Regulations, what regulations

Posted by admin on December 22nd, 2007 filed in the locals, expat life

The word ‘Thailand’ transliterates from Thai language as ‘land of the free’. ‘Free and easy’ couldn’t be a better description of the country, for the Thai like nothing better than the freedom to do as they please, and that they do. Regulations here are somewhat vague. But this can be a godsend or a nuisance, depending on which way you look at it.

 

Foreigners who’ve come to live here appreciate the fact that you pretty much do anything (money permitting) without some sort of permit, restriction, community forum or protest. It’s what attracts many, and it can be a relief after living in an over-regulated society.

 

For sure, it’s so much easier to build a house without costly town-planners inspecting every tiny alteration you make, or the requirement of all sorts of paper work and approval. But there is a downside to all this. 

 

“the longer one resides in Samui the more one is struck by the almost determined lack of regularity, discipline and regimentation in Thai life” wrote Anthropologist John Embree in 1950. Not much has changed. After you’ve been here awhile you certainly notice, sometimes with exasperation, the sheer unwillingness of the locals to conform to regulations – well certainly one’s that make sense for the greater civil society.Living in Samui

 

Of course, it would be inaccurate to describe them as non-conformists, for within their behavioural social structure they go to great lengths not to upset the status quo within their little circle. Everyone falls in line with the traditional rank and file of a village or company hierarchy. 

 

But, outside of this, each individual will generally do as they please with little respect to laws, civil obedience, common sense and above all safety and consideration for others. It’s quite ironic, since Thai people appear to be quite considerate and polite in each others company, but as strangers they simply ignore any thought of ‘doing the right thing’.

 

For example, try walking on the sidewalks of any city centre in Thailand you’ll find them crowded with vendors and market stalls, set up wherever they please. Or a shophouse restaurant would have set out some tables and chairs on this area. You have to use the street to walk anywhere. Well, this is what sidewalks are for in Asia.

 

Don’t expect the traffic to be policed either. In rush hour people will mindlessly double-park in a busy lane while the browse the local market for supper ingredients. The traffic police are nowhere to be seen. Kaaraoke restaurants pop up in the suburbs and keep everyone awake late at night – but when there’s fun to be had like this, few people will take objection. Heck, you can even set up a roadside bar on your front lawn and no one will stop you.

 

There are few laws limiting what can be built in a suburban area, so don’t be surprised if you suddenly have a factory or huge condo as a neighbour. Complaining will do little good if they have ‘paid’ enough money to get the go ahead. When the rush hour is over, songteaw drivers make extra money by driving through quiet suburbs blaring out advertising from speakers on the vehicle’s roof. Try telling them to stop (making extra money). It’s hopeless.

 

There may be laws and regulations but they are applied very loosely. Thai’s like to be able to do as they please (especially if there is money to be made) and the authorities probably realise that heavy handed enforcement of regulations will only create general discontent in the community. Thai people are remarkably resiliant at ‘putting up’ with unsatisfactory consequences. They simply ignore them and get on with their little world. 

 

Foreigners living here find this exasperating at times, but as the overwhelming minority there is little you can do, other than react like and Thai and say… ‘Mai pen rai’.

 

Life in Chiang Mai