Richard4849 Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 As someone who has lived in the real third world (Mauritania, Sierra Leone), I always chuckle when I hear someone referring to Thailand as being "third world" country. Maybe just a relative thing, but I think Thailand left the third world a long time ago. Is there a strict definition, and does Thailand fit it? Or is it fuzzy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPPR2 Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Please use Search feature, this has been discussed over and over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phutoie2 Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 It certainly has, but I have a feeling Dick is fishing for something. My Soi in this town still does not have a mains water supply, waiting 5 years now!, but I have a decent internet connection. The wifes mums village, some 20 kms from our house in the middle of nowhere has no street lighting, telephone line or mains water too. Pretty sure everyone has been instructed to vote for Yingluck on the 3rd too. Maybe she will get the H20 sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soutpeel Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:First_second_third_worlds_map.svg Per this map Thailand is 3rd world.... Or if you wish to define it along ecomomic terms..then developing country... Up to you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard4849 Posted June 5, 2011 Author Share Posted June 5, 2011 Interesting...what's that little "first world" country in northeast South America? And they seem to have Cuba and North Korea in the 2nd World? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 When you see how millions up country have to live a life in poverty in appalling conditions one does wonder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelmann Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Only the mentality!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard4849 Posted June 5, 2011 Author Share Posted June 5, 2011 I've seen lots of poor people in Thailand, yes (and lots of middle class and rich ones) -- but it just does not compare to what one sees in W. Africa, for example. I have never come across anyone in Thailand that was eating dirt because they were so hungry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwasaki Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Indeed Trans they are classed as " Fourth World " and Thailand is still classed as Third World but there are still many levels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckamuck Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 These are out dated definitions that once described political affiliations. The capitalistic democratic western allies and assorted other industrialized countries were first world. Those aligned with socialism and Russia were second world, and the other countries that had little power were third world. The world has changed, and so have the definitions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soutpeel Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 These are out dated definitions that once described political affiliations. The capitalistic democratic western allies and assorted other industrialized countries were first world. Those aligned with socialism and Russia were second world, and the other countries that had little power were third world. The world has changed, and so have the definitions. The OP asked about a definition of a 3rd world country and was provided a link which shows Thailand as a 3rd world country.. .....he never asked for any context. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyko Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Interesting...what's that little "first world" country in northeast South America? ? And they seem to have Cuba and North Korea in the 2nd World Why not? Gaza Strip is already 1st World place. Is there any hope for Berlin to join the club? Amazing World... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwasaki Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 These are out dated definitions that once described political affiliations. The capitalistic democratic western allies and assorted other industrialized countries were first world. Those aligned with socialism and Russia were second world, and the other countries that had little power were third world. The world has changed, and so have the definitions. Outdated that maybe but are still used in some terms to understand the situation of the country in question and how it lists. Other names whether referred to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th, three worlds theory, developing countries. Even levels of freedom for e.g. where Thailand is considered on that platform. Freedom House 2011 partly free. Economic Freedom 2011 moderately free. Press Freedom 2010 difficult situation. Democracy Index 2010 flawed democracy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Is Thailand the third world? Sure it is. Canada is the first world, the USA is the second world and Thailand is the third world. The rest can all wash off into the ocean. Oh, wait a bit, can I save a few of the New Zealand trout streams for myself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1fanatic Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 These are out dated definitions that once described political affiliations. The capitalistic democratic western allies and assorted other industrialized countries were first world. Those aligned with socialism and Russia were second world, and the other countries that had little power were third world. The world has changed, and so have the definitions. Whilst I generally agree with the point you are making, people have a slightly (only slightly) different definition. Third World is generally considered to be the African countries that are not only living in poverty, but where there is virtually no 'middle class' - people are either v wealthy or at starvation level. Thailand is not close to 'First World' classification for many different reasons, but similarly is doing better than the lowest level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard4849 Posted June 5, 2011 Author Share Posted June 5, 2011 I guess if there is a "Fourth World" then I can see Thailand being classified as "Third World". But if you take into account economic indicators, Thailand sits pretty much in the top half to top third of all nations -- definitely not the bottom third. It pretty much represents the average level of economic development, taking into account all nations worldwide. Its people do better than more than those of more than half the nations on earth. Which sure is a sad statement about the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Sorry for the double post. It happens frequently on thai forums where the internet is more like intermittent net. I would not call Thailand a third world country, just as I wouldn't call Japan or China a third world country. But Thailand does have startling differences in culture to European countries and North America. Just because a country is different does not make it a third world country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1fanatic Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 You're deliberately missing the point - it has nothing to do with culture - its the basic amenities for the populace. Thailand does not have drinking water on tap, first (or even second world!) internet access, services that actually respond to a complaint etc. etc. And, nobody thinks of Japan as anything other than 'First World'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard4849 Posted June 5, 2011 Author Share Posted June 5, 2011 Bangkok tap water is perfectly safe to drink, as it is in most larger Thai cities now. And I have no complaints about my 10M True Internet connection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1fanatic Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 (edited) Bangkok tap water is perfectly safe to drink, as it is in most larger Thai cities now. And I have no complaints about my 10M True Internet connection. Lucky you. Phuket (hardly an out in the sticks site) still doesn't have safe drinking water - we have to buy it by the bottle. Edited June 5, 2011 by F1fanatic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PingManDan Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Todays Government would like to think not, H_ell they don't even recognize the common Thai as people, the slaughter of the Red Shirts proved that. Yes it is 3rd World, and sliding even faster then people would like to believe, the rich get (corruptly) richer, and the poor turn to crime to scrap a messily meal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard4849 Posted June 5, 2011 Author Share Posted June 5, 2011 Todays Government would like to think not, H_ell they don't even recognize the common Thai as people, the slaughter of the Red Shirts proved that. Yes it is 3rd World, and sliding even faster then people would like to believe, the rich get (corruptly) richer, and the poor turn to crime to scrap a messily meal Sounds like you're describing the United States. As for the "slaughter" of red shirts, I think you're overlooking the fact that they were throwing bombs at the police -- who maintained remarkable restraint if you ask me. It's not slaughter when you are taking out terrorists who are trying to kill people. I would have killed a whole lot more of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetotravel Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Bangkok tap water is perfectly safe to drink, as it is in most larger Thai cities now. And I have no complaints about my 10M True Internet connection. Lucky you. Phuket (hardly an out in the sticks site) still doesn't have safe drinking water - we have to buy it by the bottle. Bangkok tap water is drinkable only if you don't value your future health. Bottled water ain't much better as it also comes from the Chao Praya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard4849 Posted June 5, 2011 Author Share Posted June 5, 2011 Bangkok tap water is perfectly safe to drink, as it is in most larger Thai cities now. And I have no complaints about my 10M True Internet connection. Lucky you. Phuket (hardly an out in the sticks site) still doesn't have safe drinking water - we have to buy it by the bottle. Bangkok tap water is drinkable only if you don't value your future health. Bottled water ain't much better as it also comes from the Chao Praya. Well, I guess I'll be dying any day now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumpole Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 (edited) Is Thailand the third world? Sure it is. Canada is the first world, the USA is the second world and Thailand is the third world. The rest can all wash off into the ocean. Oh, wait a bit, can I save a few of the New Zealand trout streams for myself? I would like to believe you are joking, but sadly I don't think you are. Edited June 5, 2011 by Rumpole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerWan Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Bangkok tap water is perfectly safe to drink, as it is in most larger Thai cities now. And I have no complaints about my 10M True Internet connection. Lucky you. Phuket (hardly an out in the sticks site) still doesn't have safe drinking water - we have to buy it by the bottle. Where's that 3 G? Problem in Phuket is no phone lines so internet is very bad. IMHO The corruption keeps it 3rd world, pretending to be better but really, when you go to a " 5 star " Bangkok- Phuket hospital and see the absolute mess in the lobby from assorted money making endeavors. Doctors are ill trained and that goes double for vets. Widespread cheating the culprit, I suspect. i Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard4849 Posted June 5, 2011 Author Share Posted June 5, 2011 Without corruption, which is responsible for keeping the prostitution racket in full swing and out in the open, 90% of expats would be on the next plane to Cambodia. And do you really want to wait until the next day to retrieve your drivers license from the cop shop, when it is oh so more convenient to settle the matter on the spot? Really? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PingManDan Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Is Thailand the third world? Sure it is. Canada is the first world, the USA is the second world and Thailand is the third world. The rest can all wash off into the ocean. Oh, wait a bit, can I save a few of the New Zealand trout streams for myself? I would like to believe you are joking, but sadly I don't think you are. Your first thought was right, I AM NOT JOKING, vote Thaksin's sister in to office, move present days Government completly out and lets start making Thailand a place where all are equal.:jap: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard4849 Posted June 5, 2011 Author Share Posted June 5, 2011 I want some of whatever it is you're smoking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExpatJ Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 http://en.wikipedia...._worlds_map.svg Per this map Thailand is 3rd world.... Or if you wish to define it along ecomomic terms..then developing country... Up to you... If you scroll down that page you will see the map is out of date- from the cold war. Thailand is a middle income country- as the OP says anyone who thinks rwanda, sudan et al is like Thailand (as this maps says) obviously has never traveled much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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