Thai Life Unfiltered: The Things You Don’t See on YouTube
It’s been a minute, but life here in Thailand has been teaching me more than I could have imagined…
Back in December, I wrote about the beauty and ease of living in Thailand in my post “Adapting Thai Style…” Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on the real, the funny, and the surprising things you experience once you’ve been here long enough to settle into daily life.
I did a ton of research before I moved—videos, articles, cultural guides, you name it. But even with all that prep? There’s a reason for the saying: no matter how ready you think you are… Thailand will still surprise you.
So let’s get into the things nobody warned me about.
🚻 Bathrooms: A Whole Experience
When I first moved to Thailand, I stayed at HOMA Phuket Town. It’s tucked into a local neighborhood just minutes from the Phuket Night Market—and I loved every minute of it.
Now, I already knew Thailand used bidets. What I didn’t know was how they were used.
Here, bidets come in the form of handheld sprayers—those shiny little silver hoses that look like they belong in a hardware store. 😂
So here’s the routine:
Do your business → spray → wipe → dispose of tissue in the trash.
Yes… the trash.
Thailand’s plumbing system is delicate. That sprayer? That’s the real cleaner. The tissue is just the finisher. And honestly… once you try it, you get it.
That little sprayer is powerful enough to remove sins. 💦🤣
Some places let you flush tissue, but at HOMA, it was a strict no-no. And you know what? It actually makes sense.
👚 Clothing & Shoe Struggles: Welcome to the Land of Smalls
Thailand is the “Land of Smiles,” but for shoppers? It can also feel like the “Land of Smalls.” (I say this with love.)
I’m 5’9″ with long legs, long arms, and long everything, really—and even in the U.S., shopping could be a challenge. But here? I’m practically considered a giant.
Since moving to Thailand, I’ve lost weight because the food is cleaner and less processed. Back home, I’d be a comfortable medium. Here? I’m reaching for sizes marked 3X and 4X—which fit more like a U.S. medium… on a good day.
The math is mathing… just not in our favor. 😅
Shoes?
Chile, listen…
Most stores tap out at size 40 (U.S. 9–10). Meanwhile, I’m over here wearing an 11. So online shopping becomes a must—and that’s where the next adventure begins.
Lazada and Shopee are amazing—but not always user-friendly. Even with settings in English, a lot stays in Thai. So online shopping becomes:
Click → hope → pray → wait → laugh → return → repeat.
Temu, Amazon, Shein? Yes, they exist. But you cannot beat Lazada and Shopee prices. So… I keep rolling the dice.
To err is human—especially in Thai online shopping. 😂
💨 Cannabis Shops Everywhere
Let’s talk about the smell of freedom—or confusion—depending on who you ask.
Cannabis is legal in Thailand, and the shops are everywhere. I swear I’ve seen just as many cannabis shops as 7-Elevens. Some even have lounges with outdoor seating, where people grab a drink next door and come back to smoke and socialize.
They sell everything from mellow gummies for sleep…
to medium-strength ones for a soft buzz…
to the “Lord, take the wheel” gummies that make you question your entire existence.
I’m not judging—just reporting the facts. 😂
💊 Thai Pharmacies: Better Than a Doctor’s Office
One thing Thailand gets 100% right?
The pharmacies.
No appointments. No long waits. No insurance drama. You walk in, explain your symptoms, and walk out with what you need—often stronger and more effective than what you’d get in the U.S.
The first time I did this, I remember thinking:
“Now why doesn’t America do this?”
It’s quick, efficient, and so affordable you almost feel guilty walking out with a full bag of meds for the price of a single U.S. copay.
🧴 Why Is Everything Big… or Tiny?
One thing I noticed early on: Thailand doesn’t do “medium.”
Everything is either adorably tiny or shockingly huge:
- Produce the size of your head
- Drinks gone in three sips
- Snack bags that look like they’re made for toddlers
- Mini household items that make you say “awww” and buy them for no reason
There is no in-between. 😂
🌧️ Rain Season & Humidity: The Ultimate Plot Twist
Thailand’s rainy season does not come to play.
- One minute the sun is shining
- The next, the sky says, “I warned you”
- Clothes don’t take forever to dry, (if you caught in the rain, because usually it rains for a short time — and here comes the sun
- The humidity greets you like a warm, slightly disrespectful hug
Hair?
Makeup?
Sweat?
All fighting for dominance—and humidity always wins.
But strangely… there’s something peaceful about it. The rain cleans the air, slows life down, and reminds you that you’re no longer living at that frantic American pace.
There’s a rhythm to it.
✨ Final Reflection
Living in Thailand continues to humble me, surprise me, and soften me in ways I didn’t expect.
These everyday quirks—the sprayers, the tiny clothes, the oversized detergent bottles, the sudden rainstorms—they’re all part of the charm.
They remind me to loosen up, laugh, adapt, and go with the flow.
Because at the end of the day…
Isn’t life just grand?
Essence of Pride | Lois H. Percente – L%e 💋
Essence of Pride 
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