The Smells of Thailand
Have you Noticed the Smells of Thailand
Whether resident or visitor, it’s important to OBSERVE whenever you travel in Thailand
Walking through the streets and temples
If you walk through the street markets, you will be greeted by the distinctive aromas of the variety of foods herbs and spices on offer. Apart from the smell of chili, I find it adds a certain buzz to wandering around the stalls.
There are days when you notice the smell of smoldering jock sticks as you enter a temple. You won’t find incense being burned as in western churches. More usually, the Thais sprinkle odourless holy water.
Not all smells are pleasant or healthy
In larger towns and cities, as in the rest of the world, traffic fumes give off unpleasant smells. Tuk tuks particularly give off very unpleasant exhaust gasses.
In Thailand, the practice of slash and burn is a worse menace. The smoke from the burning of rice fields after harvest causes many respiratory illnesses and hospitalisations. Every year the government of the day employ campaigns to discourage the practice of slash and burn. Every year they fail. Winds carry the smog even from other neighbouring countries which adopt the same practice.
