"You've put on weight!" Body comments in Thailand

Sooner or later a Thai friend, colleague or landlady will greet you with อ้วนขึ้นนะ 'you've put on weight' or ผอมลงนะ 'you've lost weight'. In Thailand, comments about bodies are often treated like comments about the weather: an observation that shows someone noticed you, not a judgement. Nicknames like อ้วน, เตี้ย or ดำ are common and often affectionate. That doesn't mean it never stings, and younger urban Thais are increasingly questioning it. You don't need to copy the habit. An easy, face-saving reply is a laugh and กินเยอะ 'I eat a lot', or ใช่ 555. Compliments run the same way, and they are frank: หล่อ, สวย and น่ารัก come freely.