Thailand has many different provinces or areas of life. Due to these differences, just as in the United States, people have different lifestyles, ranging between more urban and more rural. Read on to hear what I learned by interviewing several Thai friends.
First "Nickname" Last - Province
Chotima "Mook" Muangloy - Kamphaeng Phet *
Thanatnan "Tangkwa" Auttavit - Samutprakarn
Promporn "Aum" Sae-tang - Chonburi
Buachomphoo "pink" Phitaktim - Udon Thani
Nawarat "Ploy" Dounghom - Phrae *
The individuals with an asterisk ( * ) next to their names are from more rural communities, with small villages, while the other individuals are more from mid to large size cities. Rural communities are much more independent, with a "do it yourself" mentality. For example, these people often come together as a community to build their houses and hold local ceremonies. They often marry within the community to individuals they may have known as children. On the other end of the spectrum, the individuals from more urban environments live in apartment complexes, rely much more on large businesses and convenience stores, and have the ability to access and create relationships with a massive number of new people.
