Fat in Thailand

[OnSilverStars]

I'm going to Thailand next week with my extended family. I don't know why I've not thought about this much until now, but I'm worried about being fat in Thailand and receiving negative comments from people about it. I've just heard it's culturally acceptable to comment on people's size. I'm a UK 14/16 and have a decent shape. I exercise a lot and eat well especially mon-Fri. I don't know why I'm telling you that- maybe to make myself feel better I guess!

Has anyone been to Thailand overweight that can share their experience? Did they feel embarrassed or even worse? Yes I should have lost weight... not my question thanks

The Thai people are wonderful, warm and friendly. But they may comment on size/weight if it's relevant in the moment.

For instance, my DH is a tall, well built man. Not really overweight, but quite stocky. The Thai people thought this was hilarious, and made comments when trying to find a harness for parasailing to fit him. It involved a lot comments of 'You big man, you big man!' and peals of laughter. But it never felt mean or malicious.

We went white water rafting, and our dinghy got stuck on a rock. The Thai instructor told us that is was because 'Westerners are fat'. It was all said in a very matter of fact way, and didn't somehow seem to be a criticism.

But it's not as if we were approached in the street to be told we were large people. It only came up when relevant, and at that point just seemed to be said as a piece of information, it wasn't meant as a negative comment.

This is hilarious 😂

I lived in Thailand for a while when I was considerably thinner than I was now - I would have been size 10-12. I was told several times that I was “pretty but fat” etc 🙄. And also when I went to a department store to buy pants (knickers) and asked for medium, they fell about laughing and told me I’d need XXL!

I lived in Thailand as a size 6 and still had to buy XL in knickers!

I'm trying to get down to 9st before we go to Thailand in late November and now I'm wondering whether 8 St 7 is possible 😅 I wonder what they'll say about 6ft 2 DH!

I lived in Thailand for several years and yes it is very common to have people comment on your size.
There is absolutely nothing malicious in it as far as I could see but it can be really shocking if not used to it.

I was a size 8 when I lived there and told several times by retail size to come in as they ‘big size for you, madam’
Always, made me scratch my head a bit as, contrary to most people’s belief, very overweight Thai people do exist!

My friend visited who was very overweight and she had to put up with a lot, one person going as far as to wobble her belly.
Another male relative visited and was called Papa King Kong several times.

Pum pui is what they say when referring to being overweight.
However, as you are going on holiday you will generally be in contact with staff in the tourism sector who will treat you with warm professional courtesy. I doubt you will encounter any comments.

Please dont worry about any of this, you will have an amazing time and meet lots of lovely people.

People are all different shapes & sizes, everywhere in the world (I have been to lots of countries)

Please concentrate on enjoying your holiday

Thai people are very friendly & it is known as the land of smiles

I find it interesting that what is being described here is being touted as not malicious or negative in any way, but is purely focused on looks and comedy of the bigger person, yet in the UK when people talk about others being overweight and the health implications, its seen as rude or negative or 'shaming'

Whats being described here seems far more shaming to me, than a focus on reducing obesity as a medical condition.

Bizarre.

I was a size 16 when I went to Thailand. No one commented that I remember, but when I went to buy some elephant trousers I was definitely in the absolute max size they did. I don't think people particularly care either way, but they won't whisper politely to make you feel better than yourself.

😂😂

@bellac11 It's just cultural differences. Not everything that is rude in one country is rude in another. For example, burping after a meal in China is polite as it means you have been well fed. It doesn't have the same meaning in the UK so it's seen as rude or uncivilised. Doesn't mean that either is wrong or out to shame you, just different.

Definitely does in Thailand!

If you're a tourist in a tourist place doing tourist things, you'll be fine. DO NOT go clothes shopping though. Seriously, they have shops that are meant for "larger sizes" (that are actually about a size 12 for us!) that are called things like "Fatty Bum Bum" and "Moo Moo Fat Girls".

I am not kidding.

😂

I've seen those youtube videos. It's hilarious. I've been to many countries in Asia. I'm size 8/10 and I am a M. I don't think 14/16 really exists other in in plus size ranges.

My ex-SIL went to Thailand a few years ago and unfortunately the airline lost her luggage. She was probably about a size 14 and is 5ft 10 tall. Poor woman spent her entire holiday in a selection of about 5 items of clothing she could find to fit her in the local shops.

I am not kidding.

I Googled.

I'm a size 20-22 and didn't give a second thought whilst in any part of Asia. Mind you, I didn't do a great deal of clothes shopping over there 😂

Nobody, as far as I'm aware, glanced even twice at me in Thailand!

Wow those shops are brilliant!!!

'Where did you get your massive lard arse trousers?'

'Love Calories actually'

I've been to Thailand 10x and love the people, food, atmosphere etc. 1 thing DH and I were asked is what we did for a living and what we earnt. Apparently not seen as a rude comment. DH was called 'big man' but he is 6'2, but I'm not aware of any other size comments.

I did try buying shoes once, when I was in a department store with some lovely designs. I have a UK size 6 foot. There were giggles, one climbed up a ladder and literally blew the dust off the box, and proudly produced the 'big size'. They all cheered with 'big size, yes, big size'. Hilarity, until I couldn't fit my hoof into their big size. 😬

Lots of smiles and thank you etc and I slinked away and decided not to try for shoes in Thailand again. 😂

Fat giant 😂 love it

Partly down to the old fashioned idea that being fat means you are wealthy so not starting with the negative connotations.

Also, it works the other way, I lost a lot of weight whilst there and my lovely friends at local cafe all came and sat down to tell me ‘ I not fat so good now, not beautiful now’ complete with sad faces all round.

Plus a totally different culture, not deemed rude to ask every last detail about you, to walk over and pick up your child and share them with everyone who wants a hold. To ask exact earnings etc.

However, extremely rude to touch someone’s head, to point feet at them etc.