Similarities and differences between Mexico and Thailand
After reading the name of the post you could think there are no similarities between these two countries, as one is in North America and the other in Asia. Completely different cultures, right? In many things that is true. But I found a lot of similarities between my favorite country Mexico and Thailand (still in my top 10 countries).
Similarities between Mexico and Thailand
Small grocery street stalls – some streets are full of them. But all you can get usually there is something to drink and pretty much junk food, such as french fries and cookies; no fruit or vegetable unfortunately.
street stalls in Mexico City
Smell on the streets – For Europeans, streets of both Mexico and Thailand are a bit smelly. But the smell is a mixture of two – kind of dirt in both cases and then in Mexico it is more of a meat smell as they are selling meat everywhere at the streets. While the smell in Thailand is more of the fried oil.
Beaches – those of the Caribbean side of Mexico (beaches of the state Quintana Roo, such as Tulum or Playa del Carmen) are very cool and lovely, clean, with white sand and turquoise water. Those of islands of Thailand (e.g. Koh Lanta, Koh Phangan) are similar, absolutely awesome.
Prices – for the Western world, both Mexico and Thailand are cheap for the tourists. The food is cheaper in Thailand, while the transport is a bit more expensive in Thailand.
Vegetables – both Mexican and Thai cuisine are not very open to vegetables (but I really hope it’s going to change soon). A bit is always there but you cannot actually order a vegetable salad at many places. Are you a vegetarian? Bad luck then! Meat and seafood form the main part of almost all the dishes.
Fruit – it is quite easy to get some fruit at the streets, supermarkets and outside tourist attractions in both Mexico and Thailand. Whole fruit or cut ones for you to pick.
fruit in Thailand
English – speaking English is not very common in Mexico, but even less common in Thailand. At least in Mexico in the tourist places where the Americans go, English is often used, such as in Cancun.
Weather – there are rainy and dry hot seasons in both Thailand and Mexico.
Spicy food – spicy hot sauces and chilli are the main ingredient of many Mexican meals and Thai food as well. Then rice, chicken and pork are traditional for both cuisines, too.
Homeless people – unfortunately, there are a lot of poor and homeless people (as well drunk in Mexico City) living at the streets.
Traffic – they just drive like crazy in Thailand and Mexico. Seatbelt is not often worn, not even the helmets on the motorbikes. Transport in Mexico is similar to the Thai one.
Dogs – there are these homeless dogs without hair everywhere but they do not do anything to passers-by.
Lime – they do not have yellow big lemon in both Mexico nor Thailand (the one we are used to in most European countries), just the green lime is found everywhere. Most of the time, they call it lemon, not lime, anyway.
Toilets – most of the time it is prohibited to flush the paper down the toilet in Mexico the same as in Thailand. But there are many so called Turkish toilets all over Thailand which are not very famous in Mexico. And in Thailand you have a small bucket or something similar to poor the water in and flush the toilet with it, while in Mexico most toilets do have the flush.
Smoking – in comparison with for example Europe, you will not really see many Mexicans nor Thai people at the streets having a cigarette, which I really liked.
Children – children of Mexican and Thai people are just playing all aroiund the places, in clothes or without them, with parents not really checking them out. They have this kind of freedom European children do not have.
Religion – Catholicism and rituals of native inhabitants of Mexico, the same as Buddhism and Muslim religion of Thailand are very important part of life of people.
a temple in Thailand
Differences between Mexico and Thailand
Trains – There are no passenger trains in Mexico but there are trains of 3 different classes in Thailand which are cheaper than buses.
People – the Mexicans smile at you all the time, they talk to you even if you do not ask them anything, they are just interested in you and they want to know where you are from, what are you doing there etc. The Thais look a bit more arrogant, you don’t really get a smile that often and no one really cares about the tourists, at least in Bangkok. Thai people living on the islands are nicer and smile more so I guess it is because of them why Thailand is called the land of smiles :)
Alcohol – tequila, mezcal and pulque are widely drank in Mexico. However, it seems less alcohol is used all over Thailand.
Gentlemen – there are no gentlemen in Thailand, but on the contrary, Mexico is just the country of gentlemen. The Mexicans will open the door for a girl and even close it after you, move out of your way, help you … but the Thais just not. It is much easier to get used to the Mexican mentality, especially if you are a woman :)
Looks – the Thai people are very skinny and small but many Mexicans are a bit obese and small so choose what you like.
Restaurants – it is easier to find different kind of food (not only the traditional one) in Mexico, there are Japanese, Italian, French, Argentinian restaurants everywhere etc. But in Thailand, usually only in the huge shopping malls you can find some foreign food, but nothing really like for example pizza. There are few places with Western food, and if there are, they mostly offer just french fries and omelette.
Danger – Mexico is said to be one of the most dangerous countries in the world and generally speaking it is more dangerous than Thailand, indeed. I feel pretty safe when walking anywhere in Thailand. However, in Mexico you have to know where not to go and use your common sense to know where it is kind of safe for you.
Tips – there is this kind of unwritten rule in Mexico that you just have to leave tips of at least 10% of the price, e.g. in restaurants. But in Thailand if you leave a tip, they will look at you without really knowing what to do. It is not common here at all.
Bus trips – if you arrange a bus trip in Mexico, it will always leave exactly on time and come to your final destination on time, too. But in Thailand, the buses/minivans I took were all late at least 2 hours, after so many stops at restaurants and changing the vans/buses.
Drive – in Mexico you drive on the right, on the left in Thailand though.
Massages – Thai massage is well-known around the world, but in Mexico do not expect to find many places where you can get a massage. Unfortunately! Nothing like the magic fingers orgasm on Koh Chang :)
foot massage in Bangkok
Vivien
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Hi, nice to read some info.
I think the experience in Thailand as a man or a woman is extremely different, and I think Thailand is better for men and Mexico better for women. As a male, you get smiles many times a day in Thailand. Women own the streets and the tourist scenes in Thailand. They are the face of the country. Men are sometimes in the background but I agree that they are not gentlemen usually, and not generous like the Mexicans for sure.
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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You are very right, Vivien! I agree with everything you said ;)
Jay
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Hey, I found this blog while looking for the differences between these 2 countries.
I taught English in Thailand for 3 years but have never been to Mexico. I am thinking of doing a jaunt in ESL there for a bit.
Do you know anything about the day to day lives of expats there compared to Thailand (job prospects, salaries, living standards). I also heard that Mexico is quite dangerous. Thailand is pretty safe but westerners do regularly get stared at, harassed and scammed (especially in touristy areas). Will this happen to me in Mexico too? I am caucasian but of darker (southern European) complexion and I know some basic Spanish to get around after previous travels in Spain.
Sorry about the dumb questions but Mexico is a country I’m very intrigued by!
Thanks!
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Jay, thanks for your comment. You so should go to Mexico, it’s my country number 1 :) I don’t know much about jobs for expats in Mexico but it’s not so cheap than Thailand. Some places more than others. I wouldn’t worry about any danger, just use your common sense where not to go and what not to do. Most of the destinations are safe, except the North and some parts of Mexico City. Personally, I only saw 1 person getting robbed in Puebla, and also my laptop was stolen from a friend’s house together with his things, but nothing else. Still love Mexico to the bits.
Meagan
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Great article about Guanajuato Mexico! They are beautiful and accurately correct what you have shared on your blog. Your information helped me very much on my project about Mexico. So, thank you dear and keep it up.
Angel
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Great article! As a Mexican who’s lived the American life for over a decade now, I absolutely agree with your views of Mexico from a western perspective. You’re the only article on the web that truly compares Mexico “vs” Thailand. Thank you for the info as I’m looking to travel for a year to Thailand soon.
Fabian
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Thank you for your comparison. It was entertaining to read. But I really wonder for how long you stayed in the two countries. I might not consider myself as an expert, but having lived 1
year in Thailand and 2 in Mexico, I would say that I did get some impressions apart from the tourist stuff. And these impressions partly don’t match at all with yours… How long did you
stay in these countries and where did you go?
“Small grocery stalls – no fruit or vegetable”:
I’ve never been to a country where fruit stalls are as abundant as in Thailand… In Mexico, the vendors who sell jicama and cucumber with chamoy are also pretty common.
“Vegetables – Are you a vegetarian? Bad luck then!”:
I’ve never been to a country where EVERYBODY understands the concept of vegetarianism and veganism as properly as in Thailand (I’m vegetarian). Not too surprising considered the large
number of (supposedly) vegan monks over there, and therefore extremely convenient – just everything will be veganized for you, as soon as you ask. And you know Som Tam and all the other
“Yam” (salad) dishes?! I mean, that’s pure veggies (as long as you leave out the fish sauce). And they even have a vegetarian festival for one week all over the country.
“People – the Mexicans smile at you all the time, The Thais look a bit more arrogant, you don’t really get a smile that often. Thai people living on the islands are nicer and smile more”:
Actually, to me Thais seemed to smile a LOT more than Mexicans. It’s just not part of the Mexican macho culture to show such a “fragile” emotion. Moreover, even among Thais there’s
consensus that the natives living on the islands are less “friendly” and more aggressive than the people living more in the northern parts… Even many Thais coming from the islands told
me this. So, it’s interesting that your opinion was vice versa. Regarding Bangkok, I think you shouldn’t expect people from ANY big city in the world to be too interested in anybody else.
But still – as soon as you leave the very centre of BKK (that is, leaving the area served by the BTS), you can get in touch with really nice and interested folks.
“Looks – Thai people are very skinny, Mexicans are a bit obese”:
Considered that we are talking about Mexico, the fattest country in the world, this comment is probably “a bit” understated. On the other hand – there are a lot of VERY big Thais as well,
especially in the cities, where sugar loaded stuff is available 24/7 (or more precisely “7 Eleven”).
“Restaurants – But in Thailand, usually only in the huge shopping malls you can find some foreign food, but nothing really like for example pizza.”:
Once again, I think your time in Thailand was much too short. The whole area starting at Asok in BKK is “owned” by Japanese – even the street signs are written in Japanese. And guess what:
There’s almost only “foreign” food. And of course you can get a LOT of pizza in Thailand as well. By the way: Most pizzas you get in Mexico are either American, Argentinian, or even
“Mexican” – so from countries very close to Mexico. To make a fair comparison you should try to find Thai, Vietnamese, or Japanese food in Mexico. Thai? Somewhat difficult. Japanese? Not
authentic at all. Vietnamese? Non existent. But what is more: Outside of the tourist areas it can be VERY difficult in both countries to find anything else apart from the local cuisine. I
suppose you stayed mainly in the tourist regions…
“Bus trips – come to your final destination on time, too.”:
Erm… no comment… Please let me know the company – up to now I have used the wrong one…
All in all, I really liked your post and I don’t want to say that you are wrong, but I think if you had lived for more time in these countries (once again, perhaps you have, I just don’t
know) with more contact to the locals (and speaking the local language, which might be a bit of a challenge in Thailand) your comparison would have been a bit different.
Best regards,
Fabian
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Thanks for your super long comment Fabian, I wish I had an hour to reply to it but I really don’t. Obviously, I wrote about my experience, not saying that yours cannot be different. Just a few points – after visiting 19 states out of 32 in Mexico I’ve never seen any nation smiling so much like them, probably maybe the Costa Ricans. Thai are far behind in this. 2 years after visiting Mexico I am still in touch with at least 30 people, but never talked to any Thai person ever since. Plus, I lost a lot of weight in Thailand just because it was impossible to ask for a vegetarian/vegan meal – I’m as much vegan as possible, now even raw vegan – or they seemed not to understand, or everything was super spicy and I just could not eat it. I agree there are not many foreign restaurants in Mexico but I never needed one, I don’t like Asian food but love Mexican food. Visiting many places vs. living in one place is completely different and you should not compare it in my point of view, as when you live somewhere, you find where to go, what to do and you meet the same people there, and they can even make you different dishes; which does not happen if you are a tourist there ;) Been to Mexico twice – altogether 4 months around, and to Thailand 3 times – maybe 6 weeks or so.
Sophie
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I loved the article too but totally agree with a lot of your points about Thailand – I’ve never been to Mexico (will be going there for about 6 months in less than a year) but have lived in Pai, Northern Thailand, for now a total of about 16 months apart from various visa runs and short trips, and I’m in love with the place x
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Thanks Sophie! Yes, Thailand is amazing :) But I love Mexico even more :)
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Alexandra:
You will fall in love with Mexico at first sight, guaranteed :) Really jealous, I miss Mexico every day!
Martin Azcue
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Come back any time. I am from Acapulco Mexico!
Alexandra
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I’m heading to Mexico next month! I love Thailand. After reading this it sounds like I should enjoy Miexico as well ;)
crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ noel:
Haha yeah, I was not mentioning different ways of how Mexico and Thailand run the country :)
noel
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you forgot to mention that thailand has a king who is well revered by his countrymen :)
crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Simon:
Go to Mexico and then let me know what you think :)
Simon
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Interesting post! I would never have paired Thailand and Mexico up but now that you have I can see they kinda go together in a funny sort of way. I have been to Thailand but not Mexico – yet!
crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Kar Cheung:
Kar, you should definitely go to Mexico, my number 1 country! It is hard to choose just one place there, I love so many there!
Kar Cheung
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Hey Sexy!
I would never have thought that Thailand would be described as being similar to Mexico…Living here in London we only get reports of how dangerous it is…Maybe I will add it to my places to visit list for 2013 :)
Where do you recommend is a good place to go in Mexico?
crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Micamyx|Senyorita:
Haha I think I wrote this post still before I visited the Philippines :)
Micamyx|Senyorita
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Nice to read your insights about it, although I was expecting a Mexico-Philippines article hehe :P
crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Octavio_B_F:
I know, people say Mexico is dangerous and I do believe there are places where it is, but the normal Mexicans are so nice to the tourists! I know from my personal experience, spent 3 months there :)
Octavio_B_F
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Nice Article! As a Mexican, it´s sad hear about that México is a Dangerous Country. But don´t worry. We are millions of Mexicans that will receive you with a hug, and a smile. Viva México cabrones!! jejeje it´s just a phrase. Greetings from México!! Señorita Alex.