Do we consider places that get over 40 million tourists a year like France or Italy spoiled? So why do we say Thailand is spoiled when it has roughly the same land area and population as France yet it gets only 5 million tourists per year?
Would those who consider tourism to be bad for Thailand but not for France, list the ways in which tourism is handled differently by the French than it is by the Thais in your opinion. This may point us in the direction of what exactly about tourism is killing Thailand.
Reply to this Environmental and
cultural/social issues in Thailand are merely a representation or reflection of what's happening in the world.
Environmental degradation,
cultural shift and
moral decay is happening in a global scale.
What's the cause of the destruction of the environment ? One can partly blame it on the tourism industry and globalization, but I'd like to iterate that a great deal of it is due to
greed on the part of big corporations and corrupt governments laxing on proper regulations.
Sustaining human existence, making life comfortable, pleasurable, enjoyable etc...etc...are the driving forces for mankind to manipulate its environment, create tourism/sex and other industries. With the current global economic crisis, predicting over 200 million worldwide new unemployed by end of 2009, it is mind-boggling to read on the news how business in brothels in Australia is still booming ! Although I also read last November how sex workers in Thailand are giving discount to stay afloat ! (2 for 1 boys !) 😉....speaking of moral decay eh !?
I wonder how many women end up in this line of business especially in developing countries with no social welfare, insurance, government bailout and support as the global economic crisis hits hard.
Looking back in history, ancient civilizations perished, cultures/traditions are lost and change. The world changes, people change. In fact, the only thing that is constant is change. We can call it
"progress" or future collapse of modern civilization. The million dollar question is, how can mankind change and live in harmony with the environment and other cultures?
Reply to this ......moral decay is happening in a global scale.
Is this really a reality. Increased human rights standards and awareness of these standards is surely progress, morally speaking? These standards are high and all countries are encouraged to incorporate the Human Rights laws into their constitutions.
.......globalization, but I'd like to iterate that a great deal of it is due to greed on the part of big corporations and corrupt governments laxing on proper regulations.
Which governments are responsible?
.....create tourism/sex and other industries.
Is that one more a womens rights issue, than a Thai one? Isnt prostitution the oldest profession in the world because women had little or no access to earning money in other ways. They still have less access to earning money than men do in many/all countries. Prostitution is one of the very few professions where women do not earn less than men do.
....speaking of moral decay eh !?
How long has the sex industry existed. It is more a continuous thing than a decay in my opinion.
Looking back in history, ancient civilizations perished, cultures/traditions are lost and change. The world changes, people change. In fact, the only thing that is constant is change. We can call it "progress" or future collapse of modern civilization.
If what is traditional lasts long after is has becomes inappropriate it become oppression. Stopping change and forcing adherenece to tradition is essentially oppressing. Isnt it progress when we avoid oppressing?
Reply to this Mell,
We don't seem to meet on the same wavelength. I can try to elaborate but I'm afraid we'll still end up where we started. However, I do agree on some of the additional information you've put forward. You seemed passionate about human rights issues and stopping oppression....and because of that we do have a common ground.
Cheers !
Jo
Reply to this I can try to elaborate but I'm afraid we'll still end up where we started.
No problem 😉 The comments I made are for everybody to discuss if they want, and not intended to pressure you to elaborate or anything you dont want to or feel like doing. 😊
Reply to this Tourism has bought various benefits to Thailand but it has bought the same amount of problems.If we take say, Patong Beach,then I'll put my view on what has happened.First visited in 1986 when devolopment was just starting and it still had a little of the charm of what it would have been like 10 years before.I think there may have been just the one big hotel.Over the next few years I visited occasionally,each time more tourists and more devolopment.Gone were the days when you could leave the'check-bin'on the counter and come back next day to pay.The local Thais saw all this,the falung with the money and the corporations with their dolloars and I guess they wanted a peice of it all.Could'nt really blame them as they could'nt go anywhere for a holiday,just to the local noodle shop for a bit of R&R.So over the years it's devoloped into just another Pattaya with all the hustle,crime etc. which is a great shame.A lot of Thais have done well out of it though and tourism has bought some benefits.
Added to this is the political problems where every politician seems to be corrupt.Not only politicians but government departments as well, so I guess some Thais see this as being normal to grab what you can when you can.
Having said this though I believe most Thais to be completely honest,especially where there is no western influence.These days I prefer to keep away from the tourist spots.
Reply to this Has anyone met any Thais who object to the developments happening in their country because of tourism? If so, what did they object to and what would they consider to be the solution?
If you are Thai, please comment on what you see as the positive and negative effects of tourism in your country. What do you see as a possible solution to the negative aspects?
Reply to this I'm reading a book at the moment called 'Video Night in Kathmandu' by Pico Iyer. Its from 1985 and he travels around Asia, musing on the effects of mass - and not so mass - tourism on the cultures out there.
Prehaps one thing i've gleaned from that is that all travel, contact and trade will change both parties involved, for better or for worse.
The hippies and backpackers of his days are in search of something spiritual and positive, even as they scratch around for the cheapest deals, while their hosts gain financially and culturally as well.
There's a 2-way trade in ideas, money and lives.
I guess the people who go on mass-tourism and resort holidays are not looking for anything spiritual or to give anything except cash in return for services, while the people who work in them are looking for the best job and reward. The system becomes a purely financial one, and i think this what people resent about the transformation of a beach 'community' into a 'resort'.
It seems to be the same arguments and problems in Pico Iyer's days as it is now... just the tempo has picked up with more international flights and communications. (Maybe a world-wide recession and higher oil prices will be good for our environment and our spirits?)
Would love to hear some Thais opinion on this
Reply to this ...or to give anything except cash in return for services....
I think this may be what pinpoints the difference between the effects of tourism on France and Thailand. Nobody would liken France to an old whore who has given up her true value for financial payments and now pitied by everybody.
So, who is responsible for the old whores fate? The whore herself, the pimp or the client?
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