Written by Team Expique
Published: July 26, 2022
During my time with Expique as a customer service and operations professional, I truly felt at home. The flexibility of the work environment and the strong, family-like team we fostered prior to COVID made my experience special. As I step into the role of General Manager, I aspire to rebuild a similar team and recreate that flexible work atmosphere. I am optimistic about expanding Expique beyond Bangkok and providing our clients with exceptional experiences.
But who am I, and am I Thai?
Although my first name may not seem traditionally Thai, and my reading and writing skills in Thai are limited, I communicate fluently like a local and hold a Thai passport. Here’s a bit of my story.
I was born Somboon Thiangtham in Bangkok, Thailand—a name that’s quite classical and rarely heard today. If a Thai person reads my name, they might chuckle a bit. “Somboon” translates to “Complete.” Interestingly, my last name is associated with a well-known politician, making it somewhat famous in Thailand.
However, I am of mixed heritage, half Thai and half Pakistani. My father moved from Pakistan around 35 years ago. While there is a small Pakistani community in Bangkok, I also identify with the Muslim demographic, which represents more than 3% of the Thai population.
At the age of four, my mother sent me to live in Pakistan with relatives, where I stayed until I turned 18. Initially known as Somboon, I returned to Thailand as Hamadkhan (Hamad), choosing this name as both Thai and Pakistani friends found “Somboon” amusing, as it sounds similar to “Soap” in Urdu.
I completed all my schooling in Pakistan and even earned a diploma in engineering before deciding to move back to Thailand. After 14 years away, my knowledge of Thailand was limited to Tom Yum and Som Tam.
Now, after 13 years back in Thailand, I’m still exploring its rich culture and diverse culinary delights. This is one of the reasons I love working at Expique—we’re all about helping others discover (or rediscover) the unique Thai culture.
Here is a bit more about my Thai Life
My Favorite Food:
My favorite dish in Thailand is Kao Krapao Nueu. I’ll let you try pronouncing it yourself to see if you can guess what it is (the answer is at the bottom). It’s available everywhere, from street vendors to Michelin-starred restaurants. Speaking of Michelin-starred restaurants, I’ve never actually eaten at one. It’s hard to justify spending over 1,000 THB when I can find the perfect dish on the street for just 40 THB.
As for my favorite side dish, it’s Yum Mamuang (try figuring this one out too – answer at the bottom). Just be cautious while eating it; it can be extremely spicy!
My favorite Thai dessert is Chau Kuay (watch your pronunciation here – answer at the bottom); it’s a black jelly-like treat made from lemongrass and dipped in syrup.
Do I Like Thailand?
Absolutely! I love Thailand; it feels like home. What I cherish most are the people, the culture, and the respect they show one another.
Particularly, I have a fondness for the Bangrak area in Bangkok. This is where I lived when I first returned, and it’s one of the oldest roads in Thailand, rich in traditional food and culture. For example, a midnight porridge shop is still busy, frequented by high-profile families who have been dining there for decades.
Sometimes, I’d find myself opting for OKFC (OK Fried Chicken), an easy meal costing just 10 THB for a boneless piece of chicken and 20 THB for a drumstick. While it’s not traditional Thai food, it’s a budget-friendly substitute for KFC. The food around the area is good, clean, and incredibly affordable; you can get a plate of rice with two dishes for just 40-50 THB.
As evening approaches, the area is alive with people stopping by street vendors for a variety of food on their way home from work. The area’s popularity is partly due to its historic bus station, which is the starting point for Bangkok’s first bus route—Bus No. 1—where many locals transfer buses.
The businesses and restaurants in this area boast over 70 years of history, allowing Bangrak to retain its rich and diverse heritage despite modernization. It’s a melting pot of Thai, Chinese, Christian, and Muslim communities.
I believe that preserving such history is essential for future generations to understand our origins.
One reason I enjoy working at Expique is that we not only help others explore Bangkok, but we also have the chance to deepen our own understanding of the city where I was born!
I hope you enjoyed my blog post and will share it with others. See you in Bangrak! By the way, you can discover Bangrak on our East Meets West Walking Tour.
Would you like to meet the rest of the Expique Team? If so, read more here.
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