Has TikTok and YouTube Changed the Vibe of Thailand for You?

[bucknaway]

For those of you who have made Thailand your second home (or new home), I’m curious to know—how has the surge of TikTok and YouTube content about Thailand affected your experience? It seems like there’s been a flood of videos promoting the idea that Thailand is cheap, cheap, cheap! From claims of USD 400/month for modern condos, $1 breakfasts or lunches, and $3 haircuts to promises of more sex than you can handle (with double the action if you’re open to ladyboys), they make it sound like a paradise on Earth.

The videos often paint a picture of Thailand as a carefree, ultra-affordable utopia, where smoking the popular drug is not only accepted but readily available in many varieties of selected crops. It's a druggies siren song for many viewers, advising them to sell it all, drop everything and move to Thailand.

When I watch these videos, I can’t help but think back to when I first experienced Thailand—before the wave of vloggers took over the "Land of Smiles" and flooded the internet.  I'm glad I was able to enjoy Thailand before TikTok and the video Vloggers.

So, for all you expats living in Thailand now, what’s your take on this? Are the vloggers bringing fresh energy to the tourism scene, or do they risk giving us all a bad name?

[bkkmfj2648]

2 hours ago, bucknaway said:

So, for all you expats living in Thailand now, what’s your take on this? Are the vloggers bringing fresh energy to the tourism scene, or do they risk giving us all a bad name?

I agree with your assessment that all of this exaggerated social media that uses "look how cheap it is..." as clickbait for more views is near its peak.

Often these vlogger digital nomads need more clicks in order to have enough monthly income to sustain their lifestyle over here.

I would also add 2 more annoying trends with all of this craze for social media:

1.) Attention deficit. When you are out with the local guys they are often more engaged with their social media feeds more than they are with you.  They just can't put it down or turn it off for some quality time together because they are addicted to the dopamine high.

2.) Now the social media requires that whatever we are doing (outside of sex) needs to be uploaded so that all of their friends and fans know what "exciting" thing that they are doing.  For example, we are not allowed to start eating until the meals are positioned in a way on the table for maximum appeal for upload. Only then when that process is completed can we begin to enjoy our meal.  Unfortunately, soon after the meal pics are uploaded come all of the likes and questions about where you are eating start to arrive that further interupt the meal.

I am now in the Philippines and this social media obsession seems to be less and consequently there is the ability to have more quality time together as you don't feel to be competing with the social media dopamine fix as much as back in Thailand.

[Ruthrieston]

I have never touched this social media nonsense and I have no intention of doing so. Watching families eating while the baby has a phone propped in front of him/her, the three year old has a phone on and the parents are both looking at their phones with no conversation at all is seriously bad for all of them. 

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

 

When you are out with the local guys they are often more engaged with their social media feeds more than they are with you.  They just can't put it down or turn it off for some quality time together

I must say it's not my experience , my friends and cousins over Christmas were more annoying in this respect than most boys I met in Thailand where guuys seems to reacyt well when I tell them 'leave that phone " if comes to it  

[floridarob]

4 hours ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

I am now in the Philippines and this social media obsession seems to be less and consequently there is the ability to have more quality time together as you don't feel to be competing with the social media dopamine fix as much as back in Thailand.

How are you liking it there...or will I run into a post here somewhere?

[bkkmfj2648]

5 hours ago, floridarob said:

How are you liking it there...or will I run into a post here somewhere?

I will be writing a new post in the Philippines section sometime next week, as I am only in day 5 of my 62 day stay here.

So it is still too early yet for me to make a fair assessment.

[bkkmfj2648]

10 hours ago, vinapu said:

I must say it's not my experience

You will only experience this if you live here full time and you are with the guys 24/7.

Your time here is limited, and your guys are with you only a set number of hours, so they can resist the dopamine addiction to social media until their contractual time finishes with you.

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

You will only experience this if you live here full time and you are with the guys 24/7.

Your time here is limited, and your guys are with you only a set number of hours, so they can resist the dopamine addiction to social media until their contractual time finishes with you.

I get it., makes sense .

Some readers of my trip reports may recall about two years ago I took guy from Pattaya to Bangkok for 4 days of vacations (for him) and he lasted only overnight. When in the morning I pointed out that when I'm awake he should drop his phone and pretend to pay attention to me, he just packed up, said ' wish you good luck"  and left.

Granted , it was extreme case of addiction and he cured himself of it when realized how much money he is forfeiting because his telephone and smoking habits. Last time I hosted him I don't think I even see his phone. 

[Olddaddy]

3 minutes ago, vinapu said:

I get it., makes sense .

Some readers of my trip reports may recall about two years ago I took guy from Pattaya to Bangkok for 4 days of vacations (for him) and he lasted only overnight. When in the morning I pointed out that when I'm awake he should drop his phone and pretend to pay attention to me, he just packed up, said ' wish you good luck"  and left.

Granted , it was extreme case of addiction and he cured himself of it when realized how much money he is forfeiting because his telephone and smoking habits. Last time I hosted him I don't think I even see his phone. 

You gave him another chance?😮

[vinapu]

10 minutes ago, Olddaddy said:

You gave him another chance?😮

yes, always will.

That's the guy who when covid struck instead begging his clients cup in hand got a job washing shoes in 2nd hand shoe store, just to stay afloat. I sent him some money alarmed by forum member about his dire situation even if we met only once before that. Two years later our paths crossed in soi4 and he recognized and thanked me , again even if we met once.

So yes I have soft spot for him and not only because his good look and elbow's shape. Two weeks after that unfortunate incident we met in Pattaya and made up. Saw him almost every trip ever since and God willing , will again. 

[bkkmfj2648]

6 hours ago, vinapu said:

So yes I have soft spot for him and not only because his good look and elbow's shape.

And I can vouch for @vinapu that this guy is truly very sexy, as I believe that I was with Vinapu during one of these encounters here in Pattaya.