What a thing to say

If they have crapped up their country, and it is quite obvious they have, they have only themselves to blame.

So the Thai have "crapped up" their country! What a fascinating idea!

And we hyper-guilty Westerners never seem to step back and take a look at the map for SE Asia. I am talking here about Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam -- as opposed to Thailand, which has "crapped up" its own country. And I am suggesting that those who come to Thailand as self-anointed "change agents" in favor of socialism might please think about this at night. As another posting said, roughly: All Thailand needs to do (!) is establish universal health-care, education, and housing for its poor suffering people.

Well, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam all came under the White Man's Lash -- twice. The first time as colonies, and the second time as ideological colonies. All three were colonized by France, and then went through a long period of Marxist rule. The Buddhist monks were slaughtered, millions died, and I am very sure that the governments responsible were busily promising "universal health-care, education, and housing." For the nomenklatura first, of course, and then for those who kissed the ass of the nomenklatura.

Burma is hardly better off, being subjected to a self-styled "socialist" government which is completely horrible. Is it resisting "Western influence?" It sure is. It's busily expropriating and murdering its own Shan citizens: unarmed and terrified, they have been fleeing to Thailand in enormous numbers.

Just like all sorts of people from Laos...and Cambodia. They are fleeing to this country which has "crapped up" itself.

I suggest another point of view, a realistic one. Picture SE Asia as a tormented land, with Thailand as the happy kingdom where people still have their temples, and monks, and their culture INTACT. If you don't believe me, read the late Dr. Haing S. Ngor's memoirs of life under the Khmer Rouge, and his ultimate escape to Thailand.

I know we should never hang prices on anything, but still it is worth remembering (or knowing in the first place!) that Thailand's GDP per capita is about $US 8,000. Compare that figure with any of those Communist paradises. Or better yet, just go to Bangkok, and ask yourself if there is anywhere else in SE Asia where you could find such a magnificent city.

The Thai King saved his people from both horrors: colonialism and Communism. Does that count as "crapping up your country?"

Or does it sound like saving and preserving your country, so that your people can indulge in such minor things as Prada and Coca-Cola?

After all, the people who are changing Thai culture are the 60m Thai people living here. If you think that farangs are leading the drive for good medicine, you have an absurdly elevated idea of farang importance.

The Thai King saved his people from both horrors: colonialism and Communism.

I see you're a gullible consumer of the palace propaganda machine then?

The Thai King saved his people from both horrors: colonialism and Communism. Does that count as "crapping up your country?"

With these horrors past them Thais would at least be able to speak English and having gotten rid of the monarchy and its propaganda machine would have some freedom of thinking.

Back to the topic: The Thai guy making the xenophobic statement did probably not get enough money from the westerner who laid him :-) .

[Brad the Impala]

Back to the topic: The Thai guy making the xenophobic statement did probably not get enough money from the westerner who laid him :-) .

An insightful analysis..........of your perception of this country.

The law specifically protects the Thai people and their country from too much foreign influence, things like choice of work, participation in politics, land ownership, business ownership, are all limited to non Thai citizens. So Thai people blaming farang for the wrongs in their country don't know what they are talking about.

If on the other hand, the presence of many farang tourists (or Japanes, Chinese, Malay etc.) is a problem, I suggest Thailand to take measures and deny them entry. Surely the Thai will find a way to compensate for lost tourism revenue.

I bet the sex industry was brought on by farang as well

You're right Sjaak,
the OP is just crap and the statement of farangs ruining the Thai culture is just from the mouth of a very frustrated person who can't get a farang aka mobile ATM.
It's a bit like my response to Mercedes Benz owners: I don't like them and I think they're all mafia. Why? Because I can't afford one!!

[An insightful analysis..........of your perception of this country.

Please enlighten people same me that the contrary is true. I have been quite moderate with my statement. The fact that so many Thai people are poor and the reigning elite is selfish and corrupt may excuse their attitude regarding money.