Reckoning time

A very qiuet Thai beach

Its time for reckoning now in the Land of Smiles. The central Bank estimated that the recent week long closure of the Airports cost Thailand more than the tsunami wave and SARS outbreak combined.

$11.5 billion is the figure that is being thrown about, that is a lot of money to any country, but to Thailand its a huge amount. What is more worrying is the cost which will be waiting for the coming year, when people start looking at other destinations were there is a good chance of them coming home on time and their pound is still strong. Sadly they wont be looking at Thailand. The go-go bars are empty and sex is on sale at half price as Bangkok's infamous red light districts suffer from the blockade of the capital's airports and its comebacks.

We've booked, but I know several people who have put off trips or have decided to give Thailand a miss this year. Some of the expat community in Thailand are welcoming the down turn in isitor numbers hoping it will make things easier for them. Prices may well go down short term and there will be no tourist's hassling them on a friday night. A little short sightrd view, but ex-pats especially in Bangkok are a strange breed.