Does Thailand Qualify For First World Status?

[Ulysses G.]

Take away the S*x tourist trade and it would probably be the same as 20 years ago - aside from the high end Russian and Chinese tourists of course

They would go too if you took away the s*x tourist trade.

They know, I think that was supposed to be sarcasm.

[ataloss]

There is no unanimous agreement on the definition of Third World but Gross Domestic Income is a pretty good indicator. Thailand comes 87th in the world behind other “major international players” such as Botswana, Gabon, Jamaica and Suriname. So no it’s not First World.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_count..._GNI_per_capita

However some countries in Asia have gone from Third World to First World in just a few decades. Thailand doesn’t, however, appear to be moving in that direction.

Thailand may not want First World status: she uses her 3rd world designation as a diplomatic crutch'me thinks.

[Tod Daniels]

While I didn't bother reading nearly 3 pages of posts, as the answer is NOT up for debate and is most certainly a resounding NO. .. The reply I quoted below caught my attention;

Its climbed the ranks its now a second world country

Please tell me oh wise and witty รักจึงตอแหล that was a "tongue in cheek" remark.

Unless I am mistaken and the glorious "Land 'O Thais" has suddenly become communist it is most certainly NOT a "Second World". Second World countries are Communist/Socialist countries.

Here's how it's broken down;

After World War II the world split into two large geopolitical blocs and spheres of influence with contrary views on government and the politically correct society:

1 - The bloc of democratic-industrial countries within the American influence sphere, the "First World".

2 - The Eastern bloc of the communist-socialist states, the "Second World".

3 - The remaining three-quarters of the world's population, states not aligned with either bloc were regarded as the "Third World."

"First World" refers to so called developed, capitalist, industrial countries, roughly, a bloc of countries aligned with the United States after World War II, with more or less common political and economic interests: North America, Western Europe, Japan and Australia.

"Second World" refers to the former communist-socialist, industrial states, (formerly the Eastern bloc, the territory and sphere of influence of the Union of Soviet Socialists Republic) today: Russia, Eastern Europe (e.g., Poland) and some of the Turk States (e.g., Kazakhstan) as well as China.

"Third World" are all the other countries, today often used to roughly describe the developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America. The term Third World includes as well capitalist (e.g., Venezuela) and communist (e.g., North Korea) countries, as very rich (e.g., Saudi Arabia) and very poor (e.g., Mali) countries.

Clearly that puts the glorious "Land 'O Thais" firmly in the "Third World" status. Feel free to argue until the proverbial cows come home, but it is what it is, deal with it.

[Aikido]

someone said its miles ahead of its neighbours ! so its got more infastructor than singapore and the likes of malaysia? dont think so.

To many Tits running the place feathering thier own nests will be third world for years to come.

Edited July 29, 2008 by Aikido

[rikpa]

Its climbed the ranks its now a second world country

However, Thailand definitely isn't as developed as most Western nations. Bangkok is very modern, but other areas are not. Also the rule of law here is a national disgrace. In a Western nation the insane level of corruption here, politicians murdering thousands of citizens for a boost in popularity, or gangs of thugs attacking peaceful protesters, would never be tolerated.

The "never be tolerated" part, hmmm? In the USA we have no rule of law, effectively (other than the law of money/might makes right, as our constitution was eviscerated completely over the past few years), institutionalized corruption that reaches quite possibly into the trillions of dollars, politicians going to war and murdering 100,000s of civilians for political gain (and for the financial booty as well), an incaceration rate that is greater in both absolute and per capita terms than any other place on earth, and tighteneing surveillance noose to where every last bit that goes through any wire is monitored and sniffed (Echelon and the NSA Internet trunk taps at every major Internet hub for domestic surveillance purposes), where now nearly every bank transaction reported to a central governmental agency with databases linked to every other government database. Oh, and thugs bashing in protestors' heads (when they manage to escape their "designated free speech" quaranties, that is). The UK is, for all intents and purposes even worse in many regards, and seems like the rest of the EU is tagging along quite nicely.

Whatever Thailand's flaws I can say I am so much happier to be living in a modern metropolis like Bangkok, with great infrastructure, great food, great people, and a sane cost of living. Compared to the decade I spent in the overpriced, filthy, run-down city of New York, it's a dream.