Has Thailand Long Surpassed the West in Terms of Quality of Life?

[123Stodg]

For decades, Thailand has been labeled a “Third World” or "Developing Country", laden with corruption, etc, but in many ways, it now offers a better quality of life than some so-called developed nations. So how do we measure the comparisons?

 

While many Western countries struggle with rising costs, declining public services, decaying infrastructure and increasing social tensions, Thailand quietly provides an alternative that many find more appealing. Affordability, safety, public services and overall happiness, has Thailand already surpassed the West in the most important aspects of daily life?

 

Cost of living is an obvious advantage. In Thailand, one can enjoy high-quality food, affordable healthcare, and comfortable housing at a fraction of what it costs in many Western cities. Healthcare for locals is accessible and inexpensive and dining out is not a luxury but a daily norm. Public transportation, especially in Bangkok, is efficient, modern, and inexpensive compared to the overpriced, outdated, aging and often unreliable transport systems in many Western countries like the US and UK. 

 

Crime and public safety are also worth noting. While no country is without crime, Thailand generally feels safer than many urban centers in the West, where violent crime rates have also risen a lot in Western cities in recent years. Community cohesion remains strong in Thailand, with people still valuing social interactions and respect for others. Inequality surely exists, but it doesn’t feel as stark or socially divisive in daily life as it does in some Western countries where there is a higher percentage of poverty and homelessness now than in Thailand.

 

Lifestyle in Thailand is another factor that seemingly sets it apart. The balance of work hard to enjoying life is often better in Thailand, with less emphasis on the constant grind and more appreciation for leisure, family, and social life. Culture and a sense of happiness contribute to an overall quality of life that many Westerners also find refreshing.

 

So, is Thailand still really just another “developing country,” or has it quietly outpaced the West in many important aspects of daily life that most people heavily value? 

 

While some will argue that Western nations still lead in technology, quality of life isn’t measured by GDP alone. More and more people might be thinking Thailand now offers a better, freer, and more fulfilling way to live than what used to be considered the dream of life of living in a developed Western society. 

[Harrisfan]

Thailand is much cheaper but better no. West has too many rules though. Socialism has ruined the west.

[Lacessit]

Two residences, two cars, two scooters. I save more of my pension than I spend.

 

Impossible in Australia, I would be paying 70 -80% of my pension in rent alone.

 

I recently was in a government hospital with bacterial pneumonia. 90 minutes from Emergency Department to a hospital bed, with an IV antibiotic in my arm.

 

In any Australian government hospital, the transition would have taken me 5-6 hours.

 

It's also worth noting private hospitals in Thailand have Emergency Departments. Private hospitals in Australia do not.

[sidjameson]

Western countries are trillions, yes trillions in debt but continue to pay good pensions. Of course Thailand's much better value than back home. 

Try telling a Thai earning a typical 10k to 20k bht salary Thailand has a better quality of life!

[Celsius]

How can one be so stupid to even contemplate writing such self absorbed drivel?

 

 

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/economy/40023474

 

 

[Harrisfan]

4 minutes ago, Celsius said:

How can one be so stupid to even contemplate writing such self absorbed drivel?

 

 

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/economy/40023474

 

 

Lots of desperate people on food carts.

[connda]

12 minutes ago, sidjameson said:

Western countries are trillions, yes trillions in debt but continue to pay good pensions. Of course Thailand's much better value than back home. 

Try telling a Thai earning a typical 10k to 20k bht salary Thailand has a better quality of life!

I don't see large encampments of Thais sleeping in the streets of major cities because they can't afford rent.  That is the normal state of the US and most Western countries.  I don't see Thais dying because they can't afford healthcare. I don't know of any Thailand being evicted from their homes and their homes sold to pay "property taxes."  So the bottom line is that quality of life is better in Thailand.

[UWEB]

It is definitely a good place to live with good prices. But pure Environment protection and lack of Law enforcement is a negative side. And for the moment there is no way back due to all the fascist Governments and people in the west. See USA.

[FriscoKid]

13 minutes ago, Celsius said:

How can one be so stupid to even contemplate writing such self absorbed drivel?

 

 

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/economy/40023474

 

 

2022? Lol. During Covid lockdown as well. About as relevant as Susan's 300 needless posts per day. 

[rough diamond]

50 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Thailand is much cheaper but better no. West has too many rules though. Socialism has ruined the west.

Please go back into rehab (permanently) and give us all a rest from your asinine posts.

[Felt 35]

 

Standard of Living by Country | Quality of Life by Country 2024

 

[Cardano]

56 minutes ago, 123Stodg said:

For decades, Thailand has been labeled a “Third World” or "Developing Country", laden with corruption, etc, but in many ways, it now offers a better quality of life than some so-called developed nations. So how do we measure the comparisons?

 

While many Western countries struggle with rising costs, declining public services, decaying infrastructure and increasing social tensions, Thailand quietly provides an alternative that many find more appealing. Affordability, safety, public services and overall happiness, has Thailand already surpassed the West in the most important aspects of daily life?

 

Cost of living is an obvious advantage. In Thailand, one can enjoy high-quality food, affordable healthcare, and comfortable housing at a fraction of what it costs in many Western cities. Healthcare for locals is accessible and inexpensive and dining out is not a luxury but a daily norm. Public transportation, especially in Bangkok, is efficient, modern, and inexpensive compared to the overpriced, outdated, aging and often unreliable transport systems in many Western countries like the US and UK. 

 

Crime and public safety are also worth noting. While no country is without crime, Thailand generally feels safer than many urban centers in the West, where violent crime rates have also risen a lot in Western cities in recent years. Community cohesion remains strong in Thailand, with people still valuing social interactions and respect for others. Inequality surely exists, but it doesn’t feel as stark or socially divisive in daily life as it does in some Western countries where there is a higher percentage of poverty and homelessness now than in Thailand.

 

Lifestyle in Thailand is another factor that seemingly sets it apart. The balance of work hard to enjoying life is often better in Thailand, with less emphasis on the constant grind and more appreciation for leisure, family, and social life. Culture and a sense of happiness contribute to an overall quality of life that many Westerners also find refreshing.

 

So, is Thailand still really just another “developing country,” or has it quietly outpaced the West in many important aspects of daily life that most people heavily value? 

 

While some will argue that Western nations still lead in technology, quality of life isn’t measured by GDP alone. More and more people might be thinking Thailand now offers a better, freer, and more fulfilling way to live than what used to be considered the dream of life of living in a developed Western society. 

Another Thaiophile who has nothing better to post than a West bashing spree to try and justify his existance in Thailand. If I ever find myself doing anything similar I'll get on the first plane back to the western world.

[rough diamond]

37 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Lots of desperate people on food carts.

And on AN all the time.

[Cardano]

31 minutes ago, connda said:

I don't see large encampments of Thais sleeping in the streets of major cities because they can't afford rent.  That is the normal state of the US and most Western countries.  I don't see Thais dying because they can't afford healthcare. I don't know of any Thailand being evicted from their homes and their homes sold to pay "property taxes."  So the bottom line is that quality of life is better in Thailand.

You really need to get out more and open your eyes.

[rough diamond]

1 hour ago, FriscoKid said:

About as relevant as Susan's 300 needless posts per day. 

Unfortunately it is out of quarantine again.

 

[Harrisfan]

36 minutes ago, stuandjulie said:

In the latest quality of life index, 17 of the top 21 places were European, The US was just above Thailand in the 32 and 34th if memory serves. Just to annoy the Trumpers Canada was in the top 10.

BTW Thailand has not been a 3rd world Country for years, it is classed as developing.

Those indexes are flawed. Just a series of numbers. You can't measure happiness with a spreadsheet.

[save the frogs]

Suicide rates seem to indicate that GDP is not everything

US is up there with a lot of the most impoverished african nations

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate

 

 

[Pouatchee]

3 hours ago, Lacessit said:

I recently was in a government hospital with bacterial pneumonia. 90 minutes from Emergency Department to a hospital bed, with an IV antibiotic in my arm.

 

In any Australian government hospital, the transition would have taken me 5-6 hours.

 

It's also worth noting private hospitals in Thailand have Emergency Departments. Private hospitals in Australia do not.

 

back in canada now, and I can confirm that thailand is better IN MANY WAYS. Was diagnosed with RSV virus spent 18 hrs in hospital and dr told me to go home. I said 'no way can i go back home... i won't make it past the front door'. dr got angry told me to leave. I got my things called a taxi and nearly passed out getting in the taxi. I barely made it to the entrance and collapsed. the nurses walked pass me as i said 'help me' and ignored me because the dr had told me to go home. I slept all night in the emergency waiting area then the next morning i got a second opinion. turns out I also had influenza type A. Add that to my COPD and it is a recipe for disaster. Thailand takes better care by far of us than we are taken care of back home. Even Mcdonald's is worst here than in thailand. I had cheeseburgers yday and the pattie was half the size i remember them from before. Shame on the west... I used to think we were ahead of the thais. Now, all i do is look forward to my return to thailand.

 

the west has lost it

[newbee2022]

17 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

If he does it again i will take action. He stalked me for 2 weeks already. 

Me too. He probably was rejected many times. Poor man obviously 

[freedomnow]

...it has apart from the pollution.... I'm in Broken Britain and can't wait to leave...burn through money every time I step out the door for not a lot.

[metisdead]

Off topic deflection posts and replies trolling about Trump have been removed.

[Gobbler]

When Thailand stops poisoning the people with filthy air 4 months out of the air, you might get closer to claiming the quality of life is better here. 

[Harrisfan]

12 minutes ago, Gobbler said:

When Thailand stops poisoning the people with filthy air 4 months out of the air, you might get closer to claiming the quality of life is better here. 

Not as bad so far this year.

[Gobbler]

9 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Not as bad so far this year.

Did you step off the airplane into Thailand or just fly over? 

[still kicking]

5 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Two residences, two cars, two scooters. I save more of my pension than I spend.

 

Impossible in Australia, I would be paying 70 -80% of my pension in rent alone.

 

I recently was in a government hospital with bacterial pneumonia. 90 minutes from Emergency Department to a hospital bed, with an IV antibiotic in my arm.

 

In any Australian government hospital, the transition would have taken me 5-6 hours.

 

It's also worth noting private hospitals in Thailand have Emergency Departments. Private hospitals in Australia do not.

It all depends on where you live. I haven't had a rent increase in about 8 years; my rent for a 2-bedroom unit is AUD 960 for 1 month, but my pension is AUD 2700 heaps of money to live on. I can afford to travel 3 times to Thailand every year. But I live in the West, in a city of over 2 million, 10 minutes from the city centre. I have been to the hospital twice (public), and I paid nothing. free bus or train rides up to 800 KM, cheap medication, and free doctor visits, and they have not paid for electricity since COVID-19. What more do I need?

[Harrisfan]

Just now, Gobbler said:

Did you step off the airplane into Thailand or just fly over? 

It's totally fine where I am. Have not coughed once.

[Felt 35]

5 hours ago, Felt 35 said:

 

Standard of Living by Country | Quality of Life by Country 2024

Quality of Life Index by Country 2024

[Mike_Hunt]

The cost of living is good for someone on a Western salary.  How does it measure up to the people of Thailand? 

[Celsius]

2 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

back in canada now, and I can confirm that thailand is better IN MANY WAYS. Was diagnosed with RSV virus spent 18 hrs in hospital and dr told me to go home. I said 'no way can i go back home... i won't make it past the front door'. dr got angry told me to leave. I got my things called a taxi and nearly passed out getting in the taxi. I barely made it to the entrance and collapsed. the nurses walked pass me as i said 'help me' and ignored me because the dr had told me to go home. I slept all night in the emergency waiting area then the next morning i got a second opinion. turns out I also had influenza type A. Add that to my COPD and it is a recipe for disaster. Thailand takes better care by far of us than we are taken care of back home. Even Mcdonald's is worst here than in thailand. I had cheeseburgers yday and the pattie was half the size i remember them from before. Shame on the west... I used to think we were ahead of the thais. Now, all i do is look forward to my return to thailand.

 

the west has lost it

 

Why are you in Canada?

[Woke to Sounds]

9 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Thailand is much cheaper but better no. West has too many rules though. Socialism has ruined the west.

It's the blossoming technocommunism mixed with the transhumanist agenda that has infected the West.

 

Countries like Australia, the UK and Canada are pretty much done like dinner. There is no place for any single/divorced/widowed white man 55+ in those societies now.

 

Thailand has massive pollution problems, among other issues like traffic safety, but the former so called 1st World Countries are rotting from the insides.