I think the two of you have hit the nail on the mark. Rural Thailand is dying on its feet. The rice growing and cultivation is predominantly the domain of the older generation, many now in their 60's and 70's that are still farming the lands. Once the older members can no longer farm the lands they are, the paddy fields that is, sold off for a fast buck by the younger generation. The younger generation does not want to know. There is better and easier money to be made in the towns and the cities. I agree, rural Thailand is in its death throes and will soon be a thing of the past.
Our view (from outside the box) is based on western experience, and the feeling that there is always a need to make changes in the way that our economies work - greater efficiency through more mechanisation, reducing labour requirements, speedier production, all at the expense of the common man - whether he be one of the redundant workers or the end product's purchaser who sees price escalation as a major consequence of the new process method.
Back home, half a century and more ago, we bought most consumer items from local shops where service was always provided. Then came self-service instead, and with it a reduction in staffing needs - but prices still went up. The likes of Kwik Save opened supermarkets, selling food products as cheaply as possible out of cardboard boxes stacked on wooden shelves. Shoppers abandoned the corner shops in favour of self-selection and lower prices (and to hell with the appearance of the shopfittings.) Then along came the Tescos and Sainsbury's etc., with their wider aisles, fancy gondolas, smart flooring and décor, and that appealed to shoppers seeking change (and the vanity of shopping in a style that was more upmarket than their neighbours still used.) Kwik Save went into administration. Several times, to be reincarnated under different banners. Eventually, all the shops had to adopt the smart, new look, which came at a price - and had to be upgraded regularly lest they lose their appeal to the competition. The roundabout spins ever faster... The business owners ask how they can make more money to pay for all the "improvements" and wonder if they can ditch more staff. So we see the introduction of self-service check-out points... scan your own purchases, and the check-out operator loses his/her job. The technology costs more than the redundant worker's payoff, and the customer faces ever-higher prices that many can't afford (some of whom used to be check-out operators???) and some of those turn to the growing numbers of food banks in the UK... Where does it all end? Who is the winner in that process of evolution?
Not all stores close of course. Aldi and Lidl are thriving (on the basis of selling cheap.) So Tesco try to emulate them with a more basic experience of shopping at their new "Jacks" chain, just starting now. Cheapjack, maybe. Good for the shoppers if it does, but the owners will care more for profit and dividends to shareholders than the price of butter or margarine on the shelves.
The same happened with the old haberdasheries, tailors, and furniture shops seen in every town in the past. Along came the department stores such as Debenhams, Lewis's, BHS, and other "glossy" marques. But look at them now! Oh sorry - you can't as many have closed down - and others (such as Debenhams this week) are in their death throes.
I do wonder if all the corner shops would still be there if it wasn't for "innovation." As for "bigger is better" whether that's in farming, or in retail stores, the message is the same.
