Nikki Blog

It is important to realize that while Thailand is much modernized in some aspects (i.e. it leads the world in producing the best Thai microwave foods and the largest amount of mp3 Thai songs in the world), most families still keep to the tradition of dowry in marriage. 

Many Westerners have a look of distaste when asked to pay a dowry or in Thai “sinsod”. It also sadly caused many genuine farang-Thai couples to break up over a misinterpretation of culture or when no consensus is reached for some Thai couples. I recently heard an unbelievable story of how a future mother-in-law demanded a middle-class Thai guy to pay 10 million baht for sinsod. She was generous enough to offer him installments, with 0% interest even! He broke up with the girl shortly after he found out her price tag, even though the wedding cards were already printed.  But who would blame him, POOR guy! Continue Reading »

MeetNLunch recently conducted a poll and found that as many as 50% of working Thais between the ages of 25 and 40 have been involved with a co-worker, and half of that 50% wound up getting married. But for many who have experienced it, office romance can be risky business – both emotionally and professionally.  Not that it stops many of us from taking a shot; in fact, some Thai companies even encourage it! Continue Reading »

Who is still watching Academy Fantasia 4? I asked because according to my sources among the upmarket media ladies munching set and the members’ bar boozing set: “Nobody is watching AF4. Nobody.” It hasn’t set Bangkok on fire, nor has it excites me and why? Because there is really no outstanding singer in the series ever. What there has been – what there still is – is a bunch of epically overblown emotional progressions, and desperately flawed, inconsistent and astoundingly ordinary performances.  Continue Reading »