Thread: So, what's really changed in Thailand after 10 years

As the title suggests this is where you can add your suggestions as to how Thailand has altered since about 2002.

Obviously exchange rates and technology, but has that improved the place or not?

More shopping malls, has this increased consumerism and tourist revenue?

Have sales of temple tours and silk risen?

10 years more of worthless Farang residents.

Tesco have built 1 or 2 new places.!!!

A big increase of farangs who reside / survive in Thailand, thus cheapening the novelty for many who have been established there a while. (Oh no, not another bloody english teacher)

In many an old day, places like Pattaya would still be rocking some place at 4.30am, you could easily be out all night, but the sharp shock Taksin gave the entertainment industry alienated many, including the bent cops, who were bewildered by this action.

Thailand the all night party destination? Not any more, although it's been compromised in the last few years back to 1 or 2am and there are low end places one can patronise until 5am (Spicy Club for example).

During the flood crisis last year Kao San Road was still blasting music at 5.30am, probably to try and increase lost revenues.

So, what's really changed in Thailand after 10 years

Meet the Shinawatras.

Yeah I agree but in general the girls haven't changed that much....still can't take the bar out of the girl. Just that now the conniving, multi-mobile phone owning Isaan girls are quite common in London brothels now.

Originally Posted by SpicyMartin

Oh, and delightfully naive stool perching young ladies discovering KFC, MacD's, mobile phones and the internet and becoming....... well, you know!

Becoming f**king unbearable.

Originally Posted by DJ Pat

A big increase of farangs who reside / survive in Thailand, thus cheapening the novelty for many who have been established there a while.

Nope - been the same, less for a short while, more for a short while, evening out like only an average should

Originally Posted by DJ Pat

In many an old day, places like Pattaya would still be rocking some place at 4.30am,

I'm in BKK but I've heard this still goes on in Pattaya

Originally Posted by SpicyMartin

The last 10 years has seen the invasion of large groups of anthem chanting lager swilling shaven headed 3 lions tattooed football shirted gentlemen I wish had stayed holidaying in Benidorm!

Last 30 years before that too

definitely more ruskies than 10 years ago.

More Ruskies, Indians, Chinese tourists, annoying people on the Skytrain.

The only substantive change is that a large group of people put their foot down, and stood up for their much abused Right of Suffrage in Thailand. Going forward, that changes the political landscape somewhat- certainly, coup d'etat will not be seen as the 'easy option' any more.

Apart from that, it's the usual developing economy story- more Malls selling brands, more cars, more Kubota's, more rules. A growing middle class. Take out the Buddhist garb, and Bangkok resembles any other second world metropolis now.

Originally Posted by sabang

A growing middle class. Take out the Buddhist garb, and Bangkok resembles any other second world metropolis now.

I disagree a little bit.

The streets are still a mess of greasy foodstalls, beggars and dogs

^ Yep- like any other second world metropolis really.

I'd still say 3rd world until they clear slums and clean up the canals. The trouble is that the canals don't actually flow anywhere, ie. the river, because many were blocked off and they now resemble putrid, stagnant foul smelling swamps of shit and sewage...call that 2nd world? Where do you live, Lagos? or Mumbai?

Worse- Isaan.

Second world is a misnomer- I should say developing world. Still the extremes of squalor and opulence, wealth and poverty, of the third world- but basically less squalor, more wealth, and a noticeable middle class. First time I set foot in Bangkok was 1982- I would definitely have called it third world then.

I would safely say that Isaan has not and will not change so fast. It's not their fault, but I reckon they don't really care anyway.

Originally Posted by DJ Pat

It's not their fault, but I reckon they don't really care anyway.

They don't really, and I would hold them at fault if they did. The same 'trends' are extant in Isaan as elsewhere, but the reason it will never be the most affluent part of Thailand is the same reason it will probably remain the happiest part.

Issan, same same. Rural life still revolves around the temple, whisky and rice. As some have said it's still the best part of the country.

^People may tire of the city life and the intrusion of technology in their lives and return to basics.

Originally Posted by DJ Pat

^People may tire of the city life and the intrusion of technology in their lives and return to basics.

You don't truly believe that utopian cant, do you?

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by DJ Pat

^People may tire of the city life and the intrusion of technology in their lives and return to basics.

You don't truly believe that utopian cant, do you?

Of course not.

Originally Posted by OhOh

Issan, same same.

Yep. Any change is of little consequence and transient. Sure bigger shops, vehicles, fashion changes, TVs and the like but fundamentally the same as when I first set foot in the country, 40 plus years ago.

They're bigger and fatter now than ten years ago.

Originally Posted by Norton

the same as when I first set foot in the country, 40 plus years ago.

A tasty "crop" is produced year after year.