There's something zen-like about the people here. We went for a walk during our first week here, just mooching about the way you do. Anyway we were walking down a long side street with mopeds passing us in both directions, when I was struck... not by a moped, but by just how quiet it was. My previous experience in hot countries has been noisy and frenetic, with small bikes with open exhausts having their necks wrung by annoying teenagers in a hurry to go nowhere. Here they ride very gently, never revving high, calm as you like. The result is a very peaceful city.
Even in heavy traffic, which they obviously have, there's very little honking of horns, virtually no open exhausts, and few (if any) trucks. Come to think of it, I haven't seen a large articulated lorry in Bangkok at all. I wonder how they get stuff around.
Perhaps the quietness of the roads is related to the Thai reluctance to shout. I walked into the office the other day and stupidly bellowed hello to all in the room. I was met with bemused silence, followed by embarrassed laughs. They really don't understand why anyone would raise their voice.
Odd, but nice.
