We all love Thai culture, that is the reason why so many of us are here. It's not all about economics, because many other countries have better economies to be taken advantage of for those only stretching their pensions as far as possible. Yet so many choose Thailand.

Thainess does have its infinite charms, but as I have read on here (and also posted) it also seems to have its fair share of faults.

So if you could wave a magic wand and eradicate certain aspects of the culture or way of life..... What would you target?

This is not to be turned into a Thai bashing thread, It isn't about that. It is about the fact we all have our certain little grumbles about things here, even though the positives far outweigh the negatives, but in your judgement, what are the niggly things that prevent LOS from being a veritable utopia?

You might not want it to become a Thai bashing thread, but the outcome is predetermined. Give it four or five posts, and see what happens.

The mindset

You might not want it to become a Thai bashing thread, but the outcome is predetermined. Give it four or five posts, and see what happens.

I don't think so really.

Most people may post that they wouldn't change a thing.

I have my gripes, but if I was asked to target any particular thing, I may find it difficult.

However, Those annoying Thai soaps may well find themselves in the cross hares.

Edited October 1, 201312 yr by klubex99

i really dont see the point in hitting everything that irks me with a singapore stick.

I think I would improve the search function on TV

Enforce the smoking ban in Soi 8 bar.

I would probably waive my magic wand for my fellow farang... trying to give them more understanding, coolness and patience with regards to the things they don't like in this wonderful country...

Some may say eradicate corruption. Because it is a foundation of many things wrong in society, but then again many will not want that changed because they have benefited from it at one time or another.

I think there should be better care for the elderly, outside of that leave the place alone. The country is on a long drag upwards, just the same way as we had to endure the same thing in our countries. We're not so smart, just a little bit ahead.

Give us a decent status, stop 90 day reports and just use annual visa's, or 5 year permits for long stay retired, treat us more like people and not the well used "Aliens".

Face.

Except for the really cute ones.

I think I would waive my magic wand and not change anything. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

I think I said that last time we had this discussion... the one about the search engine was originally someone else's, though.

I'd probably try to improve people's spelling, and I'd like to teach the world to sing...

Don't even go there!! What would happen to "General topics"?

thailand is thailand and will always be thailand,

I wouldn't change a thing cause one change could upset the whole apple cart

I would wave my magic stick at the immigration to cure the xenophobia/injustice. Why has a family/married couple ZERO rights? You can be married with 2 children and have a visa, support whole villages but you need to go through the same ridicoulus procedures every year. That includs 90 day reports, reports if you stay as a guest in another house, no work permit, no lands ownership, almost like a criminal. That´s discriminating and near to human rights violation. At least give us a five year family visa with some extra priviliges.

A guest is a guest and has to adapt to the local conditions, i accept that. But as a country depending on foreign investment (japanese, chinese, western) why can´t they be a little more open to people who won´t do any harm and are mostly wealthy. An advantage for the country! The Thainess and all it´s ups and downs can stay as it is, because it wouldn´t be amazing Thailand without it.

I would remove all of the restrictions on the employment of non Thais in Thailand.

I think both Thailand and many of the expats here would benefit greatly.

Also the reluctance to hire anyone ( Thai or not) over the age of 30.30 is just about the age where people have gained enough experience to be proficient and have learned a decent work ethic.

Just my thoughts.

I would remove all of the restrictions on the employment of non Thais in Thailand.

I think that's about to happen with the upcoming AEC. Of course, it's only for ASEAN member countries.

Give us a decent status, stop 90 day reports and just use annual visa's, or 5 year permits for long stay retired, treat us more like people and not the well used "Aliens".

Agreed, AND eradicate ants and Mozzies.

The problem with wanting to make changes is the assumption that everything else stays the same. Not realistic. For example, if foreign land ownership were allowed, real estate prices would increase significantly. If visa requirements were reduced, more undesirables would wash up on our shores. If the standard of living were raised, not as many Thai women would be seeking a way out or be interested in foreigners. If the infrastructure were to improve to western standards, it would mean the country was wealthier and the price of everything would be higher. And if the Thais could speak English....heck, it wouldn't even be Thailand anymore, it'd be the Philippines!

Personally, my biggest gripe is the air quality during burning season.

I would remove all of the restrictions on the employment of non Thais in Thailand.

I think both Thailand and many of the expats here would benefit greatly.

Also the reluctance to hire anyone ( Thai or not) over the age of 30.30 is just about the age where people have gained enough experience to be proficient and have learned a decent work ethic.

Just my thoughts.

Sure, I can just see all the wrinkly farang retirees,queuing up for a minimum wage job at 7 /11.or the local rice paddies.

Don't change anything.

Its fine as it is.

If you can't cut the mustard.

Don't apply it to your ham sandwich.

I would remove all of the restrictions on the employment of non Thais in Thailand.

I think both Thailand and many of the expats here would benefit greatly.

Also the reluctance to hire anyone ( Thai or not) over the age of 30.30 is just about the age where people have gained enough experience to be proficient and have learned a decent work ethic.

Just my thoughts.

Sure, I can just see all the wrinkly farang retirees,queuing up for a minimum wage job at 7 /11.or the local rice paddies.

I did try, they said sorry, tooooooooooo wrinkly . Drat........

The attitude that all Farang are rich.

The awful Thai comedy Thais watch and I'd love to change some of the racist attitudes. We've all heard the Indian putdowns. I'd also like to change "you farang, you rich" attitude. Nothing more annoying than a taxi driver, asking for tip because "you rich farang" - a sure fire way NOT to get a tip.

Apart, from that, nothing much as others have said, this country and culture is so welcoming and rich, you wouldn't want to change it.

Edited October 1, 201312 yr by Hawkman

Give us a decent status, stop 90 day reports and just use annual visa's, or 5 year permits for long stay retired, treat us more like people and not the well used "Aliens".

Agreed, AND eradicate ants and Mozzies.

CharlieH....agree with you and transam...live here married to Thai = 5 yr Permit...no questions asked. You divorce and back to the 90day reports. that keeps an eye on the undesireables, they don't want....

I would remove all of the restrictions on the employment of non Thais in Thailand.

I think both Thailand and many of the expats here would benefit greatly.

Also the reluctance to hire anyone ( Thai or not) over the age of 30.30 is just about the age where people have gained enough experience to be proficient and have learned a decent work ethic.

Just my thoughts.

Sure, I can just see all the wrinkly farang retirees,queuing up for a minimum wage job at 7 /11.or the local rice paddies.

It would be a money saving profit maker!

It takes 6-8 young Thais to operate a 7/11.

In other countries one wrinkly face can run the whole show...and more efficiently too!

P.S. This wrinkly face has been seen in his wife's rice paddy from time to time ( but not working of course!)

I would remove all of the restrictions on the employment of non Thais in Thailand.

I think both Thailand and many of the expats here would benefit greatly.

Also the reluctance to hire anyone ( Thai or not) over the age of 30.30 is just about the age where people have gained enough experience to be proficient and have learned a decent work ethic.

Just my thoughts.

Sure, I can just see all the wrinkly farang retirees,queuing up for a minimum wage job at 7 /11.or the local rice paddies.

It would be a money saving profit maker!

It takes 6-8 young Thais to operate a 7/11.

In other countries one wrinkly face can run the whole show...and more efficiently too!

P.S. This wrinkly face has been seen in his wife's rice paddy from time to time ( but not working of course!)

I do smile when in a LOS 7/11 or mini Tesco that there is always more staff than customers.

How they all linger and lounge around Star Buck all the time. I'm here now as a paying customer of over 400 baht worth of goods, and we're struggling to find a table. 90% of them don't even have a drink, just a book, uni notes and an Ipod, pretending to study.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Improvements for foreigners:

- make a retirement visa accessible regardless of age, as long as there are 10 million net in the bank

- allow foreigners to work as freelancers/entrepreneurs/companies without any restrictions, as long as their clients are exclusively abroad

- allow foreigners to own up to 6 rai of land in designated areas, only for their own/family residential purpose and/or to house their freelancer activity or company with foreign activity

Improvements for Thailand:

- education. English language should be a huge huge priority

- TV: the Thai government should put great effort into making one quality TV channel with intelligent news, scientific vulgarisation programmes and cultural openness programmes.

- police: the police needs to act better against dangerous behavior, not just when there is a crackdown, and courts have to be much harsher against repeat offenders. This includes technical inspections of buildings, boats, buses, etc.

- Thailand needs in general to improve its cleanness, in the fields near cities and on the beaches. I suggest creating a "trash police" who will examine trash and track and fine or jail offenders.