New Year Start | Food, Care & Thai Life

New Year in Thailand – Food, Care & Everyday Life

The New Year in Thailand doesn’t always begin with fireworks and celebrations. For us, it starts quietly — with errands, lunch, and the everyday realities of life here.

Chanya arrives home from the hospital after taking Mum for her regular checkup. While waiting, the car insurance company calls, which leads to a bit of casual chat — and a confession from me that I’ve mostly given up trying to make “serious” videos when Chanya is around. She explains she came home early because there was another two-hour wait at the pharmacy for Mum’s medication.

For lunch, Chanya chooses a ramen place in Om Yai, located at a PPT station that feels more like a small shopping hub than a petrol stop. We get seated at La Mian, and when the manager sees me scanning the menu with my phone, she kindly brings over an English menu and shares a bit of the restaurant’s story — in English.

As we settle in, I mention some of the small New Year changes that often happen in Thailand around this time, along with a brief plug for our Patreon Free content. The ramen arrives, and while I’m no food critic, it’s genuinely good — which leads into a wider reflection on food, transport, and why Thai food often feels more distinctive than global fast-food chains.

After lunch, we wander around the PPT shops before heading off to do our regular shopping. Along the way, I talk about the Thai car insurance system — how pricing changes once warranties end, and how service options can vary depending on where you want repairs done.

In the Big-C car park, I spot an unusual Honda V-Twin before we head back to the hospital to collect Mum’s medication. Near the Tha Chin River, part of the road underpass is flooded, which understandably worries Chanya.

While she heads inside, I talk about the Thai custom where women in the family often take responsibility for elderly care — something I’m more than happy with. I also reflect on the Thai public hospital system, including how it handled Ben’s motorcycle accident entirely free of charge.

Chanya returns with a month’s supply of medication, again at no cost. I mention that as a foreigner living in Thailand with a Yellow Book, I can also access the public healthcare system.

We close out this New Year in Thailand with a calm reflection and a simple call to action.

If you’re new here, you can learn more about our life and why we document these everyday moments on our About Us page.

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