Chiang Mai Businesses Closing Or For Sale

[caf]

We will not see the Maccas, KFC, etc close up shop in the near future. Strength of business plan and systems always gets these guys through.

The Mike's Original seems to be dropping off now IMO, especially over at Central on Heuy Gow KFC was absolutely packed as normal. Yet Mike's never had a single customers for the whole day I saw it.

The strong baht is definately hurting most- as a 200bt does not seem a low cost anymore. All about perceptions, the shock of seeing 29.xx bt next to the US dollar made me think 'How low will it go'. US not looking bright and rosy in the near future.

Is the strong baht a matter of this country (Thai) being held by the belief that they are doing better than most other countries. It will be a very light HIGH Season if the baht remain high- whilst their neighbours and Tourism competitor do not rise.

If you making your money in baht at the moment you are definately well in the money. Wished i changed over a lot more a few months ago, as it HURTS everytime I visit the exchange booth or ATM now.

Like many I suspect we been holding OFF on receiving any serious money as the baht was 20% better only a few months ago. So we are stuck on a price in our mind. If we are used to US dollar at 35bt then we do not wish to take 29bt unless an emergency. So that means we sacrifice visits to shops and resturants in the ST for what we hope will be LT gains. Well that the way I play it now- much like the stockmarket.

Yet who is to say it will not drop another 40% over the next year- now that has probably made many expats crap themselves- it possible yet not probable.

:jap:

I agree with your assessment although what I think you meant to say was that 200 THB does not seem like a high cost anymore. You almost can't do anything with 100 THB anymore. Sure you can buy a beer, put gas in a motorcycle, buy a meal at a cheap Thai restaurant, etc., but that's about it. I'm sure people on this forum have noticed how much Thais are spending when they go grocery shopping at Carrefour, Tesco Lotus, etc. It ain't like it used to be years ago here...

no, i'm pretty sure he meant "low"cost...

I feel after the problems with the red and yellow shirts that chiang mai has not been the same for business. many restaurants have been hit hard and high rents not help. our work in chiang mai is down 25% because some restaurants have had to close. However bangkok orders have gone up ?? we are lucky as we not have high over heads. my advice is if your thinking to open a new business then do you home work twice. sausage king.

an interesting observation, chiang mai restaurants are closing and those in bangkok are not. that suggests it is not to do with tourist numbers then as they are down everywhere

are you talking farang or thai restaurants; there is of course a higher percentage of farang resturants and eateries in chiangmai, most well established.

maybe customers are venturing more to thai restaurants - just a thought.