Bars And Shops Closing

[aromsia]

Not only are places closing, but people are clearly feeling the pinch. My friend had a run in with one of those tourist survey people outside Robinsons. "FXXX you" she shouted when he refused the survey. Great that'll bring the tourists back in droves. Then there was the 'hostess' who rounded of some guests for not spending enough. Just makes matters worse.

The thing is even when the going is good Thais manage to foul up, so who knows what's going to happen now?

Interesting - I had a similar experience in lower Suk the other day. I was walking through the alleyway that connects Soi 5 and 7 (coming from Foodland) carrying my shopping. I had the usual 'massage sir' offers by a couple of the women...and when I didn't respond I got a response of "thanks for smiling". Don't think I was - just doing the usual ignore thing - not huffy or pushy - just normal.

Doesn't mean people are getting nasty - but maybe frustrated as the number of tourists is really, really down - and so is the income of the massage ladies, etc. I was at the Pullman Hotel the other day (this is the newish place attached to the King Power Mall off Pahaythai) and the concierge told me they have only 20% occupancy. He said it should be more than 80% at this time of year.

For those who've lived here several years and remember the slow recovery from 1997, you'll also remember how new businesses would seem to open and then collapse within 4-6 months on a regular basis. If what (we think) is coming this year does actually materialize, then this could be one of the worst years in living memory for the average Thai - and everyone else.

Edited January 3, 2009 by aromsia

[davyboy]

rinrada.

quote ..... where can I buy a pint for less that 49 bt.

in any mom and pop store with a table and stools ( concrete or wooden ) outside , in ANY town or village in thailand

no silly licencing laws ... if its open they will sell you booze.

enjoy your 40 baht yi ( large ) leo , chang , singha etc .

dave2

Yes, agree with you Dave, and some even charge as little as 35 baht for a large Chang.

[elektrified]

Good riddance the thai economy needs a good cleaning. Too many small eating establishments, too many of everything for that matter.

I suggest that you know absolutely nothing about the Thai economy.

[tigerboy]

If the flang dollars slow down a lot more business will go. Has anyone ever tryed to figure how much money is sent into Thailand each month to take care of Girlfriends and wifes/

Dont know, but I read once that overseas Phillipine workers send home equvialent of 1/3 the GDP.

Then again, thais and overseas (real) work?

I heard it quoted by Channel News Asia that 19% of the P. I.'s GDP was remittances from overseas workers. This got me thinking similar to tracer5050, no idea where to find that type of information. I doubt that the Thai government even keeps track of it for that matter...

[mommysboy]

If the flang dollars slow down a lot more business will go. Has anyone ever tryed to figure how much money is sent into Thailand each month to take care of Girlfriends and wifes/

Dont know, but I read once that overseas Phillipine workers send home equvialent of 1/3 the GDP.

Then again, thais and overseas (real) work?

Very interesting point. I doubt it gets recorded at all.

Well some 3 weeks and more after starting the topic I've been doing somer research.

Call me Mr Negative, but I'm convinced that beginning around now and lasting 3 years Thailand will be embroiled in it's worst ever recession due to the global recession and the chronic mis-management of the country.

My main belief is that the manufacturing base has already been decimated and is unlikely to match countries like China who have already devalued effectively. Furthe I think Tourism is much more important than is officially declared and will also suffer a major downturn. I just think Thailand will fall out of favour.

It waits to be seen whether any Govt if still around will embark on promised public expenditure, but all this can do is soften the blow slightly.

At this stage, no, I honestly believe there is nothing that can be done.

[patklang]

this can be sorted in 10 mins.

1/ open gambling casinos

2/ open a disney world.

3/park and drive areas,so avoiding coming into central pattaya with own vehicles

then the tourism board can attract more families and wealthier people.

keep the bars too but move them in a different place to beach rd,and make beach road shut to traffic from 7pm until 4am.

gizza job

[capco1]

this can be sorted in 10 mins.

1/ open gambling casinos

2/ open a disney world.

3/park and drive areas,so avoiding coming into central pattaya with own vehicles

then the tourism board can attract more families and wealthier people.

keep the bars too but move them in a different place to beach rd,and make beach road shut to traffic from 7pm until 4am.

gizza job

Spot on......Bingo!

[dumball]

Hey Patklang , think about what you suggested .

Thailand is already a gamblers paradise except the ladies do the spinning not the croupier .

Thailand has become as close to Disneyland you can get .

Now 'Park'nDrive ' is one huge HOWLER , Thai cannot walk 100 metres to the store , and have to take the moto with the whole family on board .

This should be moved to the ''jokes and stories ' section .

[Freddie_fly]

Not another doom and gloom subject, fuc_k it i might aswell move back to the uk.

Dont bother unless you can speak Eastern European or South Asian

Freddie

[Loaded]

Thailand doesn't allow gambling because then there will be clear rules for any business wishing to enter this 'business'. Keeping the casinos just across the border in mickey mouse countries ensures that only the elite of the army and the political process of this country can open and own them as only they have the connections.

Anti gambling laws are not to protect the morals of Thais, but they are to ensure the monopoly ownership by the few continues. Bangkok illegal gambling is 'supervised' by police captain Charlem who was just a somtam's distance away from becoming prime minister a few months ago.

Rotten to the core.

Edited January 5, 2009 by Loaded

[davyboy]

Hey Patklang , think about what you suggested .

Thailand is already a gamblers paradise except the ladies do the spinning not the croupier .

Thailand has become as close to Disneyland you can get .

Now 'Park'nDrive ' is one huge HOWLER , Thai cannot walk 100 metres to the store , and have to take the moto with the whole family on board .

This should be moved to the ''jokes and stories ' section .

Well said, couldn't have put it better myself!!