Far from idyllic: Contrary to the depiction of young people’s lives in the kingdom’s popular drama series like ‘2gether’, Thai youths’ reality is mired in rising inequality and political crisis, with many now going to the streets to remonstrate against a political system and demand reforms.
MANY Filipinos have an affinity for Thailand, regarding it as a country as beautiful as ours, its people as friendly and the food – no matter how spicy – just as rice-based (e.g. pla muek phat phrik phao!). Of course, from the Thai script alone, there is no mistaking our two countries but the common imprints of globalisation, shared climate and similar features of our peoples give off a sense of familiarity that one does not feel in most other global cities.
Indeed, when you encounter a mango vendor in the streets of Bangkok as you walk down from an MRT or BTS station, you can be forgiven for momentarily thinking you’re in Manila.
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