"Thai Spicy?"

This is a common question when you go into a restuarant that serves foreigners such as ourselves. You can choose the level of spicy. BUT, if it is truly a local hangout like today, which was a "buffet" of sorts, you get what they have, no choice. On our way to visit a village where rubber plantation workers live, we stopped with the Health Team at one of their standard food stands outside of Phang Nga. We had a variety of dishes, including shrimp with curry and chicken and morning glory, all served with rice. Tears were literally pouring from my eyes from the spices. We have learned that rice and cucumbers are supposed to mitigate the impact of the spice. Water is a fuel for the fire. Nothing much helped me out here! And I thought that after over a month here I had gotten more accustomed to the level of spice. I must now admit that I may have graduated to "Thai Spicy" at touristy places, but NOT where the real locals eat.