IS THAILAND A 3rd WORLD COUNTRY.

[Prakhonchai Nick]

Following on from comments under another thread, and recent "shouts" I open this thread.

The following from    http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/third_world_countries.htm

__ Definitions

point  The term "First World" refers to so called developed, capitalist, industrial countries, roughly, a bloc of countries aligned with the United States after World War II, with more or less common political and economic interests: North America, Western Europe, Japan and Australia.





point  "Second World" refers to the former communist-socialist, industrial states, (formerly the Eastern bloc, the territory and sphere of influence of the Union of Soviet Socialists Republic) today: Russia, Eastern Europe (e.g., Poland) and some of the Turk States (e.g., Kazakhstan) as well as China.





point  "Third World" are all the other countries, today often used to roughly describe the developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The term Third World includes as well capitalist (e.g., Venezuela) and communist (e.g., North Korea) countries, as very rich (e.g., Saudi Arabia) and very poor (e.g., Mali) countries.
Below


Third World Countries classified by various indices: their Political Rights and Civil Liberties, the Gross National Income (GNI) and Poverty of countries, the Human Development of countries, and the Freedom of Information within a country.

[Paddyram]

IS THAILAND A 3rd WORLD COUNTRY ?

It certainly is for a large portion of the population.

[Prakhonchai Nick]

Entirely agree. Most village folk have very little - heavy debts and appear to be totally indoctrinated, by both the government and the Wats. In short they do what they are told (except when in their cars -those that have one!)

[isanbirder]

The definition you give effectively already classifies Thailand as Third World, so there's nothing much left for discussion!  We were doing much better on the other thread before you brought these definitions in!

[Admin]

The problem is in the finance system.
On the surface it seems like everything is going OK but its not because it is all run by borrowed money from loan sharks.

[Dave the Dude]

Sounds just like Europe, Admin!

[Prakhonchai Nick]

The definition you give effectively already classifies Thailand as Third World, so there's nothing much left for discussion!  We were doing much better on the other thread before you brought these definitions in!

These were NOT my definitions, but those of respected International authorities.

[isanbirder]

The definition you give effectively already classifies Thailand as Third World, so there's nothing much left for discussion!  We were doing much better on the other thread before you brought these definitions in!

These were NOT my definitions, but those of respected International authorities.

I'm not doubting the definitions, Nick, just that it was more fun discussing without them.

[Vombatus]

The definition you give effectively already classifies Thailand as Third World, so there's nothing much left for discussion!  We were doing much better on the other thread before you brought these definitions in!

These were NOT my definitions, but those of respected International authorities.

I'm not doubting the definitions, Nick, just that it was more fun discussing without them.

Nothing to stop us creating our definitions, IB. 


Thailand is a tapestry, or jigsaw, of so many contradictory and conflicting pieces. BUT, when you look at each one - look back to the UK (or your home country) 100 or so years ago to see if there are any comparables.

[Prakhonchai Nick]

It seems to me that within perhaps the next 50 years the tables will be turned, and much of Europe, especially the UK, will become 3rd world countries, ruled by the Moslems, with sharia law and all that goes with it.

Wives will not be able to collect their husbands from the pubs (not allowed to drive) and besides there will be no pubs, no alcohol, and no sanuk.

[Vombatus]

It seems to me that within perhaps the next 50 years the tables will be turned, and much of Europe, especially the UK, will become 3rd world countries, ruled by the Moslems, with sharia law and all that goes with it.

Wives will not be able to collect their husbands from the pubs (not allowed to drive) and besides there will be no pubs, no alcohol, and no sanuk.

So the Muslims are not making the same in-roads in Thailand ?

Have you seen how many mosques there are in Pattaya ?

[isanbirder]

The definition you give effectively already classifies Thailand as Third World, so there's nothing much left for discussion!  We were doing much better on the other thread before you brought these definitions in!

These were NOT my definitions, but those of respected International authorities.

I'm not doubting the definitions, Nick, just that it was more fun discussing without them.

Nothing to stop us creating our definitions, IB. 


Thailand is a tapestry, or jigsaw, of so many contradictory and conflicting pieces. BUT, when you look at each one - look back to the UK (or your home country) 100 or so years ago to see if there are any comparables.

Creating definitions is fine, not copying them from Wiki or wherever.  Personally, I think the whole First/Second/Third World classification is outdated, and Thailand doesn't really fit any of them.  As you say, it's a jigsaw, and your view depends on which direction you are looking in.

[Prakhonchai Nick]

And what part of Thailand you live in

[isanbirder]

It seems to me that within perhaps the next 50 years the tables will be turned, and much of Europe, especially the UK, will become 3rd world countries, ruled by the Moslems, with sharia law and all that goes with it.

Wives will not be able to collect their husbands from the pubs (not allowed to drive) and besides there will be no pubs, no alcohol, and no sanuk.

So the Muslims are not making the same in-roads in Thailand ?

Have you seen how many mosques there are in Pattaya ?

Many years ago, a Thai friend said to me, "Pattaya's a terrible place;  there are no wats."  You can hardly blame the Moslems for filling in the gaps.

I think people are too ready to blame the Moslems.  If we had been faithful to our own religion, Christianity, in the case of the West, or Buddhism, in the case of Thailand, the Moslems wouldn't have had a look-in.

[Prakhonchai Nick]

If nobody had any religion that would be the best!!!