An unrealistic comparison

The letter points to where Thailand is heading – the bad example of the Philippines. While there is some truth to this – such as endemic corruption and Manila’s traffic congestion and pollution – many things have changed in the Philippines in the past few years. Investor confidence has increased and the growth rate is among the fastest in the region. The middle class is increasing and buying power is at an all-time high. Bureaucracy has been streamlined and transactions with government offices have become more efficient. Bribery of petty government employees and police officers has also been minimised, if not eradicated. 

With a politically active middle class, desperate political conditions are being challenged and the huge wealth gap is being addressed slowly through opportunities for poor people. Corruption is being tackled seriously by the government and civil society. We are a country and people still struggling to repair the rot we experienced under the Marcos dictatorship.

The Philippines is not a poster child or an Asian tiger, but the people are not passive in accepting accusations that we are a pathetic country that Thailand will end up like if it doesn’t clean up its own mess. I lived in Bangkok for five years and I know where the reader is coming from. Thailand is no longer the paradise it used to be. Thousands of Filipinos work in Thailand and appreciate the efficient transport systems, safe streets and the cosmopolitan vibe of Bangkok. But some are thinking of moving back to the Philippines because opportunities there are increasing, the streets are safer and, of course, there is no place like home. For many, Thailand has become more expensive, the political situation has become volatile and the bureaucracy, especially for expatriates, is messy. So yes, maybe Thailand is heading for the worst, but comparing it to the Philippines is like comparing an apple to a banana. The two countries have different histories and a different political culture. 

Jofelle Tesorio

Amsterdam