Has Thailand Caught Up with the 21st Century?

[realfunster]

On 1/21/2025 at 3:58 AM, SoCal1990 said:

Healthcare and dentistry in Thailand are also excellent

 

Hmm - wouldn't agree with this, I work in a professional field and the standard is OK but reasonably below Europe.

That shouldn't really be too surprising. Reasons ? A fairly weak educational system and wider systemic issues.

 

I've had some shockers with both dentists and doctors here in Thailand.

Thankfully nothing that has cost my health (yet) but certainly some money and time. 

 

At face value, parts of Thailand, especially Bangkok, are actually reasonably well developed in terms of infrastructure and technology but if you scratch beneath the surface....

 

Not meant to be negative but factual, Thailand is what it is - a developing country with all the pros and cons that entails.

[thaibeachlovers]

3 minutes ago, Surasak said:

Having been an NHS manager many years ago, I can only agree.

I worked in theatres and after Gordon gave the NHS 6 billion quid without any check on where it was spent they employed two more managers. I never was able to work out what they actually did.

 

Plenty of fancy new buildings happened in other hospitals. Our working conditions didn't improve.

 

I also worked agency at one time, on weekends on wards. On one assignment there was ONE hospital nurse, a couple of agency nurses and a couple of aides to run a full ward with 40 patients and half of them isolated with MRSA. That poor nurse in charge was run ragged.

 

The day I worked in the hospital for the nobs I was one of two nurses that looked after one patient- a lord no less. Most boring day I ever worked. All I had to do was take his blood pressure a couple of times. Must be wonderful to be rich.

[thaibeachlovers]

16 minutes ago, realfunster said:

Hmm - wouldn't agree with this, I work in a professional field and the standard is OK but reasonably below Europe.

All the dentists in the clinic I used were trained in America, spoke excellent English and were better than the London dentists I had.

 

A Thai doctor diagnosed a medical condition I have that was undiagnosed by Euro ( white ) doctors for 20 years. Sooo, which are better?

[thaibeachlovers]

18 minutes ago, realfunster said:

Not meant to be negative but factual, Thailand is what it is - a developing country with all the pros and cons that entails.

Perhaps, but i'd be back there in a heartbeat if I won lotto and could live anywhere on the planet.

There is a lovely beach there that I can live right next to the sand. Never going to happen in any western country except for the ultra rich that can buy a beach front property.

[NoshowJones]

On 1/21/2025 at 6:13 AM, scubascuba3 said:

You're naive if you think the west let's say the UK is worse than Thailand, don't forget police wanting back handers in the street, plus bars, plus buying positions, is that happening in the UK? no

The UK is definitely worse than Thailand for being behind the times. ie lawyers wearing wigs prancing about courtrooms like transvestites, very common about two centuries ago. 

People with Sirs in front of their names which comes from around the days of Robin Hood. 

Muslims and other immigrants being First Ministers (in Scotland's case) and various other political positions all over the country. Need I go on?

[thaibeachlovers]

On 1/21/2025 at 12:13 PM, scubascuba3 said:

You're naive if you think the west let's say the UK is worse than Thailand, don't forget police wanting back handers in the street, plus bars, plus buying positions, is that happening in the UK? no

I can only assume you have more interaction with the police in Thailand than I ever did to worry about such things. The only times I had dealing with cops they were polite and cordial, and never ever demanded a bribe.

[black tabby12345]

17 hours ago, Lacessit said:

I stayed for two nights. 4 bedside visits by doctors, speaking excellent English. Round the clock nursing care, all medications. I passed on the food.

 

7000 baht, which I regarded as a bargain.

 

Hi, again, 

Thank you for sharing your experience.

While you were in hospital bed, which kind of meal was provided?

Can you request specific type of meal(Thai, Chinese, or Western)?

Or it is set by the hospital reflecting  on your medical condition?

[KannikaP]

55 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Just for info. If you die before her, the joint account will be frozen for a while, just like your own account.

I actually gave my wife a lump sum to tide her over till my account was unfrozen and a will so she could get the money in my account. I also informed the bank that she was to get the money.

You must be trusting. I'd never give any woman a joint account, married or not- too much temptation.

She knows the PIN for my ATM card anyway. And knows that if she steals any, it will be the last she gets from me.

[NoshowJones]

2 hours ago, Surasak said:

Can you be sure of that!? Mostly in the UK, its not what you know, but who you know, and the tie you wear can get you many things.

Do they have the funny handshakes in Thailand like in Scotland? 

[KannikaP]

23 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

People with Sirs in front of their names which comes from around the days of Robin Hood. 

And now it's Robbin' Keir and Maid Rachel ! 555

[KannikaP]

15 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

Can you request specific type of meal(Thai, Chinese, or Western)?

Or it is set by the hospital reflecting  on your medical condition?

One time I was overnight in the local Government for nothing very dangerous. They ordered me a pizza .

[KannikaP]

3 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

Do they have the funny handshakes in Thailand like in Scotland? 

Boy Scouts and Masons have them too.

[black tabby12345]

1 minute ago, KannikaP said:

One time I was overnight in the local Government for nothing very dangerous. They ordered me a pizza .

 

Was it tasty and expensive(from Thai standard)?

[KannikaP]

14 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

 

Was it tasty and expensive(from Thai standard)?

Pizza Hut jobby. It was OK.

[RocketDog]

On 1/21/2025 at 6:22 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

I had a problem with nasty cops in the UK ( they were females on more than one occasion, but that may not be relevant ). I never had a problem with Thai cops, and any interaction was friendly.

 

I benefited from that "corruption" myself, and avoided an expensive court case over a minor accident. I love Thailand just the way it is.

Cops in the west may not want backhanders, but try getting any action on a burglary; not going to happen unless very lucky. What's worse, corrupt cops or useless cops?

Corrupt AND useless cops. That's what's worse, and Thailand has those in abundance.

If you haven't yet encountered them then count yourself lucky.

[BumGun]

On 1/21/2025 at 7:58 AM, SoCal1990 said:

Plus, nearly everything I need is within walking distance such as a gym, banks, supermarkets, dozens of restaurants, and 24-hour convenience stores.

This is literally what conservatives hate, the 15 minute city. There's lot of push back in many developed countries to stop people doing that, apparently living in scattered urban areas of bland sameness, being forced to spend your hard earned buying a car is aspirational

 

https://www.politico.eu/article/dont-lock-me-neighborhood-15-minute-city-hysteria-uk-oxford/

On 1/21/2025 at 12:19 PM, fredwiggy said:

am leaving and largely because of want for a better life for my daughter. Women here are considered inferior, and that isn't what a woman deserves.

Not the USA I hope ? Your body my choice 🙂

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/11/business/your-body-my-choice-movement-election/index.html

 

Lots to like about Thailand, The Philippines, Cambodia and even Laos, etc ... I like all of them.   if you have money.

 

The biggest of the inescapable downsides are mostly around air quality, which can have deleterious health effects long term.  I have a place on 2 acres in rural Tasmania, noted for the cleanest air in the world,  a get away from the madness of the world and enjoy the outdoor lifestyle that it brings for several months a year but (within reason) I have the wherewithal to be where I want (visa dependent) so I take the benefits of that as it suits me. I had thought many years ago to make Thailand more permanent but I think being an iterate hobo suits more more.

[BumGun]

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

There is a lovely beach there that I can live right next to the sand.

For many years, I had a apartment on the beach here in Australia (Gold Coast), I say beach but I walked across a green park and used to swim in the ocean often. The views from the 15th story were wonderful. I sold up a few years ago. I'm not even close to rich.

[simon43]

5 hours ago, Surasak said:

How can you say, "Refusing to learn English"? When many schools have teachers of "English", who have no idea of the language they teach, and that includes foreign supposed English speakers!

 

This is a major issue in many countries. The English teachers can't speak English!  This is the problem that I face in Myanmar.  The local teachers can read and write English to an acceptable level (usually), but their spoken English is appalling.  This is no surprise, because they've learnt to speak English from a local teacher, who learnt from a local teacher who learnt from.......  You get the idea!  Sort of Chinese Whispers and the English they speak is not the same language as the English that I speak 🙂

 

In Myanmar, I do a lot of volunteer work to help local Burmese teachers improve their English pronunciation, so that their students can also achieve clear pronunciation.  But there has to be a willingness to learn!  In Myanmar, every Tom, Dick, Jack and Jill is extremely keen to learn to speak and understand English, because they realise that knowledge of English can increase their chances of getting a job or going on to higher education.

 

In Thailand.... well they seem not so keen.

 

As to Native English Speakers, that phrase means absolutely nothing when one considers many of the unintelligible Brummie, Scouse and Scottish accents that I've heard over the years.  A dear friend of mine (now deceased) taught English at a school in Yangon where I was also teaching.  I once asked his students what they had learnt today.  "Teacher Simon, we don't know" was their reply. "Huh?, why not?" I asked.  "Because no-one can understand him!! - but we are too polite to say anything..."

 

Oops!

 

 

[Andre0720]

6 hours ago, Surasak said:

How can you say, "Refusing to learn English"? When many schools have teachers of "English", who have no idea of the language they teach, and that includes foreign supposed English speakers!

I say "Refusing to learn English", which might somewhat be incorrect.

What I meant though is that I know some Thai people who have learnt English on their own, and have not blamed the schools or the teachers.

And these people do speak English with a good level of competency.

While most Thais simply waste their time with their phones in their hands (and a cigarette in the other hand as it relates to men), time that otherwise could be put to good use...

 

So the word that should be used, is that Thais are totally ignoring the fact that English is the primary language in this world, and appear too lazy to learn on their own. So perhaps 'lazy' is a better word then....

[KhunLA]

To the title ... NO, and hopefully they never will 

 

Less intrusion to my life is a good thing.

[DonniePeverley]

9 hours ago, simon43 said:

In 2012, I was teaching English to a class of young adults in Yangon, Myanmar.

 

We were reading a passage from The British Council.  The English vocabulary was not difficult, but my students were all having a hard time understanding some of the words and phrases.

 

I asked them which words they didn't understand.

 

"Teacher Simon, can you please explain to us.  What is a credit card and what is an ATM?"

 

This English language passage from the British Council would have been understood in almost every country in the world.  But Myanmar in 2012 still had no credit/debit cards nor ATMs....

 

 

 

 

Post covid things have accelerated. 2012 was a long time ago. 

 

 

[Walker88]

On 1/21/2025 at 1:12 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

The corruption is done at a higher level, and is better hidden in the west.

How much money from the payments to Ukraine actually ended up in the wrong pockets? I don't know because it's covered up, but I'm sure it's a lot.

 

I'm not interested in small change corruption like you reference. Never happened with me in LOS. Driving licence- no bribes

Immigration- no bribes.

Household expenses eg electricity- no bribes.

 

Have you ever been required to pay a bribe?

You're sure (the BOLD text)? Are you Edgar Case? I suspect if someone made a similar assumption about Thailand, you would take exception.

 

As for bribes, 2024 was the first year I wasn't hit up for a "fee" that would clear up an "issue" with my 150+ page Business Visa renewal, a tome the IO doesn't even look at, but just "knows" there's a problem. I know other business owners also have the same experience. We come to accept it's just a cost of doing business. In that section of Imm, I don't know for sure, and would need "Bob" to educate me, but I think those might be real Rolexes on the wrists. The highest I had to pay to "expedite" an issue, "which otherwise might take a month to clear up", was 85,000 baht. They size up the applicant, look at paid-in capital plus P&L of the business, and seemingly decide how far they can go.

 

On the plus side, which the OP noted in detail, Thailand has fully and usually quite competently embraced all of the new technologies the outside world has developed, from wifi to cell signals to medical care (at least in major hospitals) to payment systems (these are actually kind of slow everywhere in the world, as residents here would know if standing behind someone at 7-11 trying to use their phone to pay...cash is much faster.)  The banking system is mostly secure, and I make most all payments---staff and suppliers---via a combo of laptop and phone (to receive a OTP).

 

Electricity in generally good, and tends to survive thunderstorms (unlike a residence I have in a European country, where I receive an alert on my phone during storms to unplug my wifi and TV boxes, lest they blow out). When the power does go out in my BKK area, I'm impressed technicians can go through the rat's nest of wires at every junction and determine where the fault lies.

 

I've lived in many countries, and have chosen Thailand for the time being to be my port of call. I am well aware every nation has its particular issues, and I simply accept what they have here. All in all Thailand works quite well, and its pluses outweigh the minuses for me.