Has Thailand lost it?

I get treated as a novelty when I walk to the market across the street. ;)

On the islands I don't doubt that cheap bamboo bungalows are increasingly a thing of the past.. Nobody else to 'blame' though than yourself, shared with the millions of tourists like you.

(Blame is probably not the right word; it's a natural and necessary progression.)

From my point of view, my personal lifestyle has developed in somewhat equal pace with Thailand. I LOVED my 80 baht bungalow on the beach in Ko Tao 16 years ago, but now with a wife and two kids, I kinda-sorta do need a bungalow with somewhat of a bathroom and air-conditioning, and a pool nearby would actually be rather nice.

At least dumping your lover in such a public way leaves her with more time to spend with me.

Don't listen to that thug, Thailand, I still love you.

Samara

However, if you are looking for fresh experiences and locals who treat you as a novalty, great prices, unspoilt views, untouched nature and unspoilt beaches then you have chosen the wrong country.
Really?
You're not confusing Thailand with some other country?

just so long as you don't bother with the south, which I never have, Thailand is still cheap. When you come from the Philippines or Malaysia and find yourself up north or in the northeast, staying in an airconditioned hotel with cable and a fridge, with a bike outside you're renting for 5 dollars a day, you notice the difference sharply.

Thailand basically is "developing into a country that scrapes the barrel to find customers - ever looking for the non-discerning "nouvelle-toutiste" class. They will always make some cash, but are already being looked on as the sleazy end of the market by the more sophisticated buyers in Europe, North America etc.
their fate will be the same as Spain.

Dominic77
Yeah, going since 94 and that's more or less what i'm driving at. Complete overkill. Too much of their economy is based on tourism, and maybe too much of themselves these days. I've done the North thing, it only really merits one good trip.

Out of a long old post about Thailand's lost soul, most have decided to comment on the weak pound. I didnt say its their fault. chill out. I am not aportioning blame I am just saying what is.

The Philippines has much much more to offer a beach bum or adventurer, diver, snorkeler, trekker,photographer or even shopper, and not much more expensive at all. But yeah, Manila is not a patch on BKK, and its more of a proper travel. Goa never offered the same allround game as Thailand, just that i am struggling with an alternative to Thailand. Still no suggestions?? Well, i guess if there was an alternative we would either be there or trying to keep it secret before it gets all unsustainable again.

"Too much of their economy is based on tourism, "

6% - too much???

Thailand's tourist eoconomy is slightly less than the UK's as a proportion of the total. Tourism isn't even their biggest foreign exchange earner. Exports of agricultural products and manufactures earn Thailand much more.

if you want to take a look at economies that really are dependent on tourism try Egypt (50%) or the Canary islands (90%).

their fate will be the same as Spain

I assume you mean a few coastal resorts catering to a particular type of visitor?

Most of Spain, like Thailand, is nothing like the Costa's or the more package tour orientated areas of Phuket and Samui. If there is demand for that type of environment then certain regions of every country will provide it.

Look at Blackpool, Skegness, the Italian Riviera, Cote D'Azur, Rhodes, Corfu

Doesn't mean the rest of the country is crap

"Prices creeping up, increasingly cynical people working in the tourist industry, increasingly developed and upmarket beaches "

It's called inflation, popularity and locals who are tired of whinging tourists who are too tightarse to tip.

"their fate will be the same as Spain"

Laughable, Thailand is 8-10 times cheaper than Spain.

Greece depends on tourism and their eco is down the gurglar.

Issan is untouristy, interesting, cheap, friendly people.

Amazes me people go to the tourist ghettos then complain :-)

Low season Thailand is awesome, few tourists even in the ghettos and 30-50% cheaper.