Why the Silence?

Humblest apologies for the lack of recent posts. Last week I took a few days off - well, sort of off -- and went up to the Big Chilli as I believe some people now refer to Bangkok. Not a lot new really going on up there - according to hotel and bar staff things are very, very quiet.

Had a stroll around the 'Barrier Reef' to see how well various levels of the food chain are doing. As with all reefs, if you upset the delicate balance of life in one area there are effects and outcomes elsewhere which you may not have expected.

From the larger hotels, I had a stroll into The Huntsman Pub in the Landmark hotel to see what the band was like. Well, the band was excellent but there was a distinct shortage of customers - and in the Landmark you are talking about people who don't worry about where the next shilling is coming from.

A leisurely stroll through Robinson's store and the supermarket below Tops and it was apparent that the sales personnel there are not exactly overworked. An amble to visit an old acquaintance off Soi 33 re-confirmed the impression that Bangkok is pretty much suffering all round. Economic realities throughout the world are having an effect.

Pattaya trundles along as always but here there is also an absence of feet on the streets or bums on seats. As in Bangkok there are lots of businesses for sale of all sorts really - even some that are not immediately or so obviously tied into tourism - translation, hairdressing, wellness (I believe is the new fad), and then the more obvious tours, events and sightseeing. In turn these have an effect on all sorts of small businesses.

The increase in excise duty introduced by the government have been passed on in most establishments. I was nothing short of astounded at a small sidewalk bar/restaurant to have to pay 460 Baht in Bangkok for a bottle of beer and a chicken / fried rice. The old ticker did a whirlly! A good job not many Pattaya Lifers visit the Capital too often!