What’s happening with over 10,000 Thais?
THAI EXPATS BELIEVE IN SEEKING HAPPINESS AND PLEASURE IN EVERYDAY LIFE
With over 10,000 expats reportedly living and working here, the Thai community in the UAE is a closeknit one. Thai people are some of the calmest you will ever come across and they believe in the concept of sanuk, which gets translated to having fun.
Dubai resident Raksa Champakde who has worked in the hospitality sector for over four years explains, “Sanuk is more than having fun; it’s about striving to achieve satisfaction and pleasure from whatever you do. We try and inject a sense of enjoyment into our daily lives as well as in the lives of those we meet. I miss the beaches and the vibe back home, mostly during Songkran, an important Thai festival, but the various community events that take place in the city make sure I have a good time despite of the distance from my homeland.”
Coming from the land of smiles, their happiness is infectious. A significant number of Thai expats in the UAE are skilled and semi-skilled workers employed in a range of industries such as petro-chemical, services, construction fields and hospitality sectors, and it is impossible to not come across their contagious smiles.
One of the popular Thai hangouts located in Jumeriah Lakes Towers (JLT) in Dubai is Café Isan, inspired by the flavours and distinct character of Northeastern Thailand. New Chaklang, the owner shares, “Café Isan is a home away from home for Thai people in Dubai. They come here to enjoy home-cooked meals, and to hang out with old friends and make new ones. We also host special events such as traditional Thai dress competitions and even Thai karaoke. I love Dubai because its clean and safe, offers good transport and is home to a vibrant culture. Happiness is an attitude and it comes from within and we, Thai people, know all about it.”
Songkran is celebrated in full swing across the UAE with hotels offering packages for the whole family as well as different community events that take place to celebrate the occasion. It falls on April 13 and it is that time of the year when most expats travel back home to visit the elderly in their families. One of the many important customs during the festival is called Rot Nam Dam Hua, where young people pay respects to the elderly by pouring water over their hands to seek their forgiveness and blessing. Huge water fights also mark the celebration across Thailand known as Len-Nam, which is also organised by the Thai consulate in Dubai.
Prapavadee Boonchuaykuakool, a representative of the Royal Thai Consulate–General in Dubai shares, “We frequently organise activities to bring the members of Thai community together such as cultural events, festivals like the Thai New Year, a Friday market in winter, sport activities such as the Dubai Super League Cup and Sawasdee Cup Golf tournament, and seminars on labour laws/local etiquette for Thai workers. Plus, we have Mobile Consular Units to assist people in Fujairah, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah. We also provide Thai professional culinary training in Dubai. Our year-round activities provide a good opportunity to catch up with each other, to know what is going on, and to get acquainted with consular matters that the Thai Consulate can provide assistance in.”
deepa@khaleejtimes.com