BTS Closed -Tuesday April 27 2010

[Guest]

Woke up this morning in England with the 7am news on the radio with the first report being that the foreign office now advising against trips to any part of Thailand, not just Bangkok.

Maybe a good time for a flight deal

[mardhi]

Simple reality is that Thailand has very little debt anywhere on or off the radar screen. Throughout the economic mess affecting the rest of the world, banks have continued to perform well. They have an enviable spread between what they pay depositors and the rates they lend money out at. Everything these days is secured debt and has been since the '97 crash. This is very prudent 'housekeeping' and its reflecting in the value of the baht - dont forget pre-'97 the baht was trading at 40 baht to the GB Pound and had been fairly stable for the previous 10 or so years. Add to that the tax revenues are rising every year in Thailand. When you look at the economic indicators - the economy is actually in very good shape. Of course that does not translate so well in the mongering sector but it reflects the points I made above - much is off the radar screen and it does not get taken into account.

Cheers
Mardhi

[manarak]

Mardhi is spot on.

Tourism makes for about 6% of Thai economy.

Of course the touristy areas will be hit hard, but they don't account for much in the total.

[guydesavoy]

(mardhi @ Apr. 28 2010,14:41) When you look at the economic indicators - the economy is actually in very good shape.      Of course that does not translate so well in the mongering sector...

Quite right.

Tourism probably does affect the Bar scene so some room for leverage there despite the opening gambit, (read no tourist = higher prices)..

What would be interesting and perhaps quite novel, is a detailed study of the p4p industry as a sub-sector of the tourist economy and how fluctuations impact thereon...

Any post grad students out there ? You might get a subsidised trip out of that one

[El_hefe]

Maybe a good time for a flight deal

This is the way I'm looking at it from afar, I'm keeping my powder dry & waiting for the flight sales & hotel discounts after the likely violence & bad worldwide press, then I'll buy this year's ticket.

Too bad that a lot of powerless people are caught in the middle.

[kahuna]

It ain't just in Bkk guys...From Pattaya One News yesterday...

Tensions mount as political protests continue in front of Pattaya City Hall...28th April 2010
 
On Tuesday Afternoon, we were once again at Pattaya City Hall to monitor the ongoing protests by the pro-government multicolors and the anti-government red shirts who are positioned at the front of City Hall. Every evening the multicolors hold a two hour rally at the location and on Tuesday Night they heavily outnumbered the Pattaya Red Shirts who occupied a small corner of the street. Traffic Flow was not affected despite the hundreds of people who turned out. The Red Shirts appeared nervous and a Red Shirt Guard, dressed in black, remained alert throughout the 2 hour rally by the multicolors. Police presence was noticeable higher than on previous days and we can report that no physical confrontations occurred between both groups. The main gates of City Hall were closed for a time as a precaution. Reports from Bangkok on Wednesday Afternoon suggest that the Red Shirts are now in battles with the authorities who are thought to have fired on protesters a number of times. If this continues there is a fear that the Red Shirts will be sent to the Provinces to continue their fight.

And from Tuesday...

Gunfire at Red Shirt Camp outside Pattaya City Hall
27th April 2010

In the early hours of Tuesday Morning, in front of Pattaya City Hall, a group of Pattaya anti-government red shirts were maintaining a presence at the location following orders given to them by the Bangkok Core Red Shirt Leaders. By this time, the pro-government multicolors had gone home and all appeared normal until gun fire was heard and everyone ran for cover. The incident involved a White Van that drove past the protesters. The driver of the van produced a gun and shot into the air once before driving away at speed. Police units nearby were not able to catch the shooter. Security Camera footage is now being analyzed and the empty bullet casing has been taken into evidence by Pattaya Police who are attempting to locate the vehicle and its driver at this time.

[Snick]

Are they on Walking Street ?

[kahuna]

No...Pattaya Nua in front of Pattaya City offices across from Tesco Lotus...

[Snick]

Ok, then its safe for me

[kahuna]

Of course it's safe for you...Who would ever fuck with a man who wears pornographic Mickey Mouse shirts...

[robbo]

(Snick @ Apr. 29 2010,20:56) Ok, then its safe for me

[robbo]

(kahuna @ Apr. 30 2010,01:38) Of course it's safe for you...Who would ever fuck with a man who wears pornographic Mickey Mouse shirts...

[robbo]

well heres one guy whos just put off his hol to LOS,IM NOT ABOUT TO SPEND SHIT LOADS A MONEY TRAVEL HALF WAY ROUND THE WORLD AND WORRY ABOUT WHERE N WHAT I CAN DO
fook that it can wait till the shit has settled.
id rather not sit in a bar and wonder if some shits gonna go off near me.
one thing i allways went for was that relaxed virtual stress and carefree hard earned break from the shite UK at the moment i dont feel confident that its worth it.
other shores beckon in the meantime,mayby big ass babes with big wangers who like some bum fun

[Snick]

I can relate.
This is supposed to be your vacation. Who wants to worry about will the airport get closed, will there be a curfew, will the TV go blank and my Thai Soaps go off the air.

I've curtailed my Bangkok activities, and feel forced to go to Pattaya every weekend.

ps. This is going to be an All Mickey weekend, I will bring all my Mickey shirts. Horny Micky, Suicidal Mickey, Cannibal Mickey...

[PigDogg]

Latest news is that the Reds invaded Chulalongkorn hospital causing the hospital to be evacuated.