Blogging from Bangkok

It's probably my fifth or 6th visit to this city in the last 15 years.

The first time I was here, there was a new sky way. Few metro trains as I recall. Now they not only have connected metro trains, they also have an efficient running subway. 
The first time I was here, there was only normal-sized airport. Now they have s gigantic one, serving as a hub to the world.
The first time I was here, there was the Forbidden city and the grand palace. It's still there with smaller palaces all around.
The first time I was here, the traffic was bad. It's still bad.
The second time I was here. there is Ms. Tiffany International with somebody from Bangkok winning. Now they have the cheapest rates for transgender surgery or whatever they call that.
The first time I was here, I saw 'c_nd_ms' displayed for sale in the streets early morning or late night. Now they still  do, and even have a restaurant designed using these 'gadgets'. Now it is also not unusual to see 'v__gra' along with it displayed in the side streets still.
The first time I was here, the currency exchange rate is Php1 is almost same Thai Baht (ThB)1. Now it's Php1.34 or Php 1.4 to Thb1.
The first time I was here, there's this posh MBK shopping center. Now MBK houses 'tiangges' that offer about anything you can find in Chatuchak or Pratunam.
The first time I was here, there's the popular 'Sampaloc'. Now they sort of dry or process all kinds of fruits, shampoos, beauty products, and export them.
The first time I was here, Thais are mostly Buddhist. Most probably still are.
The first time I was here, I don't hear about many OFWs or English teachers employed in Bangkok. Now Bangkok is attracting many Filipinos as English teachers or kindergarten teachers, etc.
The first or second time I was here, we tried 'thai massage' and were knocked out. Now 'thai massage' can be availed at in any major city in the Philippines.

It maybe some time before opportunity knocks again for me to visit this city, and I won't be surprised if in 20 or 30 years hence, they'll be considered a developed country. Whether it is because Thais love and are proud of their country and their king, or because they're using wisely their billion dollar earnings from their exports and their genius in packaging their tourist spots and usually 'peaceful' ambiance as soon as foreigners touchdown, or whether the legal prostitution and cheap surgeries are contributing big to this amazing Thailand or maybe a little of everything, fact is, they're doing very good as a country.

It is not like they don't have politics or corruption getting in the way in some ways or another. It is not like they don't have military rebels who disrupt their government through coup d etats or military takeover every once in a while. Or that they don't have big time corrupt officials who deplete government funds.

It's probably that always in the end, they seem to know what to do next and approach their problem and move as a nation to drift back to their normal 'drive for economic development' mode.

In many ways, I am envious of this country. In some ways, I pity them. Overall, it's always a pleasure visiting this city. But visit and short-stint workplace, yes. Living here for good, nah. Because Bangkok will still never be a place like home./Grand Mercure Fortune Hotel/07/12/2015.