Sawasdee Stories: My Thai Identity in the Global Lens

Sawasdee ka! If my Thai identity were a bowl of tom yum soup, its base flavour would be kreng jai, that warm, gentle desire not to impose on others. For years, I thought that flavour was set. But then I packed my bags and moved, turning my life into a global taste test. First Tokyo, then New York, then London, each city added a surprising new ingredient to my personal soup, changing its flavour forever.

Tokyo: A Ballet of Kindness

My first stop was Tokyo, arriving there felt like stepping onto the stage of a beautifully choreographed ballet. The urban planning is so logical and feeling extends to the most personal moments. Let’s talk about the toilets! The Japanese bidet is a throne of high-tech kindness, a warm hug from technology that says, “we’ve thought of everything to make you comfortable.”

This deep consideration is everywhere. People queue in a silent, moving as one. At restaurants, the bill arrives like a discreet little secret in a folder, and you pay quietly at the front. It was my familiar Thai kreng jai, but elevated to an art form. Tokyo taught me that the most creative act can be found in quiet consideration and flawless detail.

New York: The Beautiful Noise

Next, I jumped from the serene ballet of Tokyo to the high-energy Broadway show of New York. If Tokyo is a whisper, NYC is a beautiful, confident roar. The city’s grid system isn't designed for calm; it’s a launchpad for dreams. Here, a queue is less of a line and more of a shifting human puzzle, and everyone is trying to solve it at the same time.

Being straightforward in New York isn’t rude; it’s a way of respecting everyone’s need. I learned to speak up, to say what I meant directly. It was the total opposite of kreng jai, but it was also liberating. And the bidets? Almost non-existent. It’s a city so focused on the next big thing, it seems to have forgotten about… well, the behind. New York’s creative gift was teaching me to find my own voice in the middle of the noise.

London: The Art of a Good Chat

Finally, I landed in London, which felt like settling into a cosy, centuries-old pub. It’s a city that wraps you in history and charm. Its winding streets aren’t logical like a grid; they’re like following a story that began long ago. London finds a charming middle ground between Tokyo’s silence and New York’s noise.

The famous British queue is the perfect example. It's orderly, yes, but it’s also a social event where you can have a friendly chat about the weather. At a restaurant, checking the bill isn’t a confrontation; it’s just 

“good sense,” like carrying an umbrella in case of rain. It’s practical politeness. London taught me that you 

can be both considerate and clear, blending the best of both worlds.
From the quiet harmony of Tokyo to the bold energy of New York and the charming balance of London, my bowl of tom yum has new flavours. It’s still deeply Thai at its core, but now it’s richer. I’ve learned that my identity isn't something to protect, but something to share—a Thai woman with a New York minute mindset, 

a Londoner’s love for a good queue, and a Tokyo-level appreciation for a truly fantastic toilet.

Story by Thitikan Pohpoach