SURVEY: Thailand, Better or Worse?

[Scott]

Thaivisa is introducing a new feature. We will have a weekly survey of your opinions. Feel free to vote and comment on the survey question.

[Credo]

Difficult to answer. The government makes it a lot more complicated to live in Thailand, but there are on-going improvements in infrastructure and other areas that make life here convenient.

[EmptyHead]

Scams are getting worse

Violence toward westerners is getting worse

Corruption getting worse (more and more "suicides", not murders)

Cost of living increasing

Teacher's salaries staying the same, though contracts are getting shorter and shorter

More xenophobia

Foreigners getting blamed for everything....more cracking down on us, when they should be dealing with their own problems

Cost of going up (sorry)

Worse traffic jams

More pollution

Less natural environment

[Ulysses G.]

10 years is too short of a time IMO. To me, it seems pretty much the same.
25 years ago the whole sex industry was much wilder and much cheaper, but foreign food was absolutely terrible and there was very little access to many books, films, TV series and music from overseas that are all common now.

Edited January 26, 2015 by Ulysses G.

[Beetlejuice]

10 years is too short of a time IMO. To me, it seems pretty much the same.

25 years ago the whole sex industry was much wilder and much cheaper, but foreign food was absolutely terrible and there was very little access to many books, films, TV series and music from overseas that are all common now.

I agree.

The nightlife and adults entertainment scenes have become completely commercialised over the last 20 years and although Europeanised foods are now widely available it can be rather expensive, even more so than in our home countries. As regards the more availability of books, films, TV series, music and movies, this is because that most of it is available on the Internet, whereas 20 years plus ago virtually no one had Internet in Thailand. I can remember the only main sources of news from abroad was buying week old additions of over priced foreign newspapers in the town at selected stores, the Bangkok Post and listening to the BBC on a short wave radio. Back in those days the standard waiting list for a landline phone was 4 years or quicker if willing to pay an under the counter exorbitant price.

I could not vote in the survey because I think opinions must vary according to how long living in Thailand, which areas we live, age and circumstances. But going back 20 years, 25 years and 30 years, although the lifestyles were basic, I still preferred those times when everything was rough and ready, it was cheap and we seemed to have more fun. Many people have told me that I only feel this way because I have got older, but I don`t believe that because in Thailand over the years life has become much more commercialised, more expensive, fast and furious. Also what we used to take for granted as regular social and nights out, such as adult entertainments, has now become overpriced and an expensive luxury. I could no where near afford to let my hair down and have a night out on the town as often as I could in the past.

So for me I am not enjoying my lifestyle in Thailand as much I as did 10 and more years ago.

[CharlieH]

I think the experience one has will largely depend on where you live, what you experience in say Phuket, a heavily trod tourist area, and what you experience in rural agricultural Thailand will be vastly different.

[baneko]

Worse....

[MJP]

I think the experience one has will largely depend on where you live, what you experience in say Phuket, a heavily trod tourist area, and what you experience in rural agricultural Thailand will be vastly different.

I agree with Charlie. Up in the sticks it's much better these days (we have stable electric and no litter) but with the negativity towards foreigners (which frankly is well deserved considering) and the deterioration of the tourist areas into criminal hotspots, tighter visa requirements . . . I'd say overall a lot worse. Throw in inflated costs and Forex and . . . well you know.

[mrtoad]

Some things better, a lot of things worse.

[jpinx]

Really the question and response choices are too vague. Thailand provides a very wide spectrum for expats. Living in Chiang Rai is never going to be the same as living in Phuket.

Hone the questions for a more interesting result.

Do you feel more welcome as an expat in Thailand in 2015 than in 2005 ?

Is Thailand better to live in as an expat, or better as a holiday destination for about a month?

Are the expats you actually meet in Thailand the kind of people you make friends with - or not?

Other question suggestions please ?

[Thian]

Thai have become cell=phone addicts, i don't like that.

[Scott]

10 years is too short of a time IMO. To me, it seems pretty much the same.

25 years ago the whole sex industry was much wilder and much cheaper, but foreign food was absolutely terrible and there was very little access to many books, films, TV series and music from overseas that are all common now.

It is very difficult to compare Thailand today with 25 years ago. There probably aren't even a lot of people who could vote in a survey because they wouldn't have any idea of what the country was like at that time.

25 years ago, it was like living on a different planet. Phones were rare, and most apartment buildings had several lines and you got to call out or receive calls but could only talk for 3 to 5 minutes (depending on where you lived). Western food was as rare as hen's teeth. Western television was simply not available (that I remember).....but as you noted the sex industry was a lot wilder and a lot cheaper. Bars were open until everyone went home. No restrictions on alcohol sales or opening/closing times.

The country was very young with the vast majority of the population under 25. Children worked everywhere from construction to factories and I don't remember a gas station that had an adult gas attendant (except for the one who the kids took the money to). Most of the motorcycle taxi boys were literally boys....maybe 15-17 or so.

....Oh and no helmet law, so the death rate was astronomical.

This poll is basically looking at about 2005 to now. 2005 would have been before the Coup.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Better or worse than where?

Generally the whole world is getting worse as a place to live.

I'd still rather live here than North Korea though.

Although in the near future it's likely gonna get worse than almost anywhere.

[NoshowJones]

Scams are getting worse

Violence toward westerners is getting worse

Corruption getting worse (more and more "suicides", not murders)

Cost of living increasing

Teacher's salaries staying the same, though contracts are getting shorter and shorter

More xenophobia

Foreigners getting blamed for everything....more cracking down on us, when they should be dealing with their own problems

Cost of going up (sorry)

Worse traffic jams

More pollution

Less natural environment

I don't think scams or corruption are getting worse, they have always been here, if you have been here long enough, you can avoid them. As for corruption, there have been advantages and disadvantages to Westerners here in Thailand, I may be wrong, but I can't think of any corruption which has affected me, most of it seems to involve the police, but any policeman I have spoken to about anything have been very helpful.

[NoshowJones]

Really the question and response choices are too vague. Thailand provides a very wide spectrum for expats. Living in Chiang Rai is never going to be the same as living in Phuket.

Hone the questions for a more interesting result.

Do you feel more welcome as an expat in Thailand in 2015 than in 2005 ?

Is Thailand better to live in as an expat, or better as a holiday destination for about a month?

Are the expats you actually meet in Thailand the kind of people you make friends with - or not?

Other question suggestions please ?

1 The same.

2 Better to live in as an expat.

3 Mostly yes.

[AYJAYDEE]

I think Thailand is getting worse at a slower rate than most of the rest of the world. So I'm happy.

[Soutpeel]

I think it got worse with the advent of cheap air tickets from farangistan, thus allowing pikeys and various other low class farangs to travel more than 12 miles from where their mothers delivered them in the local pig shed

I think we should petition to government to tighten up on the visa process, and increase the financial requirements for long term stay

[Thai at Heart]

Thailand returned to some kind of financial strength in the last 10 years.

The place went to the dogs. Corruption exploding, construction exploding, cost of living exploding.

It could have been done in a much better way. I am currently suing someone for stealing a car. Might as well kiss the money good bye.

Nothing functions. Wrongdoing goes virtually unpunished.

[AYJAYDEE]

I think it got worse with the advent of cheap air tickets from farangistan, thus allowing pikeys and various other low class farangs to travel more than 12 miles from where their mothers delivered them in the local pig shed

I think we should petition to government to tighten up on the visa process, and increase the financial requirements for long term stay

I find it easier to live where they wont.

[khwaibah]

89% as of now are voting negative. That says all you need to know.

Edited January 26, 2015 by khwaibah

[jpinx]

89% as of now are voting negative. That says all you need to know.

That says that 89% of voters are grumpy old men !!

[Berkshire]

89% as of now are voting negative. That says all you need to know.

The current tally is more like about 58% negs. But if you were to ask old folks back home the same question, I'd bet it would be slanted towards the negative as well. It seems pretty much every old person yearns for the "good old days."

[oMega69]

Much worse so Im relocate to Medellin Colombia . . . . . . . . .

since 2008 i have lost over 10 000b on my exchange rate : problem with Visas : Insane traffic in Pattaya thanks to the 200+ new buses : Thainess going backwards : LT is 1000b before 500b : Food drinks are at least 25% more expensive now : List can go on !

[phetmike]

After teaching here for 10 years, I am leaving. I am 74 years old and wanted to teach until I died because I love the kids and I love teaching. That said, in 10 years I have seen the standard of teaching deteriorate and realize that standards are not requires, just the façade of a standard. Immigration has become a nightmare and corruption unbearable. The money grasping Thai (95% of the population) is one of the ugliest things one can encounter but it takes a long time to penetrate this façade of "Beautiful Thailand" and "Happy Thais" Because of that I am leaving Thailand and I do not think that I will ever return.

[richard_smith237]

I voted that its a slightly better place for expats to live - In Bangkok at least.

Reasons:

There are widely available shopping facilities with many items which can found back home

The restaurants for the most part have got much better

A better selection of Wines and beers

Improved quality of Condos

Taxi's have got better (especially with the addition of the smart phone apps)

Improved regional transport options (i.e. more domestic flights)

More people speak English (and I have learnt more Thai which also makes things easier)

Social media has made us far more aware of what can happen (issues have probably always occurred, sites such as TV.com can now make us aware more readily).

However:

Traffic is worse

Everything is more expensive

[Jeffrey346]

Based on my life style it's about the same.

[yellowboat]

Many of us who worked with good people in Thailand were dismayed by the governments actions. At the same time, anyone who knows the Thai government well puts little faith in them and is ready walk away at the drop of a hat. The ordinary Thai is less fortunate.

[johnmcc6]

Lot's of great Thai friends....lots of happy expats around me....never been ripped off or given a bad experience. Perhaps those who have trouble here or constantly say ferangs are disliked here should change their attitude? A smile greets me with hello uncle john at my local 7/11 because I treat them as equals.We have more Thai invites to things than we can handle. Quite easy to enjoy living here. It's simple really. It's nice to be nice. If you walk around shirtless,long hair with caps on backward in need of a bath leering at women and being impatient in your dealings with Thai's of course they will not like you. Neither would I for that matter. You are a guest here. Show some respect and everything will be fine. You get back what you put out. The only one that gives me a hard time is my wife!!! But only for a few minutes lol.

[metisdead]

A troll post with aberrant misspelling of another member's nic has been removed as well as the replies.

[PaulHamon]

feel about the same to me....

someone like the person below is not looking at it objectively.

people think everything is on the increase, when really it's just that NOW everything is reported better.

I mean, there are dozens of places to find information form the CITIZEN JOURNALIST (or facebook junky).

10 years ago, we'll how many people could upload a video/photo to the share to tens of thousands of people?

most of the things in this list have not changed.

~ traffic, yes

~ cost of living, marginally

but everyone else... I doubt it's changed much at all.

Scams are getting worse

Violence toward westerners is getting worse

Corruption getting worse (more and more "suicides", not murders)

Cost of living increasing

Teacher's salaries staying the same, though contracts are getting shorter and shorter

More xenophobia

Foreigners getting blamed for everything....more cracking down on us, when they should be dealing with their own problems

Cost of going up (sorry)

Worse traffic jams

More pollution

Less natural environment