On 3/6/2025 at 6:56 PM, thejcb said:

Amazing, Bob really doesn’t like the country, no problem, so why doesn’t it 'eff off back to wherever it came from

Maybe he likes it. He only made a solid assessment  of the state of country. 

Well it looks like the polls have spoken!

 

The vast majority believe that Thailand will forever remain third world/underdeveloped/whatever adjective you would like to use...

 

I think a lot of it has to do with education and the fact that Thais never like to admit when they are wrong, nor look inward ad the problems they are facing. They would rather just carry on regardless, eating som tum and singing sabai sabai all day long....

 

regards,

bob.

On 3/6/2025 at 6:31 PM, save the frogs said:

there are some advantages when countries are less developed.

like street food vendors are not banned as in farangland, for instance. 

 

Absolutely, my reality is much easier on me than being in my home "developed" country.

Canada has higher debt at 101% GDP. But Thai wages don't rise .

Thailand is considered a "second world" country, which means it's economically growing but not yet as developed as countries in North America and Europe. 

 

On 3/6/2025 at 6:22 PM, Robert_Smith said:

To my mind, after decades of living here I see nothing has moved on/improved.

 

Thais still behave like ignorant, arrogant, petulant children.

They are brainwashed to the max.

 

The school system is a joke.

Healthcare is OK (only if you have money)

 

The wages are a laughing stock.

Pollution is a disgrace. The pavements are a dangerous joke, with more holes than a dry sponge..

 

The locals seem totally oblivious to what's is going on in the outside world, what's more important is whether it's moo ping or som tum for lunch...

 

The government and constant change in leadership is a joke.

The police are on the take 24/7 and driving standards are absolutely abysmal.

 

Did I miss anything?

 

Feel free to add your thoughts/comments.

 

regards,

bob.

Ain't it grand!?

In terms of politics and law enforcement, mostly due to the lack of transparency.

 

In terms of their industries, lacking the ability of "value adding".

 

Thailand is known to be caught up in the state of "middle income trap".

 

Showed  some remarkable "development" since 1990s.

However, it was mostly done by the external inputs alone; by technology transfer(foreign manufacturers built factories here.  and built up of infrastructures by foreign firms).

Almost none attained by themselves.

 

On the other hand, remaining in the status of the 3rd World won't really be that bad.

 

Because of that, Thailand only has to pay a lot lower license fee for the local production of the  generic medicines.

That is why over the counter doses are often quite inexpensive here.

 

And that way, expats like us are also its beneficiaries.

So better not to complain, be thankful instead.

 

On 3/6/2025 at 6:22 AM, Robert_Smith said:

To my mind, after decades of living here I see nothing has moved on/improved.

 

Thais still behave like ignorant, arrogant, petulant children.

They are brainwashed to the max.

 

The school system is a joke.

Healthcare is OK (only if you have money)

 

The locals seem totally oblivious to what's is going on in the outside world, what's more important is whether it's moo ping or som tum for lunch...

 

The government and constant change in leadership is a joke.

The police are on the take 24/7 and driving standards are absolutely abysmal.

.

 

regards,

bob.

You covered almost everything, but I'm not sure if locals are oblivious, or maybe just believe the magic amulet and the holy strings on their wrists will fix their lives.  

First stage out of '3rd world status' - an English speaking population.

All else follows automatically.

So, not likely then...

On 3/6/2025 at 6:41 PM, proton said:

Anywhere with so many stray dogs, broken pavements and such low health and safety standards will always be 3rd world

FO to your perfect 1st world haven then! Stop <deleted>ting on Thais. I may abhor barking dogs and the rest, but as crap as that can be, it pales to what donkeys have to put up with back there.