Signs of the times, or, Thais. What do you collect on your travels?

Some people collect sea shells. I collect signs.

Diehard, travel-in-my-blood explorer that I am, I enjoy other people’s interpretations of signs and how they work.

Here’s a shout out to friend and sign maker Marty Wall because I have new respect for what a misleading sign can lead to, e.g. a stolen shoe!

Especially good for clumsy drunks: clean up and have a cocktail at the same time!

If you can get your Durian into a balloon, is it then OK?

I think the Thai translation is incorrect. It says, “Please remove the muffler on your scooter.” [Boisterous Bangkok]

Extremely cool that even Ronald McDonald adapts to the local cultures.

Get an education, set up a business, get married, retire, and throw in a report of 90 days of … well, I don’t know. Talk about a one-stop shop! Even a taxi home!

Just think about how much a well-placed comma can save potential theft. Because, really, who is the victim and who is the perpetrator here? Are the non-Thais supposed to be watching out for the pickpocket gangs? Or are those infamous Dutch pickpocket gangs stealing tourists’ white shoulder bags again? Keep your eyes open!

There is just so much going on here, I can’t keep up with the sign. Should we put a price tag on our shoes? What if we don’t have it? Did he lose his shoe or is he warning us about our potentially lost shoe? Does the thief just take one? The high heels are usually what my wife wears while traveling, but this time she went with flip flops, so we’re probably OK. This time.

I especially like the scared-out-his-pants cuttlefish logo. Because, obviously, he’s about to become a flavoring on my green peas.

There’s just a certain poetic rhyme to this one, wrapped up in an existential meaning of self.

Whatever you do, don’t bring your guitar to the waterfall!

Good luck double checking that you really did have 4 of that first item. The Thai script is a beautiful mix of hieroglyphics and calligraphy.

But if he’s Brad Pitt, the logo is all wrong. Needs branding strategy advice. [On the back of a scooter.]

Is it that the soup is really bad or is it really what it says? And then it might be really bad. [clearly one of the kids’ favorites, remember we’re traveling with 4 young boys]