[StitlyDute]

For me you can't really distinguish between traditional (i.e. rural) thailand and modern Thailand is being real or not. One is more peaceful, the other has more money and a longer life expectancy, but they're both real.

I think the things that aren't 'real' are those created for tourists - the night bazaar along the street in Chiang Mai isn't a real representation of Thailand, because it's essentially a long line of shops selling souvenirs. You wouldn't say that the various souvenir shops in London, full of I Heart London merchandise is "the real England."

I guess real Thailand is more places Thai people go and things that they do every day, but even then it's a flawed definition.

I play it by ear - in most cases, the less white people around, the more real something is. If I'm 'farang kon diaao" it's probably pretty real. Except at the grand palace and so on.