Thailand 2011

Its been two years I have been in Thailand and I've noticed several major changes.

The main thing is the cost of living as shot up, not only for the locals but as a tourist, everything as gone up big time.

Prices in Thai baht

2009     2011
70         125  Small bottle of beer in a pub
45         55    Large bottle of beer in the Supermarket
295       385  Pizza at Pizza Hut
45         65    Express Way charge to Don Muang
23         35   1 Ltr unleaded petrol

Other things have stayed the same, like eating out Thai, Taxi rides, in fact anything that local Thais buy everyday.

Unfortunately the exchange rate between the Baht and the Pound is shocking at the moment. So had the average 20%ish rise in the price anyway and then factor in the 20-30% loss due to the exchange rate and the prices are more than noticeably higher.

Bangkok, certainly seems to be a more modern place, many more high rise buildings and professional people walking about, there seem to be more new cars on the road and some of the High tech stuff Bangkok is way ahead of us.

I was very disappointed to see the measures that some people were going to to make a buck, stuff like pimps coming up to me and asking if I want a soapy massage, even though I have Elizabeth with me. Being tapped on the shoulder in Burger King by a young lad and asked if I want a good time! Child Porn DVDs, Sex toys and drug taking equipment openly for sale on Silom, Sukhumvit and in Chinatown.

What hasn't changed is the friendliness and character of normal day to day Thai people, whether business people or the working class. I enjoyed meeting a very  diverse set of people on this trip.

I now have an appetite to go back to Thailand for another holiday.