Quote Originally Posted by Timber View Post
I'm Thai. I slag off Thai's on a daily basis and do feel some remorse about it. I think it boils down to cultural relevance. Although I was born here and have 50% of the blood I don't think its an inherently Thai trait to approach life from the "mai bpen rai" point of view. I've encountered the same attitude in island cultures (not Thai) too. Its just different here. People aren't filled with the "dream" idea that pushes success in more developed nations (ie America.) I think that it can be likened to a caste type system where people kind of accept a role in society assigned at birth. I'm not saying that there is a caste system in Thailand. But it's very difficult for a person not born into money here to succeed. If I hadn't been offered the opportunities I have and had been born into the situation the people we slag on here are, I couldn't be arsed to make much of an effort either. It seems that success is an insurmountable goal if you're not in the know or carry a good name. I feel bad for the people that piss me off on a daily basis but there are people here with iniative that make it. I think that if Thai society weren't so class based this nation would be on alot better track.
A well balanced assessment. I agree.