Every Thai restaurant I’ve ever been in has a framed portrait of King Bhumipol, usually with Queen Sikrit. There is usually a shelf with a vase of flowers as well.
So how come this place didn’t have oe? Are there any Thais who HATE the king?
I’ve been to several Thai restaurants, and not one has a portrait of the King, although most have some really fantastic art (carvings, murals, etc.). I wouldn’t necessarily take a portrait (or lack thereof) as indicative of anything.
Can I get any East Asian restaurant without that goddamn cat? I don’t want to look at that thing while I’m trying to enjoy my saba.
Sure, but then you’ll be eating rat droppings.
Properly seasoned, this can be rather enjoyable.
That is a nugget of wisdom truly worthy of life commandment status.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff
- Use sunscreen
- Properly seasoned, anything can be rather enjoyable
Thais not only love their king, they revere him.
Not only all restaurants (and as far as I’ve seen all shops and most houses) have a picture and/or small shrine dedicated to King Bhumipol, they also have the same for King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). In my office there’s a small statue of him in white tie attire and top hat, which is always surrounded be fresh flowers, a pack of cigars and a glass of, I think, whisky or brandy!
That not being nearly enough, in some restaurants and shops, usually family business, there are also pictures of foreparents, with flowers, candles and what not.
It seems a little weird at the beginning, but then I reasoned that it’s not all that different from the small Catholic shrines you can find in some places dedicated to some saint or another.