Is Thailand Going Down the Toilet?

1/25/2016

Thailand is called paradise by some, a sex tourist haven for others, but in the past few years, the country has seen political turmoil, blatant corruption, tightening of visa regulations, a rash of tourist murders and a changing of attitudes towards foreigners turn Thailand from the Land of Smiles into the Land of Facades. A little more than ten years ago I predicted the influx of tourists and expats would change Thailand forever. Is Thailand going down the toilet as a tourist and expat destination or is the up-to-the-second media presence making it look worse than it really is? What do you think?

They Call Me Farang - Short Stories By An American In Bangkok

3 Comments

Gary Stamey

1/24/2016 11:09:50 am

Interesting and oh so true video, thanks Scott.

It may take a bit to get fully weaned from Thailand[we are still addicted to the place, but not enough to return, we know the "reality" supersedes the dream of actually living there and "putting up" with the various daily BS that many exPats more or less just forget about.

Since you are not a narcotic or drunk, your weaning should be easier than most long term exPats...;-)

I believe you'll like traveling outside SE Asia and particularly Central/South America and the many, many great places in North America. We personally have it made in Az, but the desert is not for everyone, but we've been around and find the solitude, even in a housing tract to be more "ChiangRai than BKK-like"...but every place has good and lousy areas.

As for Ecuador or ..Peru, either country should be OK, both have easier long term VISA redtape and in Ecuador, you can even "buy" citizenship or a form of it, which includes owning property/land,etc. From high sierra like mts to sandy and drier than you'd believe coastal climate[Manta to Salinas]compared to BKK, most cities in the world are smaller, certainly cleaner, but corruption lingers most 3rd world places, one way or another, the double standard exist, but some aren't much, others just milk ya in and then clean ya out[Mexico anyone?]...Learning to NOT make waves is mandatory and while exPats can often feel they are "locals" you know most of the time, that feeling ends with who buys the beer!

Still remember a few Haoles actually thought they were locals, whether it be on the Big Island or Oahu or Maui or Kauai..the locals, not unlike the 3rd world folks, have that general jealousy/envy that tends to sour things for the naive...this is NO different in Central/South America with the slight exception of marrying a local, then the families will accept you more, otherwise, like Thailand, if you don't play the big spender, then you're little more than cheap charlie...:-(

Yes, these are ALL generalization, but all have a sad bit of the truth to them...

btw, you might really like the desert southwest, google "lake powell houseboats"etc and it'll give you an idea of almost serene silence...but like everything else, most of the big western lakes are drying up, but a few are SO big, it still doesn't matter...

Thanks for your contribution to society, we appreciate your take, most of time...:-)

Sorry to be so long winded...keep snap'n them pix! You got the touch bud!

Fred Azbell

1/27/2016 07:20:23 pm

Spot on, Scott. Ecuador would have been my choice except for the Spanish language requirement. I know some very basic Spanish but I will never be fluent in any language but English. I can get by in Thailand with only English. If I thought I could muddle through in Ecuador, I might reconsider and try to move. Thailand is definitely going off the deep end in tightening visa requirements and hunting down "overstayers". Most of those living here make more money than Thais and contribute more to the economy. SImple economics would dictate a more sane approach to immigration, but this is unlikely to happen. The recent drop in temperature made me realize just how much the heat saps my energy. I am dreading the eventual return of hot weather. I will probably stay here for the time being, but the eventual health crisis down the road could end my life unnecessarily and Ecuador has a healthcare system that legal residents can access for about seventy bucks a month. I've been here nine months, now and I suppose I will give it a year,but Thailand keeps pushing the envelope.

Scott Mallon link

1/30/2016 06:30:43 am

Hi Gary,

It is hard to get through to people when talking about the negatives of Thailand. Many people absolutely refuse to believe that anything could be bad here. It's like the blind being blind to the fact that they can't see.

As far as traveling outside of Asia and in the US, I've been to around 40 states. I plan on traveling through America to do a photo project but it probably won't be for another 5-10 years. I used to go to Lake Havasu and various other places in between California and Nevada. I may try Reno, but not for a bit.

South America, Central America, been to several countries and liked what I saw, however none like Thailand, which says something. Ecuador sounds good, but then again, so does Amsterdam (only for a few months at a time) and Madeira.

All I know is I want to get away from the masses of people somewhere peaceful and isolated yet close enough to get to a town in 2-3, maybe 4 hours. One thing about living outside of the US, despite how much you pay, despite how you fit in, despite people liking you, you will never be that particular nationality. You will never be Thai, Dutch, Ecuadorian, whatever...and that is a huge difference, especially here in Thailand. You're always an outsider.

Is Thailand Going Down the Toilet?

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