreigners. Before coming to Thailand a persons gender or sexuality did not bother me and coming here has just reenforced these feelings. Ladyboys are respected in society as their own gender. They aren't treated differently. In my opinion, and for all intensive purposes, they are girls. Some ladyboys are even more gorgeous than girls. I have met quite a few now and they are just normal people. On a whole, Thai culture is less masculine than American culture.
Transportation
Thailand is ridiculously easy to travel in. From taxis and tuk tuks to busses, trains, boats, and airplanes, the entire country is accessible and for a very affordable cost. A really long taxi ride is about $10-15. Public busses in the city never cost more than $2. The mass-transit train systems never cost more than $2. There are long distance trains to the North and South that are very affordable. The night busses are around $15-20 depending on what type you choose. A flight in country costs $40-50 and cuts down travel costs by 8-10 hours.
Scenery
Thailand is such a beautiful country. There are mountains and valleys in the north. One of the most exciting cities in the world is right in the the middle. Then there are beaches to the south. The coastal waters in the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian Ocean are sprinkled with amazing islands. It can get cold in the North, but comparatively the weather is always warmer than home.
Safety
While any place in the world is dangerous, I think Thailand is safer than most countries. Most of the people don't have malicious intent. Don't be fooled though. I am certain there are thieves and other criminals here, but if you are a smart traveler, I think being in Bangkok is safer than London, Paris, Madrid, LA, or NYC. One thing that supports this is the number of solo women travelers I have met here. As far as solo travelers go, I think I have met more single women than single men. Women are obviously more than capable of traveling alone. What I am saying is that I think women are often perceived as more vulnerable than solo male travelers. With that said, I haven't met any solo travelers who have shared any bad stories.
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