Why Thailand is Thriving and Myanmar is a Mess

Hey there, Passport Bros.

Let’s talk about a couple of neighbors in Southeast Asia—Thailand and Myanmar. These two countries share a border, have similar geography, and even share some history. But while Thailand has become a hotspot for tourists and investors, Myanmar is trapped in a full-blown civil war. So how is it that Thailand is thriving, and Myanmar is imploding? What the hell happened?

Same Region, Completely Different Stories

It’s weird, right? Thailand’s doing great—it’s the 23rd wealthiest country in the world. That’s ahead of places like the Netherlands and Switzerland. Meanwhile, Myanmar is basically a disaster zone. And it’s not like they’re on opposite sides of the world. They share a border, have mountains, rivers, and all that geographic jazz. But Thailand’s killing it, and Myanmar’s crumbling. Why?

Geography Doesn’t Explain It

Both countries have diverse landscapes—mountains, rivers, fertile plains—but geography isn’t what sets them apart. Myanmar has the Irrawaddy River, which has been a lifeline for centuries. Thailand’s got the Chao Phraya River and some of the most fertile land in the world, not to mention tropical beaches that rake in tourist dollars. So, it’s not like one country got the short end of the stick in terms of natural resources.

History Messed with Myanmar More

Here’s where things get interesting. Thailand and Myanmar didn’t start out all that different. Both had powerful kingdoms, they were both Buddhist, and they both dealt with their fair share of conflict. But the 18th century hit, and Thailand took the high road while Myanmar took a nosedive.

In the 1700s, both countries were dealing with invasions and wars, but Thailand bounced back and modernized. Myanmar didn’t. Thailand managed to stay independent while Myanmar became a British colony in 1886. And colonialism didn’t just leave a few scars—it messed with the country’s entire political system, setting the stage for all the crap that’s happening now.

Colonialism: The Gift That Keeps Screwing You Over

The British came in, tore up Myanmar’s power structure, and left behind a mess of ethnic tensions. Myanmar got its independence in 1948, but by 1962, the military had taken over and run the place into the ground. You think Myanmar would get a break in the 2000s, but no—just when things were looking up, the military staged another coup in 2021. Now, it’s straight-up civil war.

Thailand’s Not Perfect, But It’s Figured Some Stuff Out

Thailand has had its fair share of political chaos, too—coups, protests, you name it. But the big difference is, Thailand always seems to find its footing again. A lot of that is because they avoided colonization, which kept their institutions relatively stable. Plus, they’ve got a king who’s played a big role in unifying the country. That, and they’ve been smart about opening up to tourism and foreign investment.

Tourism vs. Civil War

Before the pandemic, Thailand was one of the top tourist destinations in the world—8th most visited country, to be exact. People flock to Bangkok, the islands, the temples—it’s a money-making machine. Myanmar? Well, you’d be lucky to make it out alive. It’s a war zone. Thousands have been killed, and the U.S. government has a strict “Don’t even think about it” travel warning for Myanmar. Meanwhile, Thailand’s got open arms for tourists and digital nomads.

The Difference? It’s All About Politics

So, why is Thailand doing so well and Myanmar isn’t? It boils down to leadership, and how each country handled the cards they were dealt. Thailand avoided colonization and built a modern economy, even if it had to go through some political chaos. Myanmar got stuck with military rule, ethnic conflicts, and leaders more interested in staying in power than actually fixing anything.

What Can We Learn from This?

Thailand and Myanmar show us how two countries that are geographically and culturally similar can end up on totally different paths. Thailand found a way to use its stability and global connections to build something that works. Myanmar, on the other hand, can’t seem to catch a break—and it’s not just bad luck. It’s years of bad decisions, colonialism, and military power grabs that have led to where it is today.

That’s it for this edition of The Passport Bro Chronicles. If you’re into these breakdowns of global WTF moments, hit that subscribe button. We’ve got more coming your way. Until next time, stay curious, stay adventurous, and keep figuring out how the world really works.

Thomas Dean

The Passport Bro Chronicles