| Warren |
Apr 2nd, 2002 07:38 AM |
General observations about Thailand- your thoughts?
Here are some general observations about Thailand I have developed after a recent two week visit: I am interested in other visitors thoughts- do you agree or disagree?<BR><BR>Thailand has a strong youth culture. Never see people over 30 working in the shops or any elderly people on the streets<BR><BR>Land of smiles? People generally pleasant but not overly friendly. Language part of the issue. No displays of emotion, touching or warmth between people. Little visiting noticed between Thais.<BR><BR>Shops are overstaffed in retail like most Asian countries. Most stores have many young women standing around waiting for customers. How can businesses afford such a huge staff standing around with little to do all day?<BR><BR>Thailand has a Shop house economy. Most business small and with few items. 99 percent of retail businesses are housed in cheap concrete buildings with tin roofs and no doors.<BR><BR>Television, radio and mass media weak in comparison to the US. No sign of American shows on Thai TV, unlike most of the world where American produced shows are dubbed in the local language.<BR><BR>There seems to be few recreational opportunities for the Thai people. Limited parks, recreation fields, movie theatres and golf courses. Shopping centers not popular with the locals, onlty the tourists.<BR><BR>Thai people seem uninterested in environmental issues. Lots of air pollution, litter everywhere, no landscaping, field burning not regulated, untreated water in canals and rivers.<BR>Limited mass transit.<BR><BR>Outside of Bangkok, cities have few substantial buildings. Mostly tin roofs and concrete block construction.<BR><BR>Thai people generally lack emotion, at least in public. Hard to believe the Greek people and Thai people share the same planet! Thai's display little enthusiasm. No raised voices, anger or passion observed by any Thai.<BR><BR>The Thai people are slightly built. No one is athletic looking, tall or overweight.<BR><BR>Thai cities are not good for walking. Sidewalks are narrow and filled with food carts, sleeping dogs and potholes. Streets are difficult to cross because there are no walk signs.<BR><BR>No boundary line between residential and commercial areas. Shop houses and office buildings are put next to run down single family homes.<BR><BR>Service levels in Bangkok hotels very high. Outside of Bangkok just average. More smiles in Bangkok, believe it or not.<BR><BR>Touts and hawkers not bad compared to other places in asia. Tuk Tuk drivers will ask you but they do not follow you.<BR><BR>Walking around Bangkok is exhausting. Lots of pollution, exhaust smells, loud scooters and no crosswalks or stop signs.<BR><BR>Most tourists to Thailand are from Europe or Japan. Few Americans to be seen and NO blacks or Hispanics.<BR><BR>Very few Thais dress fashionably. No trendy hair styles or clothes. Simple clothes and no shorts.<BR><BR>Massage parlors everywhere. Price is low.<BR><BR>Too many businesses of the same type help keep prices low. Too many Internet cafes.<BR><BR>Thailand culture and business orientation towards the "shop house model, will limit economic growth in the country.<BR><BR>
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