Reader question: Do you also think Thailand has changed so much?
Dear readers,
Thailand has changed a lot in 20 years. Last month we returned to Pattaya for a week in our favorite resort: Woodland Nakula road. Now it is no longer one of our favorite resorts.
The new manager hates Agoda but I told him without those kind of bookings he can close the place. We had a comment about the coffee and tea that is now placed in thermos flasks. By the time we have breakfast it is undrinkable. The coffee cold and the tea black. Enough staff but they are too busy with their phones.
My hairdresser is gone and there is now a Russian. The pedicure manicure business is also closed. The new market is not running. Many stables closed nothing to do. Woodland's Cafe Paris is busy with Thais but makes foreigners wait 45 minutes for their order. The manager does nothing about it and just stands there smoking. The buffet has gone down a lot. What is that anyway?
Same in Bangkok. Montien also hates Agoda. Want you to pay 7,50 euros for internet while this is free on the corner at Coolcorner. Also here the buffet has deteriorated a lot.
So for the next Thailand looking for new hotels. And we never forget the chambermaid or the suitcase boy. She also didn't want to give us a zero bill, so don't be nice. We know from experience that some hotels charge your credit card afterwards, so be careful. And not only in Thailand. They are also trying in America and China. Luckily we had proof and got everything back.
Again my question do you think Thailand has changed so much?
With kind regards,
Christina
Yes Thailand has changed, everything is still about money, especially in the tourist places
The eternal smile has disappeared now there is only interest in your atm card
Do you also think Thailand has changed in this case with a d.
That's right…..the eternal smile has changed over the years into…..the eternal grimace…..unfortunately.
Unfortunately, the whole world has changed. Crime is growing everywhere, but the Thai smile and friendliness are decreasing, but that is also because many tourists misbehave and walk through the china cabinet like an elephant.
I have been coming to Thailand several times a year since 1984 and have lived there for about 10 years now. Although I still really like it there, a lot has indeed changed.
Scams involving taxis, jet skis, liquor bills in gogo tents, etc. happen all the time.
Furthermore, of course, hassle with visas, double prices for foreigners at nature parks, 180 baht costs at an ATM cash withdrawal, etc. etc.
But luckily there are also very nice, honest, helpful and friendly Thais.
But you will only be stuck with a bunch of rude Russians, Englishmen, Dutchmen every day, while you earn a hungry wage. 🙂
Indeed there are still nice friendly Thais. In Chiang Mai is Mr.K and his wife we have known them for years. Were very pleased to be back. He now has a travel agency and he gave us discounts on the trips and the laundry was done for free. Of course we had brought Dutch presents for them.
A tour we took on the Ping River was ruined because I refused to walk on a plank 5 meters long and 20 centimeters wide laid in ruins. We are not tired of life. After a long discussion our money back and mr.K who books our photos no longer. Class!
Few Russians seen in Pattaya in December. And indeed they are rude especially to staff in hotels. We met people from Ukraine who spoke good English and said sorry about the MH17
Were surprised when they asked something from us and got an answer the two places I've been coming to for years were taken over by the Russians. No more Pattaya for us.
Dear Lou,
totally agree with your last sentence. You'd conjure up a grimace for less than a smile.
Lung addie
What about the floating market, a purely commercial market with high prices. Until recently this market was freely accessible, now as a tourist you can first tap 200 baht and then spend your money. Markt offers some extra entertainment, but you can still pay a lot for that separately. Incidentally, the Thai, who generally spend little, can enter for FREE. If you bypass the main entrance, you can enter it through the side without any problem. You have to take the chance that you will be treated brutally because you did not put a sticker on it. Just pretend you lost it.....
Hello,
I have also been coming to Thailand for 20 years and always stay in a 5 star hotel (it used to be 4 stars, new carpet and it was 5). I also think that the hotel service is becoming less and with 100 euros per night I am not paying very little. My friend says that we are also very spoiled when it comes to service and that a little bit less is immediately noticeable, but that it is still great. (is he right?)
As far as the city itself is concerned, I think it is progress, more and more markets and more and more shopping centers, many stalls on the street with tasty food.
Everything open on Sundays the same as the rest of the week. shops open until 10 o'clock in the evening and here you also have a lot of turnover in shops because you don't know what you will find next, pizza farmer or hairdresser.
I think the changes are positive and I don't make much use of the negative points mentioned...bring cash, go by boat or skytrain.
g carla
Your friend is right in Montien less juices at breakfast no fresh orange juice. No ham, no waffles, no rice cakes, no cups with yogurt, but a bowl with ant sweet and little choice of fresh fruit. Bread and croissants not fresh. Can take an example from Mae Ping in Chiang Mai wells where no cheese but if you ask or cold ham everything super fresh. Only the rooms need an update?
For the record, this refers to the floating market in Pattaya…….
In the Thailand blog of January 26, Christina asked whether “we” think that Thailand has also changed that much. Had to think for a long time whether I would respond, but here's a response from an older person (73 years young) who has been coming here for 30 years and has been living here permanently for almost 18 years now. I think I can say tried and tested here.
Indeed Thailand and then I speak about my hometown Chiang Mai has changed beyond recognition. But in many areas. For the foreigner living here to the advantage and disadvantage.
But first a counter question. Do you think the Netherlands has changed?
I left the Netherlands in 1972 because of my work, have been back there every year, but I don't recognize anything there anymore. How the Netherlands has changed for me. The last time was already three years ago and after a week I have seen it all and am happy to be able to go back to Chiang Mai.
The changes in Thailand to name a few. Roughly 20 years ago there was little or no internet. No ATM, no highways. No coffee and no large department stores such as Big-C, Makro and, for example, Tesco Lotus.
When acquaintances came this way, they always received a laundry list of items that they “were allowed” to take with them.
How different it is now. TOPS, the Makro of which there are three in Chiang Mai. Tesco Lotus, 7Eleven on every corner. Got a question last week from friends who come here what to bring. Answer was simple, just a good mood and that's enough because we really have everything in abundance here. Now drink my high quality Thai DE coffee daily. When I emigrated here in 1997, I brought a bread machine with me. Used it a few times and now I get the best bread at TOPS for 80 baht and it is neatly cut and packaged, just like in Belgium where I lived for years. The variation in bread types is actually unbelievable. I could of course go on and on, but there is also a downside. Chiang Mai is growing at the seams and with the growth, traffic is also increasing. And, as everywhere in the world, so is the aggression in traffic. The latter coupled with the very poor traffic discipline and supervision and we have a point.
Immediately answering the question posed some time ago regarding the aggressiveness of the inhabitants of this country. I can endorse 100% what was already apparent from various examples and answers. Had to and was allowed to travel the world and so know what I'm talking about, but what I've experienced in terms of aggressiveness here in 17 years is okay. Apparently very friendly people but do not address them about very improper behavior because people go completely crazy and everything is possible. An example of what may be. Have three dogs and walk them daily in a sports park. Neat on the line. I walk on the narrow footpath which is forbidden for cyclists and motorcycles with a large sign, But there comes a madman on a motorcycle at dusk and tears past me at full speed and just misses the dogs. A minute later I see him (approx. 30 years old) and say very politely with a blow “this is a sports park” (I speak Thai well). The response is unbelievable and not suitable for publication. So aggressive while making no gestures or being rude. And stand in front of me with clenched fists. After all the years I know, don't respond and just keep walking.
Something completely different about the mindset I experienced. Had a collision 18 times in the almost 4 years and could not prevent all times and not my fault. 17 years ago, riding a 100cc rental motorcycle and without knowing why I fly over the steering wheel and lie injured on the street. Brought to the hospital by a Tuk Tuk driver and allowed to enjoy there for 12 days. Later learned that two young men on the motorcycle had overspeeded and slammed into my rear wheel. But leave it for dead and run.
Two years ago. Like a new car with red shield. Had to go straight and got hit by an officer in an uninsured car. He overtook the traffic jam on the left, so via the exit lane and then wanted to shoot in between and hit the back of my car. And classic here, right away full throttle. But I went after it and 1 km further we had him. My not nauseous Thai wife immediately took the key out of his car and called our insurance and the police. The good man was drunk and driving uninsured. Started to cry because had no money and whether we wanted the repair done as cheaply as possible.
Drive my motorcycle on the highway, 70 km per hour a boy with such a small motorcycle crosses the road right in front of me. Couldn't see him coming of course. Hit the brakes hard to avoid him, but of course the bike flips on its side and I fly over the handlebars. Have protective gear included a Hit-Air jacket with airbags that saved my life. 50 Thai viewers but no one reached out. As I scramble to my feet, a pick-up truck comes with two cops who slowly drive by and leave me lying there. I get up and the young man from the bike makes a U-turn and is off. Of course I know most of them don't have insurance. And by standing for himself and the family cause a problem, but I still find it difficult to reconcile this with the teachings of Buddhism.
Back to the question of whether Thailand has changed. 17 years ago I was left behind and in many cases that is still the case.
So nothing has changed in that respect. Living here is taking stock. You come here because you expect to have a better life here than where you came from. The first year is one to gain experience. But then you will see that the Thai smile is nothing. And of course there is much more to it so then it is time to ask yourself “shall I stay here or shall I go back”.
After some time I learned that I should enjoy the benefits and the Thais just do their "thing". I have no influence on that, so don't let me get out of my tent or get annoyed by it.
Have a wife who is 15 years younger, so not so young anymore, but can speak 4 languages, including Dutch now. So have no communication problem and can talk about everything. Have cable internet here, NLTV (what a luxury), never go to a bar because make it cozy at home with my dogs and cats. So live here just like I used to in the Netherlands and later in Belgium. I have learned to speak Thai well and, despite the age of 73, I still go to private Thai lessons 5 times a week, which has become an essential part of my life and which does me no harm here. Even when I go out with the motorcycle and the Thais notice that you can speak their language reasonably well, a world opens up. The latter as a tip for any newcomers.
So I regularly make a tour with the motorcycle. Used to be a big one, now a Honda PCX 150 and it takes me everywhere. Am not a road cowboy so drive normally and very defensively. I've been retired for quite a few years now, but I notice more and more that I'm running out of time. Have many hobbies including cooking with my wife (a master chef).
In short, yes Thailand has changed a lot but what country hasn't. Came to China for the first time in 1990 and now go check it out. The Netherlands, read a few newspapers every day, how that has changed. Couldn't adapt anymore in the Netherlands.
A long answer to a simple question but just maybe those who have plans to come this way and leave hearth and home behind can take advantage of it. Despite the fact that the Euro is failing us (including the UNIVÉ) I do not regret a moment, I would say on the contrary that I have made the big step.
Best regards from very sunny Chiang Mai, for me the most beautiful city to live.
Wim
The first time I came to Thailand was 40 years ago. Bangkok was as flat as Antwerp. Pattaya was a large fishing village. So the question of whether anything has changed in 20 years is quite a question. it would be bad! That the change is good or bad? That is the question ! Usually the answer lies in the middle. We have it better because of progress, but on the other hand we lose the authentic of the past.
Completely agree with you!
The world has indeed changed thoroughly and so has Thailand, but Thailand (much) less than the rest of the world, I would dare to say. And I do mean that positively.
Businesses that disappear, open and close again have always been typical of Thailand, the scams have been around for decades, and tourists who think that the whole world depends on their game is not old news either.
I think it's also a bit in our head, by which I mean that we apparently always find things from the past better and more beautiful.
Whether it's about music, about the friendliness of the people, about the better food, etc..., it used to be (SOUGHT) always better.
Globally, I blame the multi-criminal society for the negatively changing world, as far as Thailand is concerned, the tourists are the bad guys for me.
that's right we just got back from thailand, you really have to pay for everything now, even for parking at a park free in nature, everything was doubled
Hi, Not just in Thailand, after living and working in Thailand for 10 years, back in New Zealand and believe me it's absolutely the same here everything revolves around your ATM/Visa and everything costs more and more while the value of what you get back gets less and less. My experience with the holidays in Thailand, which I have had since my return to New Zealand, and going back for vacation and later for my retirement, is a fact, I have been very happily married for 15 years with a special Thai angel and zi is the only one i can trust and always fall back on is her family, believe i am one of the lucky ones, money has never been a problem with the family.
I understand that it is not always like that and yes I must confess that Thailand even in the traditional original places, small village close to Petchabun city, has also changed a lot and see that in the tourist places like Pattaya and Puketh it is only has gotten worse.
I went to Pattaya for years because I worked close to it, Phanat Nikom and since my last visit last year I didn't know Pattaye again and I don't have to anymore, if so Thailand is changing a lot like the rest of the world, or maybe I'm getting too old and maybe I'm thinking too old and I'm not willing to change with it anymore, everything used to be better ????
I came here over 40 yrs ago and settled in Bangkok for 13 yrs, then moved to upcountry. Sukhumvit was 2 way traffic, all streets by the way.
There was no express way, Central Ladprao had yet to be built, it was an empty piece of land. The limousine from Don Muang to Sukhumvit soi 3 was 50 baht, taxi 30 baht. Gasoline was Baht 4.25 satang. The road was all potholes and the traffic moved at a walking pace, it was only 1 lanes. Orchid farms between Don Muang and along the road to Bangkok. Bangkok started in Ding Daeng where a large sign said Welcome to Bangkok. Pattaya was still a village with little traffic and the bus to Bangkok was halfway along Beach Road. Mikes Supermarket was the only supermarket in Pattaya but there was little choice.
There were no double prizes and most of it was free. Correction, the one who charged double prices was the Chinese owner of the Crocodile Farm in Samut Prakan, who was also the only one.
The road from Bangkok to Pattaya was a 2 lane road where the accidents were constant, later only 80 km/h could be driven there, now there is a beautiful highway.
As far as the Thai is concerned, I never had and never had any problems with it, always been polite to me and helpful, still is.
The first time I was here for 5 months on a tourist visa of 2 months, was just extended at the Immigration in soi Suan Plu, costs 1-yes 1- baht for the stamp.
Later, someone at Immigration gave me a free 3-month residence visa and went there to collect my Thai driver's license in 1976.
I went out all night with Baht 1000 in my pocket and usually had 300 left when I got home in the morning. I sometimes had a taxi with me all night for 200 baht and it took me to places where there was something to do.
The Weekend market was at Sanam Luang where the Ministry of Finance was/is and where one had to get a Tax clearance certificate when leaving Thailand after a 90 day stay.
There were no mobile telephones, no Internet, 4 later 5 Thai channels on TV and on Thursday afternoon a foreign film was shown on TV from 2 to 4 pm.
It was also possible to swim in the sea in Pattaya back then, it was not yet polluted. There were tables with benches around them and with a thatched roof on the beach, people did not have to pay for it. the beach was quiet and few people on it.
@ Wim, the reason you were not helped when you were lying on the street after that accident is that if the police come, EVERYONE has to go to the station and make a statement and there is a risk that they will also be blamed . Can last all night. I experienced this when I was new to Thailand and wanted to stop and help in an accident on Sukhumvit. The Thais in my car went berserk and forced me to keep driving, because they said you're to blame.
Yes, a lot has changed, but that is also the case in the unsafe Netherlands that I would not want to return to.