Thai people have ruined it.
Not because of their greed - they are no greedier than any other race - they just expect everything for free. There are too many jobs with Thai's doing fuck all, like my apartment manager being asleep on a sofa in his office when I wanted to pay my water bill this morning.
The security guards are rarely at their post, and the security guards and airport style entrance to MBK from the BTS walkway is a fucking joke - it beeps at everyone who passes under yet nobody is ever checked - what is the point? A similar pointless job is the bored shitless security guards at the MTR stations who just glance into your bag when you could have 5 kilos of Semtex under your books.
It's like they want to make money with no effort, not even the least effort like many of us but absolutely no effort - and it is mostly the younger generation Thai's that ae guilty of this. They will sell headphones that simply don't work, they will sell whatever shit they can, and Thailand is one of the few places you will pay 500 baht for a coin sized Sizzler steak in a place that considers itself a professional restaurant chain yet to use the toilet you not only have to exit the restaurant and find it, you have to pay 3 thb to enter.
They are xenophobic and even outcast their own kind for having what should be considered natural skin tones.
Returning to Thailand, I realize I am in a country full of amateurs that have lost it somewhere down the line because they were paying too much attention to us in the west - now most of the city populus seems to be bored and lazy uniformed organic mannequins who sit at BTS stations waiting to sell microwaved pizza or 'Green Music' and twiddle their thumbs in a silly hat.
They expect tips as a given - on top of a mediocre meal and unenthusiastic service. They are too lazy to even bring you a bill in some places and you have to go to the counter. They have overlooked the fact that tips are earned, not expected.
The airport is a disgrace - an ostentatious 'look at how rich we are now' statement instead of a practical hub with decent toilets and eating facilities for those with a budget under 500 baht.
The traffic and pollution is a huge problem but not to them so long as they don't have to sacrifice their cars and 'loose face' by taking the public transport like they used to. The traffic pisses them off, but it's better to be seen in a car than get somewhere in time and protect their environment.
The public transport is actually very good despite the complete lack of character on the MTR - a showy predacessor to the airport with the silly name.
Thailand does have some great food, (some things don't and won't change) - and it is generally a safe place, especially Bangkok. The shopping and cinema facilities are impressive and varied and upcountry the markets are still impressive. The architecture isn't bad also for such a lazy, childish, gormless nation who shuffle along and get in the way unlike those of us in HK, London or New York who have things to do and people to meet... That said, I wonder how much of the modern architecture is all Thai?
The old architecture, wats and buddahs are evidence that at one time the Thai people did have some passion, individuality and style and were capable of great effort into things without any foreign influence or help.
Generally they are good people, and though cruel to animals they are not as guilty as the Chinese and are more capable of showing compassion than many of their Asia neighbors. They are generally kind and good natured - sometimes even if there isn't anything in it for them - and they smile a lot and sometimes it is genuine.
I can't think of much else, not enough to consider still being here in 2010 when things will be more different, perhaps for the better - perhaps for the worst.