I’ve backpacked through Southpark Asia for years… now i feel quietly pushed out

[Maxbkkcm]

5 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

Like the USA?

Exactly. Wealth can only come wihtin

[Harrisfan]

4 hours ago, FruitPudding said:

 

It's not you, it's them. They only care about money. 

 

People are only good for money here. Even their children cannot go back to visit their parents without a cash gift. 

 

 

What did you expect?

 

You are a farang and Thailand is not a country you should take seriously. 

 

Enjoy it for what you can. That's it.

 

 

 

Well, I have not been a backpacker for almost 2 decades, so I can't really relate that much, but Thailand has definitely lost its charm; it's just a shopping mall now.

Try the Mekong towns. 

[connda]

On 4/14/2025 at 11:57 PM, altayvan said:

I’ve been coming to Asia for many years, always on a shoestring. Not a digital nomad, not chasing luxury, just a little bit of a backpacker. The kind who speaks some Thai, stays in hostels, eats street food, and knows the backstreets better than the malls.

There is nothing wrong with the lifestyle.  Don't worry about the jackasses who feel superior to everyone else and never miss an opportunity to promote themselves as "special."  Ignore them.  Enjoy your life.  Eventually you may get to be my age (seventies) and decide to set down roots here.  Then you'll still deal with the same people who will still be seeking to show how "special" they are (yeah, and like I have a $5 million dollar mansion in a gate community and I go shopping at Paragon every weekend when I'm not drinking Macallan Lalique VI scotch by the poolside with my entourage of Thai woman and ladyboys, and Lady Gaga and Madona will be stopping by this afternoon and....blah blah blah) - it never ends. Just enjoy your life and your lifestyle as it's yours to enjoy.  You've probably experienced a much more diverse and full life then these self-styled "somebodies" and have met a wide range of very interesting down-to-earth people during your travels.  It's a good life.  Don't disparage it.  Btw, Thailand used to be a great destination.  It's lost a lot of that charm it had 40 years ago.  Try other places around the globe which are more welcoming and can offer that old world charm Thailand once had before going commercial.

[Harrisfan]

2 minutes ago, connda said:

There is nothing wrong with the lifestyle.  Don't worry about the jackasses who feel superior to everyone else and never miss an opportunity to promote themselves as "special."  Ignore them.  Enjoy your life.  Eventually you may get to be my age (seventies) and decide to set down roots here.  Then you'll still deal with the same people who will still be seeking to show how "special" they are (yeah, and like I have a $5 million dollar mansion in a gate community and I go shopping at Paragon every weekend when I'm not drinking Macallan Lalique VI scotch by the poolside with my entourage of Thai woman and ladyboys, and Lady Gaga and Madona will be stopping by this afternoon and....blah blah blah) - it never ends. Just enjoy your life and your lifestyle as it's yours to enjoy.  You've probably experienced a much more diverse and full life then these self-styled "somebodies" and have met a wide range of very interesting down-to-earth people during your travels.  It's a good life.  Don't disparage it.

I tried expensive travel. It was nowhere near as much fun as cheap travel. Local buses, trains, random huts here. Most 5 star hotels have no soul or character. 

 

But you are spot on. Enjoy your life. We are all on different paths.

 

 

[henrik2000]

On 4/14/2025 at 6:57 PM, altayvan said:

Immigration seems colder.

Recently at Bkk airport, the immigration officer in his booth noted the visa extensions stamped into my passport to allow for 3-months-tourist stays in previous winters, and he may have noted a 1-day-overstay-stamp. For 5 minutes he explained another kind of visa that would make 3-months-stays easier for me (in his estimation), while 50 travelers in the queue had to wait.

I didn't look very "quality tourist", but he wanted to have me in-country.

[Harrisfan]

10 minutes ago, henrik2000 said:

Recently at Bkk airport, the immigration officer in his booth noted the visa extensions stamped into my passport to allow for 3-months-tourist stays in previous winters, and he may have noted a 1-day-overstay-stamp. For 5 minutes he explained another kind of visa that would make 3-months-stays easier for me (in his estimation), while 50 travelers in the queue had to wait.

I didn't look very "quality tourist", but he wanted to have me in-country.

What was the visa?

[henrik2000]

11 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

What was the visa?

What i had was 60 days + 30 days tourist visas or visa waivers.

 

I didn't fully listen to this officer, because i already had researched, and rejected, the visa that he wanted to promote. I think it was for 50+ year olds, which applies for me. Maybe "non-O"? I think it required showing bank statements from 3 different months and maybe other stuff that i found inconvenient in my personal case, even if a trip to Immigration in-country may be inconvenient as well.

 

But let's discuss the original topic at hand.

[Nick Carter icp]

37 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

I tried expensive travel. It was nowhere near as much fun as cheap travel. Local buses, trains, random huts here. Most 5 star hotels have no soul or character. 

 

But you are spot on. Enjoy your life. We are all on different paths.

 

 

 

   I found that I don't use any of the things available in a 5 star hotel :Bath , Safe , Gym , dressing gown, television . Wake up call .

   I just never use them 

[Harrisfan]

15 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   I found that I don't use any of the things available in a 5 star hotel :Bath , Safe , Gym , dressing gown, television . Wake up call .

   I just never use them 

They have good breakfast but otherwise not worth it.

[Lacessit]

2 hours ago, black tabby12345 said:

 

In the past 3-4 decades, Thailand certainly made economic growth.

But mostly by foreign inputs; very little by themselves.

 

Increased employment opportunities for locals as the first world manufactures brought their factories here.

Rapid train system on and under the ground, built with the first world technologies by foreign firms.

 

Regarding the politics and administration, even lesser changes; they got a military coup even in the 21st century; 2014-22.

 

Those with "connection" with the men in uniform of high ranks, can evade criminal charges.

 

Good relationship with the west, it certainly enriched Thailand in the past decades.

But it doesn't automatically mean this country got one step closer to the first world.

Having more money is one thing.

Having a better transparency is another.

 

I was pleasantly surprised when I had a short stay in a government hospital a few months ago. State of the art equipment, doctors spoke excellent English. IMO I was cared for better than i would have been in a public hospital in Australia.

 

Having said that, I am sure the average Thai does not understand risk, although they do protect their capital by buying gold.

 

It's taken me a few years to educate my Thai GF in saving money, rather than spending it on useless fripperies. Most of the Thais in her village are up to their eyeballs in debt.

[Thingamabob]

Thailand has a large number of poor people. They need tourists who are prepared to spend money at their small businesses. Tourists with your attitude are not popular anywhere, and never have been.

[donmuang37]

On 4/15/2025 at 1:25 AM, altayvan said:

That’s really what this post is about. It’s not just me getting older or nostalgic. It’s that everybody’s mum, their boss, and even their dog are flying in for a “Thai experience” they saw on TikTok. And that’s fine. But it’s not the same.

The places I once slipped through unnoticed now ask for insurance, printouts, onward flights, and proof of funds.
The cheap guesthouses are being replaced by “lifestyle stays.”
The freedom I used to feel, being nobody, going nowhere in particular, is starting to feel like a problem.

And I’m wondering if anyone else sees it too.

Wake up! Poverty is not romantic. Get a job.  I mean a real job.  Earn some real money. Stop whining!

Good luck!!

[FruitPudding]

5 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Thailand has a large number of poor people. They need tourists who are prepared to spend money at their small businesses. Tourists with your attitude are not popular anywhere, and never have been.

 

Let me play the world's smallest violin for all those working in the tourist industry: tuk tuk drivers, taxi drivers, tour guides, bar girls, go go girls, beach chair people, jet ski guys, elephant owners etc. etc.

 

Most of these people are parasites looking to rip off or scam unsuspecting tourists who have paid a lot of money to come here from the other side if the world.

 

No Fs given at all for these bottom feeders.

[1FinickyOne]

On 4/14/2025 at 11:57 PM, altayvan said:

never talk to locals unless it’s through Grab or room service.

Do you think anyone making policy ever considers this? Or do sour grapes run deeply in your veins. 

 

Who is more likely to get into fist fights and behave badly? Who is more likely to end up in a hospital unable to pay a bill? 

 

I hope you come here, stay safe and have a wonderful adventure

[Kinok Farang]

Even the kids refuse to stay in the 200 baht a night places now.Backpackers have been replaced by flashpackers.I went 15 years travelling like that until covid came and i found i could get a 1500 baht room for 500.That spoilt me forever.Shame really.

[black tabby12345]

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

I was pleasantly surprised when I had a short stay in a government hospital a few months ago. State of the art equipment, doctors spoke excellent English. IMO I was cared for better than i would have been in a public hospital in Australia.

 

Having said that, I am sure the average Thai does not understand risk, although they do protect their capital by buying gold.

 

It's taken me a few years to educate my Thai GF in saving money, rather than spending it on useless fripperies. Most of the Thais in her village are up to their eyeballs in debt.

 

One great thing about Thailand, the standard of university hospital.

A few years ago, I was admitted to their ER in Chiang Mai university hospital.

Their treatment was quite impressive; at the first world standard.

All of the doctors and nurses could communicate in English.

And costed me only less than THB 700 for that day.

 

Buying gold as the form of saving, pretty much like influence, brought in by Chinese.

Since they have historically experienced the fall of regime repeatedly (including the loss of monetary system during such period), they value gold as the portable assets.  

That's why there are so many gold stores throughout this kingdom.

 

Thank you for sharing your personal experience.

 

 

 

[pomchop]

When you are lying on your death bed i would guess the things you will most cherish is all the memories of the times you traveled the world  and all the places you saw and the people you met ...not how much $$ you spent or didn't spend or will never spend because you will be dead....be glad that you took a path less traveled and didn't end up with some boring life  maybe married to a witch and working in a job you didn't like which is what millions of people do.....enjoy it all while you can and let all those who want to spend their lives working to get more more more $$ go for it...in the end you will likely have lived a more interesting fulfilling life than most....as forest gump said "i may be an idiot but at least i ain't led no hum drum life".

[Bundooman]

On 4/15/2025 at 1:25 AM, altayvan said:

That’s really what this post is about. It’s not just me getting older or nostalgic. It’s that everybody’s mum, their boss, and even their dog are flying in for a “Thai experience” they saw on TikTok. And that’s fine. But it’s not the same.

The places I once slipped through unnoticed now ask for insurance, printouts, onward flights, and proof of funds.
The cheap guesthouses are being replaced by “lifestyle stays.”
The freedom I used to feel, being nobody, going nowhere in particular, is starting to feel like a problem.

And I’m wondering if anyone else sees it too.

I understand what you are saying.

I first came here in 1964, then again in 1967 and twice more between 1973-4.

I too backpacked through Asia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan for 10 consecutive years for one month each year and you are right. 

It was cheap. But it couldn't last.

I've now been living here in Thailand since 2005 and this is my 20th year living here. Even in the beginning, things were very cheap, but slightly more expensive than those occasions before living here.

Now, I see prices have rocketed and of course, Thailand is more expensive in many things, but inexpensive in others.

Time and tide doesn't stop for us. It's progress.

I'm just as happy here today as I was when my feet hit the ground in Bangkok way back in 1964.

I've never regretted it - moved with the times and I am still careful with my money.

It's the way things are.

Long may they last................!

 

[spidermike007]

Everything is changing, the entire planet is shifting and you just simply have to adapt or die. They are definitely trying to attract a higher caliber tourist however they're not having much luck and the wealthy and the super rich continuing to avoid Thailand for a dozen good reasons, none of which are being addressed.

 

But it is true they don't want the desperately poor backpackers anymore. 

[MangoKorat]

6 hours ago, jayboy said:

 

More delusion here.People travel business class/stay at decent hotels because they can afford to do so. It is nothing to do with massaging egos, more to do with avoiding discomfort.

Then you don't know people very well. For example, when you know you're way around, its pretty easy to find a decent hotel for 1500 per night in central Bangkok. If you don't know - you might spend 2500 - 3500 on a room and think that's what you need to spend. However, some people think others are impressed by where they stay. They will often tell you where they are staying when you haven't asked.

 

Many years ago, I stayed at the Amari Watergate, from memory I think it cost me 3500 (at least 10 years back).  Yes, the room was nice but I tend not to spend so much time in my room when I go away.  The TV was much the same - 99% Thai and the water still ran out across the bathroom floor instead of down the waste. The bedside lights didn't work and I didn't find the staff very helpful.  The food was ridiculously expensive and there were very few alternatives close by. The security staff asked my wife for her ID card as we were entering the room and told me I should register 'guests' with reception - you can imagine my response to that - one of the words was 'off'.

 

Fast forward to last month when I had occasion to stay in Bangkok, I stayed on Soi 33, nice room, good size, clean, friendly staff and plenty of food available nearby - especially at the Irish pub, just around the corner at 199 for a 7 piece English breakfast. You really do not need to pay a fortune for a good room.

 

As for flights, I know plenty of people that travel business class but couldn't afford to if the travelled often and I also know people who like to say they travel business class who I know actually travel economy. 

 

As I say, if you think people don't massage their ego's by attempting to show off or appear affluent - then you don't know people very well.  I am not saying all by the way and I am, in the main, referring to people who post on here, not necessarily in real life.  

 

But versions of the same also happen in real life - people often project an image, other than their real one because they want to impress. I know people in both the UK and Thailand who live in a hovel but drive a BM or Merc. Why? Because in the main, people don't see their house - but they see their car. I have a relative who rents his home (not through choice) but drives a Ferrari 488. Fools may be impressed, I just laugh.

 

As for flights, I can only repeat - business class is very nice but for me, no way is it 3x (+) as nice.

[Nick Carter icp]

1 minute ago, spidermike007 said:

Everything is changing, the entire planet is shifting and you just simply have to adapt or die.

 

   You can also fail to adapt and also stay alive , 

You  will not die if you don't adapt 

[Mike_Hunt]

On 4/14/2025 at 12:57 PM, altayvan said:

I’ve been coming to Asia for many years, always on a shoestring. Not a digital nomad, not chasing luxury, just a little bit of a backpacker. The kind who speaks some Thai, stays in hostels, eats street food, and knows the backstreets better than the malls.

 

My first thought goes out to Cheap Charlie in Pattaya. I wonder how he’s getting on. He, like many of us, made a life of simplicity here.

 

I know I inspired friends to follow in my footsteps, some of them spent 30k GBP in a month on holidays, even medical trips. But that was never my style. I stretched every dollar, every baht. And it used to be enough.

 

Now, I feel like I’m considered a low-quality tourist. Immigration seems colder. More scrutiny. More suspicion. Like I’m not welcome anymore unless I can show a big bank balance and perfect insurance. I probably won’t even get 60 days in the country this year.

 

It’s like Thailand (and Southeast Asia in general) has shifted. It’s aiming for a new kind of tourist, those who book resorts from Instagram, drop cash on wellness retreats, and never talk to locals unless it’s through Grab or room service.

 

And that’s fine. Things change.

 

But it stings. Because I’ve loved this region quietly, humbly—for decades. And now I feel like I’m being pushed out of a home I never really had.

 

Just wondering if anyone else feels this shift? Or is it just me, feeling a bit left behind?

 

 

How do people like you make a living? 

[Harrisfan]

Saw a newspaper article on this dude. Worked in 190 countries. Did the entire world over like 40 years.

[steven100]

On 4/14/2025 at 11:57 PM, altayvan said:

I’ve been coming to Asia for many years, always on a shoestring. Not a digital nomad, not chasing luxury, just a little bit of a backpacker. The kind who speaks some Thai, stays in hostels, eats street food, and knows the backstreets better than the malls.

 

My first thought goes out to Cheap Charlie in Pattaya. I wonder how he’s getting on. He, like many of us, made a life of simplicity here.

 

I know I inspired friends to follow in my footsteps, some of them spent 30k GBP in a month on holidays, even medical trips. But that was never my style. I stretched every dollar, every baht. And it used to be enough.

 

Now, I feel like I’m considered a low-quality tourist. Immigration seems colder. More scrutiny. More suspicion. Like I’m not welcome anymore unless I can show a big bank balance and perfect insurance. I probably won’t even get 60 days in the country this year.

 

It’s like Thailand (and Southeast Asia in general) has shifted. It’s aiming for a new kind of tourist, those who book resorts from Instagram, drop cash on wellness retreats, and never talk to locals unless it’s through Grab or room service.

 

And that’s fine. Things change.

 

But it stings. Because I’ve loved this region quietly, humbly—for decades. And now I feel like I’m being pushed out of a home I never really had.

 

Just wondering if anyone else feels this shift? Or is it just me, feeling a bit left behind?

 

so your one of those people from Khaosan road who have dreadlocks in your hair, don't bath very often and some have no shoes, you stay in 250 baht hostel rooms when you splurge the spending. 

 

sorry,  your not welcome here,  they want quality tourists that spend money ... not backpackers.

 

maybe south Sudan or Burundi in Africa will be more suited. 

[jayboy]

19 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

Then you don't know people very well.

 

Reading your post it's certainly seems to be the case we know a different kind of people.Nobody I know thinks staying in a decent hotel ( which never ever would have included a dump like the Amari Watergate) or flying business class made an iota of difference to the way they thought about themselves, or the way others regarded them.Those who could afford to do so or had business class travel as a corporate benefit, travelled comfortably.Those who didn't care or weren't well off enough didn't.

 

Incidentally you seem out of touch with the room rates of five star hotels in Bangkok. The rate for the Rosewood or similar is at least Baht 10,000 ++. But your comment about Baht 199 7 piece English breakfast suggests you live in a different world.

 

I have no criticism at all.But I do wonder why some people get so hit up because other people make travel easy for themselves.

[gearbox]

On 4/15/2025 at 12:57 AM, altayvan said:

I’ve been coming to Asia for many years, always on a shoestring. Not a digital nomad, not chasing luxury, just a little bit of a backpacker. The kind who speaks some Thai, stays in hostels, eats street food, and knows the backstreets better than the malls.

 

My first thought goes out to Cheap Charlie in Pattaya. I wonder how he’s getting on. He, like many of us, made a life of simplicity here.

 

I know I inspired friends to follow in my footsteps, some of them spent 30k GBP in a month on holidays, even medical trips. But that was never my style. I stretched every dollar, every baht. And it used to be enough.

 

Now, I feel like I’m considered a low-quality tourist. Immigration seems colder. More scrutiny. More suspicion. Like I’m not welcome anymore unless I can show a big bank balance and perfect insurance. I probably won’t even get 60 days in the country this year.

 

It’s like Thailand (and Southeast Asia in general) has shifted. It’s aiming for a new kind of tourist, those who book resorts from Instagram, drop cash on wellness retreats, and never talk to locals unless it’s through Grab or room service.

 

And that’s fine. Things change.

 

But it stings. Because I’ve loved this region quietly, humbly—for decades. And now I feel like I’m being pushed out of a home I never really had.

 

Just wondering if anyone else feels this shift? Or is it just me, feeling a bit left behind?

You are getting thin skinned. Nobody ever asked me to show bank balance, insurance or return ticket. There are still plenty of backpacker style places. I met quite a few people from all over the world camping for months at some of the best beaches on the Andaman islands, for around 500 baht per day for accommodation and food.

[Harrisfan]

60 days visa exemption for now. They don't ask for insurance.

 

Not sure what the issue is. Islands ruined but mainland is better. More hotels and more cafes along the road.

 

 

[TedG]

4 hours ago, FruitPudding said:

 

Let me play the world's smallest violin for all those working in the tourist industry: tuk tuk drivers, taxi drivers, tour guides, bar girls, go go girls, beach chair people, jet ski guys, elephant owners etc. etc.

 

Most of these people are parasites looking to rip off or scam unsuspecting tourists who have paid a lot of money to come here from the other side if the world.

 

No Fs given at all for these bottom feeders.

It's always good to hate poor people trying to scratch out a living.