Thailand Today

This year Thailand as seen more than its fair share of action, tension and bad news. I'm surprised the current PM Abhisit isn't greyer than a grey thing.

The way things stand at the moment are in my opinion as follows:

Still no end in sight to the politcal unrest. There have been rumours of an amenesty for all sides over the unrest over the last two years. Sadly this as been squashed by the goverment. The Reds are planning a series of marches this weekend to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the last coup. It seems a perfect excuse for the resumption of violence, the police and Army are very ready for any troubles. Until elections are held and all sides except the result, there will be no end to these problems. I've said this dozens of times, but it will never happen. Too many vested interests!!

The Thai Baht is going into overdrive, now standing at 47 baht to £1, thats down from 74baht five years ago. In short my money only goes 60% of the way it did five years ago. Whilst the loss of my money means nothing to Thailand, the loss of potential exports will be a problem in the future.

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Unrest in the south of the country as been notched up a gear in recent months with a killing most days, no progress is being made and none looks like its imminent.

Other problems are lack of Press freedom, emergency decree still in affect in Bangkok. Drugs and crime on the increase, aswell as certain comodities going through the roof in price. Supposed tourist scams, corruption in all levels of life and the on going bad reputation of the naughty night life.

I hope things get better, I love Thailand and its people and it hurts to see all these problems in their day to day life. Thailand as been lucky to avoid the latest world recession, but things have a nasty habit of catching up with you at some time.