I just want to jot down a few thoughts about umbrellas in Thailand, as they are heavily used, particularly during the rainy season.

First, and foremost, umbrellas should be viewed as disposable.  They are easily forgotten in taxis, while shopping or during those intoxicated nights out on the town.  Therefore, I don’t recommend spending a lot of money on one.  If just visiting, pack one or two inexpensive compact umbrellas, and consider yourself fortunate if you return with the ones you brung.

For those that live here, it’s a bit different.  I like to keep a selection of different sizes and quality on hand.  I have one good quality standard sized umbrella that’s only use when I know the chances of leaving it somewhere are minimal.  The rest are a collection of inexpensive umbrellas in standard, medium and compact sizes.  I’ll then select one based on the weather conditions, and what I plan on doing.  For example, medium or compact umbrellas are better for nights out on the town.  Compact umbrellas are great if you want to toss a couple in a small shoulder bag for an all day outing.  Standard sized are ideal if you have to go out, such as to the grocery, and its already poring down rain.

I like to stock up on umbrellas at the beginning of the rainy season, with the expectation most will be gone by the time cold season (tourist time) rolls around.  Surprisingly, this year I’ve only lost one, and it wasn’t due to being left behind some place.  Despite the high standard of quality control exercised during the manufacture of 69B umbrellas, this one managed to self-destruct shortly after being placed into service.

Inexpensive umbrellas are for sale all over the place.  You can pick up a cheap one from street vendors, 7 Elevens, grocery stores, and Big C, to name a few.  Unfortunately, most cheap umbrellas in Thailand are a bit on the tacky side, in my opinion.  Perhaps I should be more polite and just say they are a bit whimsical in design.  No…they’re tacky.  Finding a cheap one in basic black, particularly with the compacts, is difficult.  I had been looking for some most of this season with no luck.  Then a friend happened to spot some in Robinsons Department Store and grabbed a couple for me.  What does it say when my day can be brightened up in a big way, because I just came into possession of two compact sized black umbrellas?

Despite the amount of rain we get here, the boys do not like to carry an umbrella when they go out.  They know damn well it’s going to rain, but I guess they are hopeful this will happen after they’ve reached their sheltered destination.  And heaven forbid a boy with his hair all done up gets wet.  He’d rather stand for an hour under cover than venture forward with the umbrella he consciously left back in the room.  Women are much better about bringing an umbrella with them, but it’s not so much about rain as it is the sun light.  Thais go out of their way to avoid getting dark skin, and an umbrella offers portable shade for the ladies.

While the boys, themselves, don’t like to take an umbrella, they’re more than accommodating when it comes to carrying yours.  I like to keep a selection of small shoulder bags on hand, so the boys can carry a couple of compacts and still have their hands free while we’re out.  Of course, this only works if the two of you are departing together on a planned outing.  For those unplanned meetings with a boy, just hand him your umbrella and he’ll willingly carry it for you.  It’s really quite practical, if you think about it.  Trying to manage an umbrella while reaching into your wallet to pay for things all the time is very inconvenient, a burden the boys are more than happy to relieve you of.

We westerners consider it bad luck to open an umbrella indoors, but Thais do not share this superstition.  Okay, maybe not all westerners do either, but Thais find it interesting we generally don’t like to open one inside.  Now that I am at least partially acclimated into Thai culture, I’m freed from the worries of bad luck coming my way due to the careless opening of an umbrella while under roof.  This has its advantages, as one would be foolish to not test a cheap umbrella before purchasing it.

Just in case it’s not obvious, I’ll go ahead and mention that failure to air dry a wet umbrella will almost certainly result in mildew setting in.  You don’t have to open it all the way to ensure proper drying.  Just hang it partially opened in the bathroom or laundry area and it will be fine.

There is a very important rule you must remember while living in Thailand during the rainy season.  If you leave the umbrella at home chances of rain are at about 85 percent.  Take one with you and the odds are only around 15 percent you’ll need to use it.