Thailand’s Military Coup: A Cocktail Party Anecdote

Life Outside the Comfort Zone

Thus far, I’ve neglected to mention just how remote my situation was. I was the only Caucasian teacher within at least an hour and my town had approximately 10,000 people living in it. The rest of that night consisted of sitting in front of my computer either making jokes about our three-day weekend with fellow teachers or calming the nerves of frantic relatives on the other side of the globe.

I had friends in more urban areas who were personally escorted home by armed military personnel, and if I’m totally honest, I think a part of me was jealous of them. I have to admit that I relished that night, feeling like I’d won, like I’d found that elusive cultural experience that anyone who has ever had their passport stamped is looking for.

Ryan Farley / Own Work

Looking back now, I think I value something else even more than those moments. Over the weeks and months that followed, I had my entire perspective changed about what took place, and continues to take place, under the current military junta.

Thailand is, for lack of a wittier way to say it…different. Very few westerners would ever admit that a place can be safer during a military government takeover. However, I think the most successful travelers, the ones that get the most out of their experiences, are the ones that don’t bring stories to their neighborhood potlucks. They bring new and diverse perceptions of the world.

Starting sometime after that 10pm curfew went in to effect, I began a never-ending lesson in changing the way I think—there’s a lot of space outside that comfort zone you live in, and the rules are different out there.