有幸到泰國工作兩年，剛開始必須克服語言的問題-學泰語，但有時也並不管用……，第一次剪頭髮時，拿著一本書指著要剪頭髮的單字，結果師父不識字，最後還是以手語示之，到小吃店點菜時，大都用一指神功搞定。以前聞到榴槤想吐，最後喜歡上榴槤，三不五時常常到小攤販去殺價，還有紅毛丹及龍宮都很可口便宜，另外宋丹(清木瓜絲)，聽了更是讓人垂涎欲滴，米粉湯、雞肉飯也讓人回味無窮，另外還有泰式火鍋，尤其醬料，每每與太太嚐過後，都想回台灣開一家相同的料理店，上班時的餐廳沒什麼選擇性，而且每一樣東西都辣的要命，常常吃完之後一把鼻涕，一把眼淚。有時下班後往天上一瞧，常常天空佈滿彩雲，而打雷閃電時像是蜘蛛絲一般，下雨過後，到處街道淹水，交通大打結。因無法收看台灣電視，最常去錄影帶租用一集一集的龍兄虎弟當作消遣。
泰國人是天生動物的訓練家，有一處SAFARI動物園，通常票價分本國人及外國人，前半區是野生動物區，可見到整群的長頸鹿及斑馬在路上行走，也有兇猛動物區，老虎、獅子、豹等，開著車子直接經過他們，警告牌標示著將車窗關緊，有危險時在車內按喇叭，旁邊有架槍的吉普車隨侍在側，後半區是各種動表演秀，有猩猩拳擊秀、飛禽秀、大象演奏樂器及踢足球表演、海豚表演、真人電影劇場表演，一場看完趕一場，便宜又大碗。還有一處古城-ACIENT CITY，就好像是一個大型戶外博物館，各種雕刻佛像、泰國廟宇(一律要脫鞋進入)、傳統房屋、水上市場等，讓人目不暇給。還有泰國皇宮，金碧輝煌的建築，但女性必須穿長褲或是長裙方得入內。有一個鱷魚園，養著上千條鱷魚，同時有鱷魚表演，看著表演者把頭伸進鱷魚張開的口中，令人為之震驚。有一次與太太驅車前往葩他瑘海邊，因開錯路一直開到LAI ONG海邊，途中下了超大的雷雨，好像行駛在瀑布中，令人捏把冷汗，第一次感到如此驚嚇，意外的遊到一處美麗的陽光海邊聖地，享受著烤雞及烤魚。泰國人天性樂觀，有一次公司活動及參加結婚，在熱鬧場地看著他們隨著音樂手舞足蹈，不禁也跟著起舞。
認識到一位台灣到泰國投資設廠的毛先生熱心助人，一次請我們到COSMO餐廳用餐，當場選用新鮮的魚蝦蟹，並介紹生蠔如何食用，真是一開眼界，印象深刻，第一次吃壞肚子，也是透過他協助帶我至醫院打針，真是有點怕怕的。最感激的一事，是父親去世時，第二趟要回去台灣參加出葬時，發現把護照搞丟了，在他太太協助下，帶我至警察局報案及透過關係與台灣駐台經濟辦事處請求，終於辦了一本新的護照，讓我順利回到台灣。
原來住家的對面是SHOPPING MALL—SECON SQUARE，有時車子開進停車場後，沒有記住位置，結果花了一個小時找車子，大部分都是在此解決三餐需要，剛接眷時，老婆白天竟然趕自己一個人到對面SHOPPING MALL中的電器行，憑著膽識及手語，竟可以買了電視及冰箱回家，佩服佩服！泰國是唯一父母親有一起來玩的地方，留下美好的回憶，直到現在泰語還沒有完全忘記，到餐廳仍可以泰語點餐，對於泰國餐仍然念念不忘。
*****
溫和熱情居泰國，榴槤宋丹泰火鍋，大象鱷魚皆訓練，古城海邊回憶多。
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Thailand: A Magical Journey of Exotic Delights and Unforgettable Adventures
Fortunately, I had the opportunity to work in Thailand for two years. At the beginning, I had to overcome the language barrier by learning Thai, but sometimes it didn't work... The first time I got a haircut, I brought a book and pointed to the word for haircut, but the barber couldn't read. In the end, we communicated through gestures. When ordering food at street food stalls, I mostly used pointing gestures to get by. I used to feel nauseous at the smell of durian, but eventually, I came to love it. I would often bargain at the small stalls for durian, rambutan, and longan, which were delicious and cheap. Additionally, I was intrigued by Songkran (shredded green papaya salad), and dishes like rice noodle soup and chicken rice were delightful. Thai-style hot pot, especially the sauces, made me want to open a similar restaurant in Taiwan after tasting it with my wife.
The restaurants near my workplace didn't offer much variety, and everything was extremely spicy. After every meal, I would have a runny nose and teary eyes. Sometimes, when I looked up after work, the sky would be filled with colorful clouds, and during thunderstorms, the lightning would spread across the sky like spider silk. After rainfall, the streets would flood, causing traffic jams. Since I couldn't watch Taiwanese TV, I often rented Dragon Brothers, episode by episode, as entertainment.
Thais are naturally skilled at training animals. There is a Safari park where the ticket prices are usually different for locals and foreigners. The first half of the park is the area for wild animals, where you can see herds of giraffes and zebras walking on the roads. There is also a section for fierce animals like tigers, lions, and leopards, where you can drive through with a warning sign to keep the car windows closed and honk the horn in case of danger. Jeeps with mounted guns accompany the visitors. The second half of the park features various animal shows, including an orangutan boxing show, bird show, elephants playing musical instruments and football, dolphin show, and live movie theater performances. You can watch one show after another, and it's affordable and enjoyable. There is also a place called Ancient City, which is like a large outdoor museum showcasing various carved Buddha statues, Thai temples (you have to remove your shoes before entering), traditional houses, floating markets, and more. It's a feast for the eyes. The Grand Palace in Thailand is a magnificent building adorned with gold, but women must wear long pants or skirts to enter. There is a crocodile farm where thousands of crocodiles are kept, and there are crocodile shows as well. Seeing the performers put their heads into the crocodile's open mouth is truly astonishing. One time, my wife and I drove to Pattaya Beach, but we ended up taking the wrong road and arrived at Laem Ngop Beach instead. We experienced a massive thunderstorm along the way, as if we were driving through a waterfall. It was quite scary, but unexpectedly, we stumbled upon a beautiful sunny beach and enjoyed roasted chicken and grilled fish. Thai people are naturally optimistic. Once, during a company event and wedding, I watched them dance and move to the music in a lively venue, and I couldn't help but join in.
I got to know Mr. Mao, a Taiwanese investor who set up a factory in Thailand. He was very helpful and invited us to dine at the COSMO restaurant. We selected fresh fish, shrimp, and crab on the spot, and he taught us how to eat oysters. It was truly eye-opening and left a deep impression. I got food poisoning for the first time and he assisted me in going to
the hospital and getting an injection. It was a bit scary, but I was grateful for his assistance. The most grateful experience was when my father passed away. On my second trip back to Taiwan for the funeral, I realized that I had lost my passport. With the help of Mr. Mao's wife, she accompanied me to the police station to file a report and through their connections with the Taiwanese Economic and Cultural Office, I managed to obtain a new passport. It allowed me to return to Taiwan smoothly.
Interestingly, the shopping mall across from my residence was called SECON SQUARE. Sometimes, when I parked my car there, I would forget where I parked, and it would take me an hour to find it. Most of my meals were also solved there. When we first arrived, my wife, surprisingly, went alone during the day to the electronics store in the shopping mall across the street. With her courage and sign language, she managed to buy a television and refrigerator and bring them home. I admire her! Thailand is the only place where both my parents visited together for vacation, leaving behind beautiful memories. Even until now, I haven't completely forgotten Thai language, and I can still order in Thai at restaurants. I still long for Thai cuisine.
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