The Chinese, having migrated to Thailand over generations have assumed the role of shopkeepers, businessmen, politicians, and they represent a significant power base in Thailand. Marriages to various ethnic Thais have also produced subsequent generations of Thai-Chinese nationals. One has to admit, they are hard workers and spend long hours for relatively small money, and some do quite well in business, no doubt. Officially, the Chinese population here is 14%.

There are still pockets of the original Thais whom I find to be the most culturally diverse and traditional in native customs. They are undoubtedly the finest artisans, crafts people, and musicians. Part of my motivation personally was to learn about Southeast Asian music and art forms and their hand made instruments in particular. I’m not talking about anything related to pop music whatsoever, as it is equally bad as any prefabricated western pop. Unfortunately, the young people are basically told what to buy by the media and don’t know the difference between talent and a model disguised as a singer. Sound familiar?

The Thai food is a gourmets delight. Especially the spicy Thai Seafood dishes if you are into this. It’s the best of the best, especially in Hua Hin, which is 140 miles south of Bangkok, [where I rent a 4 bedroom 3 bath townhouse near the beach for under $200 a month] and where I choose to live today. It’s a smaller seaside village on the western gulf of Thailand. It was a traditional fishing village and regal community of servants to the King’s Palace. It still is to a degree – although the corporate hotel chains are rapidly advancing and tourism is somewhat overwhelming for the local population in the high season, or was  - up until the threat of terrorism brought tours to a grinding halt. The business people do love the money that tourism brings, but not necessarily some of the local residents themselves. You won’t find a menu in English in a real Thai restaurant – If there is an English menu, then you are probably not eating at one of the authentic Thai seafood food establishments.

I’m considered a tourist as well, because Thailand requires that all non-residents exit the country every 60-90 days depending on what type of Visa you have.

I do respect the fact that they don’t want the rich of the world to come in here and buy up their country, although one can purchase property under certain limited circumstances.

Some of the oddities you experience are items such as the regular Thai mode of family transportation, for example – the motorbike. It’s amazing to me that entire families of three, four or sometimes five people can pile onto a single 125cc motorbike to get around town and do their business. You’ll also see women driving with a baby in one arm and shifting and steering the motorbike with the other. There are those privileged enough to own automobiles as well, but this is generally the elite, as cars and insurance are quite expensive and considered a luxury in Thailand. Driving habits are less than desirable for me. I’d rather just walk, or take a motorbike taxi or minibus if have to go very far – but I did buy a scooter to cruise to town. It is a real challenge though. People drive on both sides of the road in both directions – sort of like how fish swim. The big no-no here is not wearing your helmet. This must be a source of general revenue for the local govt. I suppose, as it seems to be the only reason they stop motorists and check your registrations and ID at the same time, etc.

It may not be the ideal place for some, but I’ve found Thailand to be a relatively laid back, inexpensive way of life most Americans only experience on a Sunday afternoon. Needless to say, I have no plans to return anytime soon.

Today, I’m off to Ranong just north of Phuket Island to take a long tail boat to Burma for a visa renewal. Check out paradisemoon.com for more arts and cultural info. On Thailand and what’s happening in the world east-west music scene 

Tomy Gunn had a 1989 Emmy Nomination, several Billboard chart records as a songwriter, numerous film and TV credits as a composer and sound designer, and he developed the industry's first digital audio software/hardware editing bundle before calling it quits to that razzle dazzle rat race.  He'd also played guitar for numerous groups including Frank Sinatra, Sr. and was hired by Turner Broadcasting to build the first digital audio dubbing studios in China for CCTV. Today, Gunn lives in Thailand while he runs his Paradisemoon.com website.