Expats made to feel welcome!

[TBWG]

Hi

On passing through Kuala Lumpur airport recently I noticed that they have 3 different immigration queues, the usual National passport as well as the foreign passports and also a lane marked  Expats Malaysia 2nd home.

I thought that was a nice touch and makes one feel appreciated! What chance Thailand follows suit. Nah!

My taxi driver who spoke perfect English and would put any Thai English teacher to shame said all Malaysian children start state school at 6 and are taught English from day 1, also if the child does not attend school the parents have a visit from the police to establish why.   

Somehow all the Thai school kids I see bunking out of school and "relaxing" are in for a very rude awakening come Asean 2015, shame really they deserve more from the system and parents who are also entrenched in the relaxing culture.

Coming back to Bangkok really was an eyeopener and shows just how far Thailand has stagnated in the region.

TBWG

[John the Traveller]

Nice to see the Malaysians recognizing the contribution expats make to their country TBWG. Your right it will be a Frosty Friday in Bangkok before we see a similar queue in "Swampy" !
JT

[nookiebear]

Never see it in our lifetime!

[tonypace01]

Okay, you have compared countries and education systems. Now, would you like to compare expats? And do not gauge the character of the expats in Thailand on what you see in Isan, but think Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. Hell some of those people are here because they are not welcome in their country.

[CO-CO]

Okay, you have compared countries and education systems. Now, would you like to compare expats? And do not gauge the character of the expats in Thailand on what you see in Isan, but think Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. Hell some of those people are here because they are not welcome in their country.

Don't blame the quality of the expatriates on the host's inability to progress and present a feeling of welcome. Neighbouring countries have embraced the ASEAN principle far better than Thailand.


What would you define 'quality'.

To an extent Thailand reaps what it sows.

[nookiebear]

Very well put Ray

[tonypace01]

The decadence enjoyed by expats in Thailand is made available on the same basis as drugs in the illegal narcotics industry. If someone wants something badly enough and is willing to pay the price, someone else will provide it, no matter the moral cost or risk to the provider. It is not the drug dealer who perpetuates the drug industry. It is the user. Eliminate the dealer (supply), two will replace him. Eliminate the user (demand), and you eliminate the industry. Economics 101. Thailand does not sow decadence, it simply provides a poverty rich soil that nurtures it. Without the influx of party-town expats, Thailand would be no more decadent than any other country (See Nevada, USA: Kalinaki Square, Athens; Funf Mark Platz in any major German City, the main train station and the Coliseum in Rome, Amsterdam, Soho, etc...) Like post war Europe, Thailand is a country under occupation, a culture in a survival mode. And survival trumps morality every time.

[CO-CO]

The decadence enjoyed by expats in Thailand is made available on the same basis as drugs in the illegal narcotics industry. If someone wants something badly enough and is willing to pay the price, someone else will provide it, no matter the moral cost or risk to the provider. It is not the drug dealer who perpetuates the drug industry. It is the user. Eliminate the dealer (supply), two will replace him. Eliminate the user (demand), and you eliminate the industry. Economics 101. Thailand does not sow decadence, it simply provides a poverty rich soil that nurtures it. Without the influx of party-town expats, Thailand would be no more decadent than any other country (See Nevada, USA: Kalinaki Square, Athens; Funf Mark Platz in any major German City, the main train station and the Coliseum in Rome, Amsterdam, Soho, etc...) Like post war Europe, Thailand is a country under occupation, a culture in a survival mode. And survival trumps morality every time.

You are applying a western appraisal where none is required.


If you are applying the definition of decadence as the "moral or cultural decline as characterized by excessive indulgence in pleasure or luxury" then you are overlooking one very important fact - Thailand has few morals where many activities are concerned. The sex industry has been serving Thais for centuries - expats are only a relatively new addition to the supply chain. Culturally, Thailand has been happy to trade tradition/culture for the Baht/Dollar/Yen.

Somewhat dramatic to say that Thailand is under occupation and in survival mode. The country would argue that it has never been occupied by anyone - leave of all expats - and far from surviving, it's financial development makes it a leading player in South east Asia. That's what the Thais would say.

I would repeat, Thailand has long-since created it's own seed-bed and in the last 50 years it has just made it bigger.

[nico]

Last time i came to Thailand me and missus both came trough Thai passport line. She went firs and said this is my husband, so everything ok if traveling whit your wife. Other lines were very long but i get trough fast .

[nookiebear]

Last time i came to Thailand me and missus both came trough Thai passport line. She went firs and said this is my husband, so everything ok if traveling whit your wife. Other lines were very long but i get trough fast .

Its been like that for as long as I can remember....Even if you're not married but travelling with your lady you can go in that queue,no problem

[DeputyDavid]

Same in America, TW comes with me in the US Passport line, no questions. I just advise we are together and there is no problem.