32--O21--Thailand

Rank: Original #21
Season # 5
Title:  Survivor: Thailand
Location: Ko Tarutao, Thailand
Broadcast: Fall 2002
New Players:  16
Returning Players: 0
Winner:  Brian Heidick
Final Tribal Council:  2 Players 7 Jury
Initial Tribes: Sook Jai and Chuay Gahn
Fake Merge: 10
Merge: at 8 Chuay Jai
Jury: at 8
Premise/Twists:  Tribes were initially picked by the oldest two players.  At 10, the two tribes joined together on the same beach.  Thinking it was a merge the tribes strategized together.  After two more tribal immunities, the two tribes merged.

Thailand is consistently ranked near the bottom in most rankings I've seen, but to me, it wasn't a bad season.  First the visual cultural part of the sets and visits made it pleasing to watch.   It's true the gameplay wasn't impressive.  The early incident with Ted and Ghandia, resulted in Ghandia leaving early because she would not let it go or accept Ted's apology, and Ted made it into the final 5.  The early challenges were very competitive, but things seemed to change at the reward challenge with the attack zone where several Sook Jai players were penalized for not engaging in the zone.    Sook Jai in general should have been the better tribe, but they were more individuals than team players.  In the end Chuay Gahn became a cohesive group and took out the entire Sook Jai tribe successfully before they removed themselves in the final 5.    I also enjoyed Helen's commentary throughout although she apparently annoyed many of her tribemates.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much from an individual level that stood out in plotting or big moves.  The biggest move seemed to be Chuay Gahn not disclosing information to Sook Jai when they lived together prior to the merge.  It's also notable in some of the challenges including the snorkel challenge, flag challenge, and final coin challenge as well as the reverse Loved Ones Food Eating Challenge.   There were also some touching moments such as in the final 4 of Sook Jai send off where they expressed genuine feelings for each other.

There was also some very bitter final 5 when they finally were forced to turn on each other.

Taking everything into account, I put it at #21 of the Original Cast Seasons.

Rob Has a Podcast Ranked this season at 38 on it's Top 40 Countdown 

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