True enough 30, 20, even 15 years ago...when Thailand didn't try to fool itself and others about who and what it/they truly are. Back then it was all smiles and 'we know and we know you know', so "mai pen rai", "sabai sabai" , "jai yen" and live and let live. Things were cool and easy. Now the place is worse than ever, yet it lies and pretends with charades and delusions, fooling no one but themselves. Things are more difficult for us, as well as majority of the Thai population. The elites are on a mighty high-horse, above any law or order...of which there has never been much...except now they rule with absolute power over their minions, expat residents and tourists...while running more wildly amok than ever.