I tend to agree with you, Colin - that there are those who come here who may need a bit of "wising up" and even growing up.

That said, I also feel that always stressing the negative puts off the very people we need and want to come here.

I will admit I don't know much of Chiang Mai as I have never lived there and have only visited. I have lived in Bangkok twice before - but it is so huge I couldn't even begin to guess the overall trends there.

But, Phuket in particular, is attracting some very reputable people who intend to make a life here and to contribute to the community as a whole. I don't necessarily mean wealthy people - there are also many very decent people here of modest means (including me). People who aren't out in bars until sunrise and riding home drunk on their motorbikes. In fact, those old-style sexpats are finally and ever so slowly, being squeezed off the island. Good riddance.
Maybe they are heading up to Chiang Mai?

Anyway, in my short time here (almost seven years now) I have seen some excellent changes in Phuket. The days of the sex tourist are limited - more and more families are coming here and rents are becoming too high for the little sleazy bars. All very good signs that Phuket is growing up.

Yeah, not a haven for backpackers any more. But, what has happened is more and more upscale jobs for skilled Thais who can now make very decent wages as the upscale resorts fight for and find they must pay for the best people. Other great benefits? Resorts are realizing the best employees want TWO days off a week, no more songthaews hauling people to work - now the best places provide air-conditioned buses. How many young women now see that - Geez, maybe they can make more money working in a 5* spa than they could as a hooker?! Yeah!

All great things!

They take time, but they are coming. And I want to encourage those things that bring those positive changes. And those people that bring those changes.

But . . . that's just me.