Taxi drivers who refuse to use the meter. We quickly found out that if they refused, we just got out and found another one. The amount of tailors is another annoyance. In Ao Nang there must be one every hundred yards at least and their banter to try and get you in their shop is very tiresome...

Yes I found the tailors in Ao Nang tiresome. One guy had a right go at me when I said (very politely I hasten to add) that I was not interested. I was kind of suprised because I've never had any hassle from shopkeepers in Thailand before (having said that he was not Thai).

The pace and quality of development. How that sweet little resort you went too has changed within two years into just another Thai resort - a kind of mini version of Patong.

For me, Sunbear, you have hit it on the head. Not only the pace and quality of development (is Thailand the new Spain?) but the associated greed.

Never forget the ex-pats either. They've travelled to SE Asia, found their piece of 'heaven' - friendly people, gentle culture - and then proceed to do what they can to turn the place into a mini England (or Sweden or wherever). Irish bars, full English breakfast, Big Mac.

That being said there are, fortunately, still great places to visit - and Bangkok is still, for me, one of the most vibrant cities.

Peter

I've been trying hard to think of something that annoyed me about Thailand and have had difficulty. I know what you mean about development though- I haven't been to Bophut in KS for 2 years and may not return as I am seeing loads of development springing up.
Probably the most annoying thing is the Bangkok traffic. Nothing is more frustrating than the journey to the hotel after a long haul flight- you see your hotel in the distance and it takes half an hour to reach it!

Never forget the ex-pats either. They've travelled to SE Asia, found their piece of 'heaven' - friendly people, gentle culture - and then proceed to do what they can to turn the place into a mini England (or Sweden or wherever). Irish bars, full English breakfast, Big Mac.

This is so true...I've seen this happen on Kata(favourite Thai beach restaurant became a burger joint), Ao Nang and its even happening at Khlong Muang on Krabi, went back to find an Irish bar had opened...no one in it though. Mind you this is true of so many resorts in the world...I've seen it in the Algarve and Spain, the Greek Isles and Cyprus so theres no reason why Thailand should be immune.

A Thai in Ao Nang was telling me that many Europeans don't like their food spicy and most restaurants had adapted to that fact...might explain why I was having trouble last time in Ao Nang finding a decent Thai restaurant.

My policy is never to return to the same area (I make exceptions for cities, one expects them to grow and develop). I went to Phi Phi many years ago and returned the year before the Tsunami for a quick visit. The changes were incredible and not for the better.

might explain why I was having trouble last time in Ao Nang finding a decent Thai restaurant

This is still the case, unless you eat at the stalls and roadside cafes. We really found it hard to get spicy food and when we asked for it, the staff looked at us in amazement and then all waited to watch my reaction as I ate it

Crossing the road in Bangkok can be something of an adventure (wheres a traffic jam when you need one). Once spent ages trying to cross New Petchaburi Road...gave up in the end.

crossing the road- forgot about that one. Why do they have traffic lights- they don't appear to pay any attention to them