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My crossing back into Thailand was evidential that geographical proximity bears no neccesary reference to cultual similarities, as the shock I received, was apparent:

-- Border crossing: Huay Xai Laos to Chiang Khong Thailand --

In the morning, we stamped out of Huay Xai and went across the river to Chiang Khong; the border on the Thai side. The friendly immigration official on the other side stamped our re-entry visas and arranged for two motorbikes to carry us free of charge to the bus station. The buses were all full and so we purchased tickets on the local bus to Chiang Mai. Seven hour journeys have become a thing of normality and we were happy to board the bus. What we did find bizarre however, was the reverse culture shock we were experiencing. After a whole month in Laos, Thailand (a developing country) suddenly seemed.... developed, orderly and industrialised. Jeez. Shops, roads, houses, banks..

Thailand; round two

Asha Patel
2006-08-23 10:40:55

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our new purchases atop the growing mountain of items that covered out room, it resembled something of a warehouse rather than anything fit to sleep in. Tidy up time. I stayed up til 2am, clearing and sorting and becoming increasingly concerned about the large number of goods that I actually had...

Wednesday 07 June 2006.... And rightly so. It took the two of us, Kat and I, to lift this enormous bag of goods. We got downstairs but barely made it to the front door when we saw our deliveries of yet more things. Kat stored hers away whilst I realised that one of my shirts was incorrect. I called Santosh who told me to return. Before long, we were back in the tailors again - with tea and water all ready for our arrival! Though, at twenty minutes, this was our shortest stay yet. In my time in Bangkok, they'd made not only a customer, but a friend and they were sad to see me leave. Not only did Santosh and Ram have someone to speak in hindi with whilst I was there, but we also had good fun. We exchanged contact details, and I am sure, in time, I will be calling upon their services in time of wardrobe need. Two years of fashion training in Milan and Darjeeling has given this man a keen eye for fashion and a remarkable sense of style. Despite my objections, he always insisted on a particular style for me, and, entrustingly I allowed him to make my clothes as he saw fit. I was never disappointed. I'm going to miss him in the days when I wander the streets
of London's stores, none of whose ill-fitted clothes I fancy, can I afford. We left the tailors, happily empty handed as Santosh arranged to have his messenger boy deliver all of my luggage to the post office. The ordeal was not over. I spent the next hour attempting to explain to the very friendly yet non English speaking Thai postal service staff how I wanted this mammoth package to be delivered to the UK. 7000baht and several interesting communicative gestures later, my box was on its way. ...