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Terry, you situation is NOT uncommon and I think you're barkin' up the wrong tree with your "reasoning" on why your thai significant other wouldn't ask for directions..
It has everything to do with the mythical thing known as "face" and the incessant penchant of these ever smiling, yet diminutive people to save it, give it, get it, but NOT lose it.
It also has to do with the "cultural rules of engagement" regarding conversations where a thai will lie easier than they'll tell the truth if even a hint of "face" is at stake.
Now there are a couple possible things that happen if you have your "thai-in-tow" ask for directions;
1) the person she asks thinks she's a fuck wit for not knowing where it is she's going = she loses face
2) the person she asks, who should know the directions to where you want to go doesn't know = they lose face
The ONLY possible ways this can play out are;
1) the thai she asks directions from has to lie, tell you to keep going the way you are even though it's the wrong way = face is saved and you'll eventually find out you're goin' the wrong way
2) the thai she asks but doesn't know lies again, tells you to keep going even though they have no idea if t's the wrong way = face is saved and again you'll eventually find out you're goin' the wrong way.
I found IF you ever need directions it's better to poll a few thaiz (usually an odd number of them so there's no deadlock in consensus). If you can get 3 out of 5 thaiz to agree, I'd say you have a better than 50% chance of getting at least semi-accurate directions.
I concur, terry seems to be assimilating quite nicely with the indigenous natives, good on you for becoming "one with the collective".
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Thai's for the most do not travel other than by paid conveyance, exceptions being owners of cars these days. Most leave the decisions regarding direction to the drivers/operators of these travel vehicles, air, train, bus, or van.
Map reading class was omitted from most Thais education, as apparently it was from Terry's.
My wife is excellent co-pilot now as she has mastered the art of map reading in both Thai and English. Try showing a map to almost any Thai and the certainty is that they cannot read it. When all you do is go from home to the market and back maps have little value.
Asking directions as stated is a sign of your ignorance in Thai views, better to float aimlessly along unknown roadways until you actually find the correct one.
Next time Terry, buy a map or get a rental car with a GSM...not that you'd be able to use either.
Handbag, classic respect from Terry.
