My personal view about residing in Thailand.
1. Govt changing does not affect. Biz still goes on, school is still goes on, govt bodies still functioning. Only affect those who want to become govt to reap commission from mega project. Who care! Old boys Club till benefiting from PAP.
2. FDI still growing. GM, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Akebono, and many big MNCs still investing millions (USD) to build new factories, some even setting up R&D centers. At least do not have to depend on Casino biz.
3. Many alternatives during the rise in petrol price. Gashol 91, Gashol 95, E20, E85, LPG, NGV and of coures Bezine 91 & 95. At least do not need to sell my car to move on to public transport.
4. Daily necessities - Rice price increases....but domestic consumption is control. Still able to eat 25baht lunch/dinner with free tissue (even on road side stall) and sometime a cup of plain water thrown in. Not possible to have such "pamper" from any hawker centers.
5. Public Ulitities - Paying 1,500baht (est SGD62) per month with 2 x aircon running every nights, 2 x TV(5 hour daily), 2 x Fridge, 1x washing machine (Running 2 hours daily), my 2 x daugthers taking 2 hours shower daily with hot water. By the way, my daughters still go to Thailand public school.
6. Thai Govt provide free bus transport during peak hour for those ppls who might be hit due to the inflation cause by price increase of oil. You can say it is a populist "thingy" but who care...as the normal ppls is benefiting from it.
Yes, traffic is congested but you can chose not to go into BKK downtown.
7. Places on interest - Short holidays...plentiful options
a. beaches - Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Koh Chang, Krabi, Phangnga, Phuket, Pattaya, etc
b. Ancient places - Ayuttaya, Sukhothai, Ban Chiang, Pha Tam, Praert Hin Phi Mai, Prasert Hin Phanom Rung, Lopburi, etc
c. Cool mountainous areas - Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sae Long, Mae Sai, etc
Too many, cannot name all.....at least I do not need to get out of Singapore to do my holidays.
8. Need VISA to travel to other countries....yes abit troublesome....but i do not travel every month. So small problem for me!
9. Lastly....the thai ppls...they are the main reason why I find Thailand such a wonderful country!
My 2 baht worth!