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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2015 1:25:49 GMT 7
I spent the winter months at DCondo, at the bottom of Suthep Road in Chiang Mai. The condo was brand new, a lovely place and a lovely, quiet location. For a short while, I was the only farang in the complex - surrounded by middle-class Thais.
Every Friday would see an influx of the Bangkok Brigade - the same faces would show up mid-afternoon and disappear on the Sunday. By the time I left, I couldn't park my bike in the designated areas as the complex was overrun by 4 x 4's, Mercs, pick-ups' - and every one of them brand new or newish. I know a lot of people in CM who are raking in a fortune from the property market too - many own multiple houses, condos and commercial premises.
Okay, we are all aware that there is a river of debt pouring through Thailand, but I reckon there's something else afoot. The blossoming of a genuine Thai middle-class. Every stable country in the world can boast a strong middle-class, as they act as a good buffer between the excesses of the elite, and the degradations of the poor. Middle-class people always have an eye on the ladder pointing up, and a fear of sliding down.
Maybe that's what it needs for Thailand to break this cycle of chaos and corruption. |
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smokie36
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Post by smokie36 on Apr 8, 2015 1:29:07 GMT 7
I can't see a repeat of the chaos of '97....seems the new generation is here to stay....more's the pity for my pound!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2015 1:35:48 GMT 7
I can't see a repeat of the chaos of '97....seems the new generation is here to stay....more's the pity for my pound! Twenty-five percent of the houses bought each year in the UK are bought cash - no mortgage at all. Yes, there will be many Thais in over their necks in debt ( I've seen it ), - but there's many who are sitting on a pretty pile free and clear. |
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smokie36
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Post by smokie36 on Apr 8, 2015 1:41:40 GMT 7
I can't see a repeat of the chaos of '97....seems the new generation is here to stay....more's the pity for my pound! Twenty-five percent of the houses bought each year in the UK are bought cash - no mortgage at all. Yes, there will be many Thais in over their necks in debt ( I've seen it ), - but there's many who are sitting on a pretty pile free and clear. It depends what you call middle class....there must be a lot of Thais who have buy to rent properties in the cities who are now getting fat while swinging in their hammocks. |
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Post by professorfart on Apr 8, 2015 15:00:59 GMT 7
Defining socio-economic 'class' based on outward appearances, is a darned tough call, especially in Thailand/Asia given the emphasis put on 'face' and 'show' here.
I'd class the majority of my neighbours as 'middle class' but almost all live in rented houses as far as I know, most drive nice cars either company owned/provided or being paid for on the never never.
My classification would be made entirely on their professions and educational backgrounds, not their apparent wealth/status though I'd say they all have 'got a few bob'.
One of the wealthiest inhabitants of the street is a smashing tattooed Isaan lass who married a wealthy American who sadly passed away a few years since, leaving her a stack of cash.
Oddly, for a Thai whose background is clearly socially, educationally inferior to her neighbours, she isn't at all flash in her outward appearances though - if rumours and gossip are to be believed - she could comfortably outspend/outshine most of the other Thais (and Westerners) on the estate without flinching; though her modesty and lack of ostentation seem to keep her well liked, and respected in these parts.
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Post by rgs2001uk on Apr 8, 2015 15:36:18 GMT 7
My classification would be made entirely on their professions and educational backgrounds,
There are many of them what I would call land rich, bank poor.
If you go to Pattanakarn(where land can easily cost 100k per tw) there are people there sitting on land worth millions of $$$$, they make their living selling noodle soup, they have old skool thoughts about wealth and status.
I once asked one of them why they didnt sell up and retire, answer, the land value appreciates more than money in the bank.
Another woman I know in On Nut sits on land worth a fortune, she told me, she has nowhere to go, born and bred in Bkk lived in the local area all her life.
She dresses like a peasant, grows vegetables which she sells and eats catfish from her fish pond.
Another smashing old 82 year old woman I know has land all over the place, 20+ rai in Nakon Nayok, a 5 million baht property in Chaam, 2 properties in Bkk, she chooses to live in a single 3000 baht per month rented room, answer, small room easy to keep clean and near all her friends.
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smokie36
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Post by smokie36 on Apr 8, 2015 15:49:05 GMT 7
Funny thing I see in Pattanakan is the locals embracing the new burger place....I see 50/50 Thai and farang in there.
Yes they are not afraid to spend money....and many have houses paid off....on two decent salaries they can buy a house easy in ten years.
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Post by rgs2001uk on Apr 8, 2015 15:58:44 GMT 7
Go into any shopping mall in Bkk on a weekend, they are queuing up to get into these Jap/Korean food places that start at about 400 baht per head.
On a week day check out places like MK, ok not exactly HiSo but always busy.
Got to Paradise Park and go downstairs and see how full the eating places are, thats on any day of the week.
On a weekend head up to lets say Nakon Nayok, the Bkk locals head up there to stay in 2,000 baht per night resorts to escape the heat and humidity of Bkk, check out the cars they drive, clue, it aint some old beat up D-Max.
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smokie36
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Post by smokie36 on Apr 8, 2015 16:01:42 GMT 7
Check out the Marriott buffet any day of the week...at 1800 Baht before drinks its always busy.
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SirToad
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Post by SirToad on Apr 8, 2015 16:05:37 GMT 7
Same here , plenty of Middle class Thai visitors at weekend. My local eating spot, generally packed with brand new cars, not as RG says DMaxs. Big tables of food, an people enjoying the escapee from Bangkok
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smokie36
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Post by smokie36 on Apr 8, 2015 16:27:10 GMT 7
Pattanakan also has its share of social problems however....theft from cars and the occasional burglaries do happen.
So not everyone is burgeoning....still a lot of people living hand to mouth.
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