quote:

Adrian, I can see that you like to argue.

and you don't Marcus

Guilty.

quote:

Originally posted by IanB:
How many original wooden houses remain in Thai towns?

Probably more than there are wattle and daub houses remaining in British towns.

Do people want Thailand to be a progressive country or stuck in some sort of Disneyesque timewarp looking pretty for the tourists?

quote:

Probably more than there are wattle and daub houses remaining in British towns.

Do people want Thailand to be a progressive country or stuck in some sort of Disneyesque timewarp looking pretty for the tourists?

Well its clear what you want. If its old, knock it down! The point about wattle and daub is daft. Any Thai house over 50 years old will tend to be wooden. Wattle and daub is gnerally from several hundred years ago, and there are no Thai buildings surviving from that period other than a few heavily modified temples.

Take a look around Muang Bolan to see what was lost. Not the big and famous buildings, but the delightful houses and shops which were typical of Thailand as little as a fifty years ago.

Strangely, it is possible to develop AND retain what is good from the past, as the French have done most succesfully. Britain is hardly an outstanding example with our towns carmmed with chain stores and cloned pub chains.

I got a glimpse of the old Thailand when I lived there nearly 20 years ago. Even in Bangkok there were patches of real historic interest which have since been knocked down.

Maybe we should start a thread "Thai towns worth lingering in." as I am sure there are more than 2 . .

Ian

quote:

Originally posted by Noi & Nick:
Probably more than there are wattle and daub houses remaining in British towns.

Do people want Thailand to be a progressive country or stuck in some sort of Disneyesque timewarp looking pretty for the tourists?

Can't you have both?

Go to any town centre in England and you'll find - as well as the mistakes - serious efforts to preserve what is best architecturally and historically.

In fact, what remains of its built history and the way that current development takes it into consideration is one of the few things that Britain can still be totally proud of.

I've forgotten the exact figure but how many listed buildings are there in London? Thousands.

Take a look at Lavenham in Suffolk where the timber-framed houses are so exquisite that the local authority placed all electricity and telephone wires etc underground in order to not spoil the view of the High Street.

Look at all the massive efforts made at parish level all over the country to preserve local church architecture.

The list goes on and on, and none of it contradicts being a progressive country. In fact I'd say that looking after that which is valuable and beautiful from the past is a sure sign of real forward thinking.

Is that you Thad on the sun-lounger round the back?

Adrian, I can see that you like to argue. First you say you 'assume' that IanB was talking about Bangkok when he explicitly said that he was talking about small towns.
Then you said you agree that small towns can be ugly, but that the countryside is nice.
Now you seem to be saying that these ugly towns are nicer once you've stopped in them "for any considerable amount of time".

Marcus, this forum is about debates or am I wrong? Your posts actually sound more argumentative and personal such as "Adrian, that is the funniest thing I have heard all day" and this latest post. However, for your own sake I will translate a little for you so you can understand the points raised.

1. Look at my thread on Ian's comments on pollution and you will notice the words "assume" and at the end of the sentence a question mark. I was asking a question as I don't see town upon town of pollution. Ian replied and so the debate goes on.

2. Quote - "some ugly little towns by the face of them such as Chonburi and Sri Racha but when you go into the back roads they are actually very pleasant"
"The small towns do appear ugly but if you venture inwards many are very nice indeed."

Translated - Ugly little towns on the face of them but the backroads are pleasant. Not Ugly towns - Pleasant Countryside. I have not once mentioned the countryside in my threads.

I have never lived nor been to Sukothai and I am basing my debate (argument) on a broader range of Thailand than one city.

Speaks volumes..

Okay you chaps, you've made your points so time to put this particular element to bed ... can we go back on topic please?

quote:

Originally posted by Tobias:
Okay you chaps, you've made your points so time to put this particular element to bed ... can we go back on topic please?

Of Course we can

There is an underlying current within the Bangkok elite that they want nothing more than getting a few thousands tourists to come here for a couple of weeks, spend quite a bit of money and then ....... "go home, thank you" .... if you get thanked you are very lucky indeed.

Then there is the rural community that says "stay here as long as you like, it's good for us"

That may be an over simplification, but in essence that is what is happening.

I learned to twiddle my thumbs years ago .... now I just practice

quote:

Originally posted by Thaddeus:
Then there is the rural community that says "stay here as long as you like, it's good for us"

...as long as u keep spending ur money! there is a common factor!

ian.

quote:

Originally posted by ian canton:

quote:

Originally posted by Thaddeus:
Then there is the rural community that says "stay here as long as you like, it's good for us"

...as long as u keep spending ur money! there is a common factor!

ian.

No, not really.

At the start of this year, I created a business for On, she is for all intents and purposes completely self sufficient now, has the rest of the community shunned me? no... have they stopped smiling at me? no.. do the kids ignore me? no.. if you nuked Bangkok would anyone around here care? no.

Two totally different sets of people.

My experience of Thai hospitality is the same. The more "up country" you go, the more welcoming and honest the people you meet. What a fantastic country.

Ian