Thailand: The Preferred Destination for "Working-Class" Travelers

For a few years now, it’s become obvious that the typical tourist in Thailand is increasingly "mimile"—I see it every day. The issue is that Thais know how to adapt and are offering more and more things that appeal to this kind of crowd. That’s why we’re seeing more and more pizzerias and burger joints... Even hotels are proudly displaying up to 5 stars for places that barely deserve 3 by European standards, and this "working-class" crowd is over the moon, totally buying into it! In short, travelers looking to discover other civilizations and cultures might end up pretty disappointed.

It’s a bit of the discomfort we feel, since we can go. Still, I often think about those who can’t get away.

Hello,

What????? I’m leaving Europe and what do I find out??? Now the working class can afford vacations??? And in Thailand??? No, really, we’ve seen it all now... Where are we headed??

Anyway, it’s well known that the ''Mimiles'' are the working class’s thing.... 🤪 By the way, what do you mean by ''Mimiles''?

In any case, I’ve made up my mind—Thailand is out. From now on, it’s Liechtenstein or Gstaad for me...

Philippe

Wow In Vietnam, pizza costs me more than a rice-based dish—it’s way better, but I’m disappointed to learn it’s considered a working-class meal. Steak frites on the menu.

tourists in Thailand are increasingly "posh"

If I refer to one of your previous two messages and your crusade against intolerance, it’s quite a contradiction on your part with this word: "In general, tolerance, from the Latin tolerare, refers to the ability to allow what one disapproves of—that is, what one would normally reject" (Wikipedia)

That’s how we’re seeing more and more pizzerias popping up. In short, travelers looking to discover other civilizations and cultures might just end up disappointed.

I’m sorry to contribute to this decline. In 2013, we introduced spaghetti Bolognese (and other dishes) to a small village in Isan during a tamboon/wat—huge success! Many of the village cooks asked us for the recipe. Now it’s a staple in homes, of course with a few extra chilies added.

Wishing you all the best for 2018

Now the proletariat can afford vacations

What a scandal indeed! I’m outraged. What’s left for the rich then? Will they ever be left in peace?

"mimile"

"prolos"

Could you clarify how you define these terms?

For the past few years, it’s become obvious that tourists in Thailand are increasingly "working-class"—I see it every day.

And let’s not even talk about the Thai working-class folks who are themselves eating pizzas or "hambergers"(?) Workers of the world, unite—on your plates!😎

A "mimile" who can afford a vacation that far away is a "tuch"😛😛

Now even the working class can afford vacations

What a scandal indeed! I’m outraged. What’s left for the rich then? Can’t they ever be left in peace?

Poor rich folks: https://voyageforum.com/discussion/thailande-ile-koh-kood-video-d8362929/

The problem is that Thais know how to adapt and are offering more and more things that appeal to this kind of clientele.

Don’t worry, the Thais have already seen it coming: When’s the last time you saw Älplermagronen or cheese fondue instead of a mokata or pizza, huh? (the Nation)

There are also a lot of working-class Chinese travelers

"mimile"

"prolos"

Could you clarify how you define these terms?

, He’s the kind of guy who used to go on vacation to Palavas-les-Flots or Vendée, which actually suited him just fine. But now he travels to the other side of the world, acting the same way he did back home—where no one noticed among his peers—except now he also expects to find the exact same things as he had at home!

Now even working-class folks can afford vacations

What a scandal indeed! I’m outraged. What’s left for the rich then? Will they ever be left in peace?

It has nothing to do with wealth—it’s more about mindset ;)

This is someone who used to go on vacation to Palavas-les-Flots or Vendée, which suited them just fine, by the way.

Your description might match "mimile" to some extent. Not "prolo"—that becomes an insult in this case. And I think you're confusing them with "beaufs." And for that, it's not about money or standard of living. There are rich beaufs and poor beaufs, in roughly the same proportions, I don’t see why there wouldn’t be. But since there are more poor people than rich overall...

Though here, we’re not talking about "poor" people but likely those with modest incomes, because "poor" people don’t travel—they can’t afford it. "Real prolos" don’t go to Thailand; at best, they camp in their region when they can get away.

But now they come to the other side of the world, behaving the same way they did back home without standing out among their peers.

Again, don’t directly link "prolos" and "beaufs." Your condescending tone is borderline beauf, actually...

You're right, "beauf" is exactly what I meant. Thanks for the correction—unfortunately, I can't change the title ;)😏

The latest controversy with 1,000 messages of the year? 😄

Let's not bother responding to him. He's a jerk and, as such, dares to do anything. 🙂

He’s definitely having a great time. 😏

He hadn’t been back since April. We didn’t miss him.😡 Dumb controversy guy.

It’s clear that tourists have changed lately, and I’m also surprised by this new crowd that travels so far from home but feels so reassured by finding restaurants or hotels run by their fellow countrymen speaking—phew—in their own language. I sometimes check reviews of certain tourist spots in Thailand, and I’m always amazed when these travelers are in ecstasy and full of praise over a basic steak and fries or a pizzeria in a country that has so much to offer in its own cuisine. Yeah, we can call them *mimiles*.

+1 !!!

I was surprised in Pai to see people gathered in front of a TV screen watching a soccer match!!!

Traveling 10,000 km for that 🤪😞☠️

+1 !!!

I was surprised in Pai to see people gathered in front of a TV screen watching a soccer match!!!

Traveling 10,000 km for that 🙁🏴‍☠️

:)

Anyway, apart from that, you’re going to Pai.

You’ve got to understand it’s a really touristy place.

Thanks to your visit, it’s a tiny bit more so.

If you went to the village next door, you’d see Thai people—yes, really—watching soccer on a TV screen or on their Galaxy phone with a Manchester United case, knowing the latest Bundesliga results like the back of their hand... though maybe they’re just working-class Thais. Actually, we should ban working-class Thais and inauthentic Thais. Even those who speak English are suspicious.

It's great to go and see how Thais live, like watching soccer on TV for example😏, but you shouldn’t waste your time watching a soccer match on TV for that😏

but who feels so reassured to find restaurants or hotels run by their fellow countrymen speaking, phew, in their own language.

:) Don’t worry, it’s not like soccer. In the end, it’s always the Thai owner who wins and the German manager who loses. ++

It's really great to go and see how Thai people live, like watching soccer on TV for example😏, but for that, you shouldn’t waste your time watching a soccer match on TV😏

Yeah, that’s right. Did you figure it out too late then? Or were you able to make it 100 meters by lightly pushing off with one foot to get out of the comfortable current offered to visitors?

In short, travelers eager to discover other civilizations and cultures might just end up disappointed.

It’s the well-known issue with mass tourism and the problems it brings. Still, no one’s forcing anyone to stick to the beaten path and the usual mass tourism routes.

In short, travelers eager to discover other civilizations and cultures might end up just disappointed.

It’s the well-known issue of mass tourism and the problems it brings. But no one’s forcing anyone to stick to the beaten path and the usual mass tourism routes.

+1 Honestly, I’m back home today after a week in a ‘touristy’ place.

I saw plenty of people pretty happy to be on vacation here—despite the rain.

Lots of young folks. After this first trip, maybe they’ll come back and gradually move away from the pink, green, or blue stickers of tour operators that lead them to the same tourist ghettos.

+1 !!!

I was surprised in Pai to see people gathered in front of a TV screen watching a soccer match!!!

Traveling 10,000 km for that 🙁🏴‍☠️

What’s even more surprising is seeing so many "authentic" Thais—guys and girls—walking around or working every day in Manchester, Barcelona, or Paris Saint-Germain jerseys. Traveling 10,000 km just to have Thais, when they find out you’re from Paris, talk to you about Neymar and ask for tips on underground sports betting slips… at first, it’s a shock…

Thaïlande destination préférée des "prolos"

Sometimes contempt goes hand in hand with stupidity! 🙂

Bref, les voyageurs désireux de découverte d'autres civilisations et cultures risquent d'être que déçus.

So, you only go where the people you despise are? Try getting off the highway and taking the back roads—you might be surprised. Out of your 800 posts, more than three-quarters are about Thailand. Given that you look down on "prolos" and don’t seem particularly disappointed by this destination based on your many comments about the country, which category do you fall into? The stubborn ones? Or maybe...

At the same time, when you’ve witnessed football showdowns like Buriram United vs Chonburi, it’s easy to see why so many Thais turn to European leagues. A little compassion during this break!😎

+1 !!!

I was surprised in Pai to see people gathered in front of a TV screen watching a soccer match!!!

Traveling 10,000 km for that 🤪🙁🏴‍☠️

On the other hand, at 10 PM in Pai, what’s the alternative? Go to the local rasta bar to listen to the local Bob Marley butcher *No Woman No Cry*? Or to the roadside karaoke where the Thais might not be too smiley when they see a farang show up on their turf? Especially if they’re on their second bottle of Regency....

+1 !!!

I was surprised in Pai to see people gathered in front of a TV screen watching a soccer match!!!

Traveling 10,000 km for that 🤪🙁🏴‍☠️

On the other hand, at 10 PM in Pai, what’s the alternative? Go to the local rasta bar to listen to the local Bob Marley butcher *No Woman No Cry*? Or to the roadside karaoke where the Thais might not be too smiley when they see a *farang* show up on their turf? Especially if they’re on their second bottle of Regency....

Given all the activities to do around Pai during the day, by 10 PM I’m in bed.😏

+1 !!! I was surprised in Pai to see people gathered in front of a TV screen watching a soccer match!!! Traveling 10,000 km for that 🤪🙁🏴‍☠️

On the other hand, at 10 PM in Pai, what’s the alternative? Go to the local rasta bar to listen to the local Bob Marley butcher *No Woman No Cry*? Or to the roadside karaoke where the Thais might not be too welcoming when they see a *farang* show up on their turf? Especially if they’re on their second bottle of Regency....

Option: (web video/photo Obeo) https://youtu.be/NGtlIZn4A5I

It's clear that tourists have changed in recent years, and I'm also surprised by this new type of traveler who goes so far from home but feels so reassured by finding restaurants or hotels run by their compatriots speaking—phew—in their own language. I sometimes look at reviews of certain tourist spots in Thailand, and I'm always surprised when these travelers are in ecstasy and full of praise for a basic steak frites or a pizzeria in a country that has so much to offer in its own cuisine. Yeah, we can call them "mimiles."

Ecologically, these "mimiles" are also a disaster! We know that traveling, especially by plane, isn’t great for global warming, but on top of that, these folks only want to eat imported products! On Koh Tao, there’s even a store that now sells cheese, cold cuts, and wine—it’s like Renaud’s "October in the Hexagon": "...Their wine and their camembert, it’s the only glory of these crazy people..." There are even restaurants offering Marennes oysters for end-of-year meals when there are oysters in Thailand!

And here I thought it was the opposite—3-star hotels in Thailand almost deserve 5 stars in Europe. Switzerland, for example, has 98 5-star hotels according to Hotellerie Suisse, but only 42 are considered 5-star by Swiss Deluxe Hotels or international lists like TravelWeekly...

It’s true that with just 14 m² for a room or no 24/7 reception, a hotel can still be rated 5 stars by Hotellerie Suisse...

It’s clear that tourists have changed lately, and I’m also surprised by this new crowd that travels so far from home but feels so reassured by finding restaurants or hotels run by their fellow countrymen speaking—phew—in their own language. I sometimes check reviews of certain tourist spots in Thailand, and I’m always amazed when these travelers are in ecstasy and full of praise over a basic steak-frites or a pizzeria in a country with so much to offer in its own cuisine. Yeah, we can call them "mimiles."

Ecologically, these "mimiles" are also a disaster! We know traveling—especially by plane—isn’t great for climate change, but on top of that, these people only want to eat imported products! On Koh Tao, there’s even a shop now selling cheese, cold cuts, and wine—it’s like Renaud’s "October in the Hexagon": "...Their wine and their camembert, that’s the only glory of these nutjobs..." There are even restaurants offering Marennes oysters for New Year’s meals when Thailand has its own oysters!

It’s true, it’s unbelievable. It’s like Asians in Paris wanting to eat their own food, but no—they only go to restaurants serving cassoulet, choucroute, or Auvergne potée. In Chinatown, you won’t find a single imported product....

Hey

And I thought it was the opposite—3-star hotels in Thailand almost deserve 5 stars in Europe.

Guess Swiss hospitality is in such bad shape? A five-star in France has absolutely nothing to do with a three-star in Thailand, in any case! Personally, I don’t really care about stars—I prefer the ones in the Milky Way...

You’ve got to compare apples to apples—for example, an Ibis at 80 € and a hotel in BKK at 3,200 ฿.

You have to compare what’s comparable—for example, an Ibis at 80 € and a hotel in BKK at 3,200 ฿

I don’t know; I wasn’t comparing prices but the star ratings. An Ibis isn’t a 5-star hotel by a long shot!

It's true, it's unbelievable. It's like Asians in Paris want to eat their own food, but no—they only go to restaurants serving cassoulet, choucroute, or potée auvergnate. In Chinatown, you can't find a single imported product...

I have the same opinion about Asians living in Paris who can’t adapt to the excellent French gastronomy😏

Ecologically, these "mimiles" are also a disaster!

Negative criticism can be constructive, but it’s even more so when it comes with suggestions. I’m sure the "mimiles" would be totally willing to follow some of your tips, adopt some of your habits, or even visit your favorite spots. Any ideas?

And here I thought it was the opposite—3-star hotels in Thailand almost deserve 5 stars in Europe. Switzerland, for example, has 98 5-star hotels according to Hotellerie Suisse, but only 42 are considered 5-star by Swiss Deluxe Hotels or international lists like TravelWeekly... It’s true that with just 14 m² for a room or no 24/7 reception, a hotel can still be rated 5 stars by Hotellerie Suisse...

In Thailand, the star ratings are a total mess! Actually, it seems like only France has strict controls for awarding stars.

There are even restaurants offering Marennes oysters for end-of-year meals when there are oysters in Thailand!

LOL

Have you ever tried Thai oysters? Because honestly, they’re not great in terms of taste.

In Thailand, the star ratings are total nonsense! Actually, it seems only France has strict controls for awarding stars.

The criteria in France changed a few years ago. Overall, they’re pretty much the same across Europe now.

Some of them are a bit ridiculous (for example, a three-star hotel must now *mandatorily* have a TV; apparently, that’s more important than a room with a view or a minibar... And before the criteria changed, a three-star hotel wasn’t *required* to have toilets in every room, even though in practice, they all did).

There are even restaurants offering Marennes oysters for end-of-year meals when there are oysters in Thailand!

LOL

Have you ever eaten Thai oysters, because honestly, they’re not great in the mouth.

Yeah, often—I love them! But to get the quality, you’ve gotta pay the price since they’re more expensive than Marennes ;)

Ecologically, these "posh backpackers" are also a disaster!

Any negative criticism can be constructive, but it’s even more so when it comes with suggestions. I’m sure these "posh backpackers" would be totally willing to follow some of your tips, adopt some of your habits, or even visit your favorite spots. Any ideas?

Of course, don’t do what I’m criticizing them for ;)

Do you categorize older Westerners who strut around (so sure of their sex appeal) with young Thai women as "mimiles" too? 😉

Hey,

You mean, with several people? But it's paradise!