Thailand is famous for having temples at every streets and corners, but there is one thing that is rivaling its presence, they’re popping up virtually everywhere and at a lighting pace! It isssss…… the almightyyy…. 7-Eleven stores!  It was brought to Thailand many years ago by the CP Group, a famous family-owned Thai company that dominates the chicken market here, supplying fresh and frozen chickens to every supermarket in Thailand, neighboring countries, and probably Mars as well. They’ve expanded into many other businesses and it’s an understatement to say that they’re rich  Anyways, back to the 7-Elevens, it’s become an integral part of today’s Thai society as it has brought “convenient buying” to a whole new level. The Thai people (that includes myself) welcomed it wholeheartedly

It was not because of the Slurpy that won us over, but it’s the clean & air-conditioned shopping space offering a variety of goods, with cheap prices, good service, and best of all, it is opened 24 hours! Nowadays you can also pay your bills, airplane tickets, and even buy a Buddhist amulet at a 7 Eleven store (traditionally at the temples). Some people have met their soul mates and even met their demise there as well sadly

So when walking around Bangkok and seeing these 7 Elevens, don’t feel disgusted about how big businesses and commercialism is overtaking the traditional mom & pop shops and at the same time diluting the Thai culture (there are far worst things). Far from it, the mom & pops now own several 7 Elevens themselves and the Thai people have made the 7 Eleven their very own. We simply call it “Seven”, for example “Meet me at the Seven” or “Let’s go to the Seven”. And besides the Slurpy (which is not that popular), you can get a variety of Thai snacks such as “sala pao” (stuffed buns), “kanom jeeb” (steamed pork or shrimp rolls), yogurt drinks (my favorite) and so much more.

When you need a bottle of iced cold Ohisi green tea to quench your thirst on a sweltering day (which is nearly everyday), be glad that there is a 7-Eleven store just around the corner   Enjoy your Thai Xperience and do share it with us!