I would think the BIP in the german language should be the equivalence to the english GDP -(gross domestic product)
Yes, Thailand is doing very well financially now.
It's rated as no. 93 in the world factbook with $ 8.100 GDP per capita.
Thailand - the new Spain
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dr dave soul monsta
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To echo Norseman's reply add to add my own bit.
Both countries benefit heavily from tourism.
Both countries have a large (mainly, relatively wealthy) ex-pat community. I mean relatively wealthy as opposed to the extremely large ex-pat communities in Britain, and many other countries in Northern Europe and North America who are, relative to the local population, very poor.
It is not easy to compare Thailand with Spain, however the comparison is valid. Maybe some of the mistakes made in Spain before their entry into the EU could be avoided here in Thailand.
I very much doubt it though.
Both countries benefit heavily from tourism.
Both countries have a large (mainly, relatively wealthy) ex-pat community. I mean relatively wealthy as opposed to the extremely large ex-pat communities in Britain, and many other countries in Northern Europe and North America who are, relative to the local population, very poor.
It is not easy to compare Thailand with Spain, however the comparison is valid. Maybe some of the mistakes made in Spain before their entry into the EU could be avoided here in Thailand.
I very much doubt it though.
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malcolminthemiddle
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Thailand the New Spain?
Thailand the New Spain?
If you mean as a favoured location for foreign retirees from Europe and beyond due to the weather and cost of living, Thailand already is.
If you mean as a favoured location for foreign retirees from Europe and beyond due to the weather and cost of living, Thailand already is.
Dave,
I think, in particular, that Jaime's original point is valid:
Fortunately there are enough differences, still, to make Thailand attractive.
However, with regard to cost, the extra cost of flights from Europe can easily be re-cooped in a two week package tour (over Spanish costs) by the savings on accommodation, food and entertainment. The packages being offered in the UK are very attractive options, price wise, to a similar standard of package to the Canary Islands. Many of the people who are travelling now, apart from wanting the overall appearance of 'somewhere different', expect Western food, Western style accommodation and Western standards. Many would not really know (or care) if the beach that they were on was Chaweng or Corralejo (except that Thailand sounds more exotic than Fuerteventura).
In order to cater for these things, the Thai people learn quickly. You could argue that the nightlife, for which Bangkok and Pattaya are famous, was only brought about by the 'requirements' of US servicemen in the late 60s, early 70s.
Personally, I hope that Thailand learns from the mistakes elsewhere. Coastal Spain has lost the 'Spanishness' that appealed to many.
'Progress' cannot be halted. It is only natural and correct that the Thai people want a better income and a higher standard of living. To me, however, it is a shame that there is a particular emphasis in tourism - an industry that, in general terms, exploits cheap local labour whilst siphoning off very heavy profits to large corporations or conglomerates and their shareholders.
I await the onslaught.........
Peter
I think, in particular, that Jaime's original point is valid:
Add to this cheap fares from the UK, the over development of coastal regions (particularly in the style of the Hilton which I believe was originally the Melia - a Spanish company) and the crass entertainment - and there are parallels which can already be drawn between, say, Samui and Ibiza, - including greed!I have heard it said that in holidaying terms, Thailand is the new Spain and I used to think of Spain as a land of smiles - but not any more. I see some parallels in the way tourists are starting to be dealt with in Thailand - fewer smiles, higher prices. I sense some overt resentment of the farang is creeping in too."
Fortunately there are enough differences, still, to make Thailand attractive.
However, with regard to cost, the extra cost of flights from Europe can easily be re-cooped in a two week package tour (over Spanish costs) by the savings on accommodation, food and entertainment. The packages being offered in the UK are very attractive options, price wise, to a similar standard of package to the Canary Islands. Many of the people who are travelling now, apart from wanting the overall appearance of 'somewhere different', expect Western food, Western style accommodation and Western standards. Many would not really know (or care) if the beach that they were on was Chaweng or Corralejo (except that Thailand sounds more exotic than Fuerteventura).
In order to cater for these things, the Thai people learn quickly. You could argue that the nightlife, for which Bangkok and Pattaya are famous, was only brought about by the 'requirements' of US servicemen in the late 60s, early 70s.
Personally, I hope that Thailand learns from the mistakes elsewhere. Coastal Spain has lost the 'Spanishness' that appealed to many.
'Progress' cannot be halted. It is only natural and correct that the Thai people want a better income and a higher standard of living. To me, however, it is a shame that there is a particular emphasis in tourism - an industry that, in general terms, exploits cheap local labour whilst siphoning off very heavy profits to large corporations or conglomerates and their shareholders.
I await the onslaught.........
Peter
Dave, if you really believe that there are no comparisons whatsoever to be drawn between two countries with rural economies, significant illiteracy rates and large distribution of wealth disparities; countries that also rely so heavily on foreign tourism and which have burgeoning ex-pat and foreign retiree populations - and all that goes with that - then you are deluding yourself. You are part of a process of change that is taking place, as am I and most others who use this board. Some of the negative effects of this change have already made some parts of coastal Spain a less attractive destination for many. PeteB summs them up pretty well - crass entertainment, greed, over development etc. Spain was one of the two or three poorest countries in western Europe after the second world war, enduring genuine poverty, mass illiteracy and even starvation. Mass tourism ended its insularity, enabling it to drag itself out of that predicament and into the EU, from which point it has milked all the subsidies on offer. In the space of fifty years it has become amongst the richest nations in Europe. Of course, the scabby dogs have gone for the most part in Spain because they are 40 years ahead of Thailand and that, in turn, is why Thailand still has its charm. However, as PeteB says, people learn fast - especially when the chance to dramatically better your existence in a very short space of time arrives on your doorstep. They did in Spain and they will in Thailand. That was really my original observation.Dr Dave wrote:how any body could even begin to compare Thailand with spain is beyond me
there are no coparisons what so ever
I understand that the comparison between Spain and Thailand may be an uncomfortable one for many, who believe they have found a more exotic and authentic destination far away from what they perceive to be the 'egg and chips' tourism of the Spanish Costas but the threads on this forum in the 'Feeding Time' section belie the move in that direction that is already happening, at least in Hua Hin.
I also have to be honest here and say that the thing that I liked most about Hua Hin when I first visited was its similarity, in comparison to other Thai beach resorts I had visited, to Spanish beach resorts!
Of course, the main difference between these two tourist destinations is that when Spain became a really popular tourist destination it was being run by a dictator......
I just re-read that and it seems rather curt! I think I should have at least added 'with all due respect' in there somewhere. Dave, apologies for any nose-putting-out-of-joint that may have occurred if you read my last post!Jaime wrote: Dave, if you really believe that there are no comparisons whatsoever to be drawn between two countries with rural economies, significant illiteracy rates and large distribution of wealth disparities; countries that also rely so heavily on foreign tourism and which have burgeoning ex-pat and foreign retiree populations - and all that goes with that - then you are deluding yourself.
Cheers,
Jaime
Jaime
Am with you all the way,the only point that you failed to comment on in your comparison between Spain and Thailand is the huge amount of people who come out on holiday and believe they can make a living running a bar or trying to start a business.I drink with many failed bar/guest house owners on my visits to Hua Hin whom i knew from bars 3/4 years ago.The only subtle difference is that in Spain you needed a Spanish partner,always male and in Thailand everyone goes for a female partner whose only experience in that trade is that she previously worked in a bar herself.Ultimate result however was usually the same but I will add tht some people did manage to scratch a living together but not often
Digger
Am with you all the way,the only point that you failed to comment on in your comparison between Spain and Thailand is the huge amount of people who come out on holiday and believe they can make a living running a bar or trying to start a business.I drink with many failed bar/guest house owners on my visits to Hua Hin whom i knew from bars 3/4 years ago.The only subtle difference is that in Spain you needed a Spanish partner,always male and in Thailand everyone goes for a female partner whose only experience in that trade is that she previously worked in a bar herself.Ultimate result however was usually the same but I will add tht some people did manage to scratch a living together but not often
Digger
ting-tong wrote:
Many Brits, Swedes and other European's are moving from Spain to Thailand. Some British run estate agents based in Spain are dedicating part of their offices to Thailand properties as well as Spanish.
Basically all the ex-pats from Spain I have spoken to have said the following:
1) The cost of living in Spain now is too high.
2) The resorts are too built-up and trashy (fish and chips shops on every corner etc etc)
3) The weather is hot all year round here as opposed to Spain.
4)They can cash in their 200,000 Euro villas and buy the equivalant here for 70,000 Euro's.
Adios Burger.
There a huge numbers of Swedes moving to Hua Hin, they are buying through real estate agents here though, as opposed to Swedish real estate agents.Last year (2005) , Swedish real estate agents sold 250 properties in Thailand.This year they are expecting to sale 200.
Many Brits, Swedes and other European's are moving from Spain to Thailand. Some British run estate agents based in Spain are dedicating part of their offices to Thailand properties as well as Spanish.
Basically all the ex-pats from Spain I have spoken to have said the following:
1) The cost of living in Spain now is too high.
2) The resorts are too built-up and trashy (fish and chips shops on every corner etc etc)
3) The weather is hot all year round here as opposed to Spain.
4)They can cash in their 200,000 Euro villas and buy the equivalant here for 70,000 Euro's.
Adios Burger.
The major problem is that you can't sell your 200,000 euro villa in Spain.
There are 8,000 properties for sale on the Costa Del Sol. One agent alone will have 3,000 two bedroom apartments on the books.
It costs 10% in taxes etc. to buy then 35% capital gains tax on any profit should you be remarkably lucky enough to sell.
The half of the Costa that's not for sale is for rent.
I suspect that the people with enough 'get up and go' to move to Spain and lucky enough to flog their leaky villa will enjoy Thailand for all the right reasons.
There are 8,000 properties for sale on the Costa Del Sol. One agent alone will have 3,000 two bedroom apartments on the books.
It costs 10% in taxes etc. to buy then 35% capital gains tax on any profit should you be remarkably lucky enough to sell.
The half of the Costa that's not for sale is for rent.
I suspect that the people with enough 'get up and go' to move to Spain and lucky enough to flog their leaky villa will enjoy Thailand for all the right reasons.
The locals seem to find ways to mitigate the effects of this by basically lying about how much they are selling for. The difference between the declared and the real sales value is usually recouped by the vendor in 'black money' as you probably already know. But as you say it is expensive if, like most honest Brits, you don't know how or don't want to buck the system.mil_dos wrote:It costs 10% in taxes etc. to buy then 35% capital gains tax on any profit should you be remarkably lucky enough to sell.
Probably right - but they will still get a leaky villa, same-same everywhere!mil_dos wrote:I suspect that the people with enough 'get up and go' to move to Spain and lucky enough to flog their leaky villa will enjoy Thailand for all the right reasons.
