Mai Pen Rai: One Traveler’s Tale of How They Learned This Thai Phrase

Elise Margolin, a professional photographer, shares her first experience with the saying “Mai Pen Rai”. It is a popular phrase in Thailand meaning “it’s ok or it doesn’t matter”.

Check out her bio at the end of this post to also learn more about her amazing photography.  All of the pictures were taken by Elise.

“Say Goodbye Backpack! See you in Bangkok!”

Chris from Air China politely chuckled with me, as he grabbed my brand-new travel backpack from the scale and tossed it into a bin, onto a moving conveyor belt.

Within seconds, what I considered a pack full of minimalist essentials, was no longer within my sight. “Gate 9, have a nice flight, and enjoy Thailand! Next customer please…” says Chris.

As I headed down the departures corridor walking toward security, I could still hear Chris, going through his spiel with the next customer.

I’m going to Thailand. Legit Asia, I thought to myself.

I just deposited my necessary life essentials onto a conveyor belt and expected to see them on the other side of the world, 25 hours and one trip across the international dateline later.

Everything was a blur as I placed my backpack onto the security belt, and headed into the X-ray machine.  Oddly for Newark International Airport, it was a quick and painless experience.

I tried to occupy my mind while I waited to board the plane since it would be 14 hours until I landed at my first stop which was a layover in Beijing.

The strangest thoughts go through your mind when you realize you will be trapped in a sky capsule for 14 hours. However, because the international dateline is involved, all sorts of weird time and date changes will go on before I’m on the ground again.

What feels like days later I finally land. This time in Bangkok.

It was noon on Saturday when I left. It is now early Monday morning, 12:30 A.M. to be exact. I couldn’t wait to grab my backpack and get to my hotel.

It had been 25 hours and all I wanted to do was eat something and lay down in a real bed.

As I stood in front of the baggage claim carousel I noticed the words “Last Bag” on the overhead screen, next to my flight and airline number.

Ha funny? I thought to myself. It says the last bag, but I don’t have my backpack yet.

Was it 25 hours ago when Chris from Air China said “Say bye! See you in Bangkok!”? At this point, I fancy Chris a huge liar and my wild New Yorker attitude is about to come out.

I’m tired. I’m nervous. I’m a little scared, and well yeah. All of it.

Frantic, I flag down a Thai airport employee. “What? What does that mean?! Last bag? OMG, what?! How can this be?! YOU HAVE TO HELP ME RIGHT NOW! RIGHT NOW!” I exclaimed.

First, she smiles and laughs in my face. Next, she says “Last bag, means….last bag” in a very calm and well-mannered tone.  My NYC self couldn’t handle it.

My hands flailing around, my face red, and tears starting to run down my sad disheartened face. And don’t even get me started on the sweat that was now drenching my armpits. Where was my backpack??!!

The woman says “Follow signs. Over there. They help you.” How does she stay so calm? I asked myself.

Was my New York attitude just put in its place? If this situation were reversed, I can’t say how many New Yorkers would remain calm with a foreigner screaming in their face while at their place of work.

And then I learned how she was so cool and collected.

Mai Pen Rai

Its literal translation can mean “It’s OK”, “Don’t worry” or “Never mind”. However, it’s a way of life in Thailand for sure. The Mai Pen Rai lifestyle is the Thai knack for keeping cool in taxing or annoying situations.

It’s pretty remarkable.

I would say a crazed, crying maniac from New York City, screaming in your face in English, is an annoying and taxing situation for sure. And the employee remained as cool as a cucumber.

Come to find out my bag was sent to a different area, but the staff were so calm and friendly it was hard to be mad at all. Mai Pen Rai.

Forty-five minutes later, my bag was found and off I went to explore the Land of a Million Smiles, with me having one of those smiles…

About the author:

Elise Margolin is a professional photographer with a serious case of wanderlust. After spending a summer teaching in Thailand, her love of photography was born.  When she is not snapping pics, she is also a wiz at fixing any Apple products! Follow Elise’s adventures on her Instagram account.