I ive in an old apartment block around Fortune Town- a room costs 3900 per month. This is near the famous Thai entertainment venues. For the last few months residents, who are mainly Thai, have been falling behind in rents, so that this month the management are introducing a late payment system.

Now the block is old, services are poor, and the managers may even be in administration due to one of the sons running up crippling gambling debts, but nothing has changed that much.

So can't or won't pay? Do they look at the current problems and regard order as having broken down? ,ie, if a rable can make the cops look like fools then I can get away with a bit of rent. Or is it genuine financial hardship due to economic slowdown?

In an interesting microcosm in my view.

I am her since 6 years and always saw that and negotiating how much to pay so they don't need to leave.

As well buying cars, can't pay, having the hunters trying to find the car, etc etc....

With a financial slowdown this gets worse, no question, but it isn't a new thing.

So can't or won't pay? Do they look at the current problems and regard order as having broken down? ,ie, if a rable can make the cops look like fools then I can get away with a bit of rent. Or is it genuine financial hardship due to economic slowdown?

Down in Pattaya (near the entertainment "areas", many girls live 3-4 to a room and I often hear of one or more not having enough income to pay their rent that month, to the other girls have to or the apartment owner/manager has to make a judgement call as what to do. When those girls get "Customers" then it is their turn to pay.

I heard this from a Mamasan, (Who was NOT asking me for money to help out, just disussing the ecomoniv downturn)

But there are also those who dodge paying as they spend their money on drugs or "Image goods", rather than rent, then move on to some other sucker's place who believes their promises to pay.

I am her since 6 years and always saw that and negotiating how much to pay so they don't need to leave.

As well buying cars, can't pay, having the hunters trying to find the car, etc etc....

With a financial slowdown this gets worse, no question, but it isn't a new thing.

I guess the world over people live on the edge, and that's why recessions have such an effect. But, Thailand is just beginning to go in to the slump. So wwhat happens 6 months down the line!