The story of Thai toilet culture - the follow up
Do you remember our blog post with amazing toilet signs? Well, we have collected some additional signs in an unusual postcard from Thailand. :)
Text and photo:Per Sundberg
2 Mar
2011
10 Sep
2010
The Story of Thai Toilet Culture | Sign of the Thais - Part II
A Very Thai Story about the culture of going to the Hong Nam.
In Thailand when you visit the toilet you go to the “hong nam” which translates as "water room".
But often you hear people ask, do you need the “happy room”? That's because when you enter the bathroom you are slightly unhappy and when you come out you are happy and most of all very relieved.
Thai people also have a saying that women go to “pick flowers” and men they go to “shoot the rabbit” when they do number one. If you need to do number two you can hear some Thai people say,
- "I have to run, the enemy arrived at the border already".
Sanuk, simply fun, are in many daily aspects of popular culture. Toilet signs are no exception. Why just make a ordinary boring toilet sign, when you can make something more out of it with a sense of humor?
Sanuk, simply fun, are in many daily aspects of popular culture. Toilet signs are no exception. Why just make a ordinary boring toilet sign, when you can make something more out of it with a sense of humor?
As it was mentioned in the book Keeping the Faith; "without sanuk we (the Thai people) would probably all go insane".
Doing things with a glimpse in the eye is one of the ways to relive tension from Thai society. Half serious- half joking is the way to go.
Even demonstrations comes with at least a flair of fun and some party atmosphere. So don't be to “seriout”, it won’t take you anywhere in this part of the world! A few years ago “The Book Very Thai” was published in it covers so many things about daily life culture in Thailand. If you haven't read it yet. Pay a visit to their website to find out more about what is More on sanuk and funny signs you can read about here on The Northern Rose; Sign of the Thais and Festivals of Fun and Beauty. If you have any funny toilet signs that you would like to share, then you are most welcome to post your best picture on our TNR Facebook Page. © Text: Per Sundberg
© Photos: Per Sundberg and Jan Friman
© Photos: Per Sundberg and Jan Friman
17 Mar
2010
Sign of the Thais
Most of us see these peculiar signs pop up everywhere in Thailand and all over Asia for that matter. Images blend with phrases in a rare mix. The meaning may seem a bit hazy, but… What can we say?
From today we will start to build a an Image Library of these incredible signs from the Lanna Region. As we stumble across fresh signs we will of course add them to the collection. Stay posted on updates by following us at Twitter @thenorthernrose
Of course you can also check out the images directly at Flickr, which provides a much nicer fullscreen slideshow.
We more than welcome your contributions and suggestions! If you have pics or locations, please go ahead and send them in. In due time we will select Top Contributions and create a "Sign of the Thai" Gallery at Flickr. Who knows... the selected winner might even be rewarded ;) We just have to figure out a suitable Grand Prize :)
Please share and upload your suggestions Right Here, Right Now
Join the wisdom of the crowd!
© Text and Photos: Jan Friman & Per Sundberg
The Northern Rose's Posterous
The Northern Rose consists of photographer Jan Friman and culture travel enthusiast Per Sundberg. Our aim is to awaken and grow the interest for Asian culture. On our blog we mainly publish stories about Northern Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. If you want us to do some travel writing for your website or magazine, please feel welcome to contact us. See about for more on our personal background, experience and knowledge profile.
