Archive for 2008

Thailand New Year’s Fever

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

THAI GO-GO GIRLS, AFTER DARK ASIA

THAI GO-GO GIRLS, AFTER DARK ASIA

 

 

Time flies… Hey guys, there’s never a truer saying, especially when you are eating into the decades in your life. Another year has almost ended and I wonder where the past 12 months has gone. Furthermore, what an eventful year it has been for Thailand. We look on and wonder what 2009 will have in store for us all. I fear that it will be a slow start for Thailand’s tourism industry. But, ever the optimist, I think things will work out. It will take time, but people will get on with there lives and foreigners will return to Thailand. Just how many decide to visit Thailand throughout 2009 is unknown. Some people predict that Thailand might only receive 7 million foreign visitors in 2009, rather than 14 million. I cannot say how many of course, but I expect there will be more than the predicted 7 million visitors in 2009. Some people tend to underestimate how resilient Thailand is. Bangkok is the gateway to Asia and therefore receives the most visitors in the whole continent. To review the past year, you could call it a mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly… (more…)

Thailand Tourism Is Down But Not Out

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

The closure of Bangkok’s international airport has created a HUGE blow to Thailand’s tourism industry and economy. Bangkok’s top class hotels and restaurants have been hit hard. Even though Bangkok’s airports are now fully operational, recovery for Thai tourism is going to be slow. Combined with the global economic crisis, Thailand did itself no favours. Ironically, the type of tourists that Thailand endeavours to attract have been driven away. Single males seeking fun-in-the-sun are now what is keeping part of the Thai economy afloat. The fun-in-the-sun seekers or ‘mongers’ will walk through warzones to get what they want. I dare say that some families who were caught up in Bangkok’s airport crisis have possibly been scared away for life. 

Thailand’s tourism is down but not out for the count. Amid the nightlife scene in Bangkok, the popular go-go bars in Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza are starting to get busier. It’s the luxury hotels, airlines and tour operators that are really suffering. Thailand needs to be grateful to the ‘mongers’ but the Thais will never admit that fact. During this global economic crisis, Thailand’s luxury hotels and restaurants have to realise that they are just too expensive. Whether they do anything about the problem remains to be seen…

This informative report says it all by YAHOO NEWS  

Is It Mission Impossible For Thai PM?

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

The big question facing Thailand’s ongoing political crisis is whether it is Mission Impossible for the new Thai PM. Unlike Tom Cruise in the Hollywood movie series ‘Mission Impossible’ there does not seem to be a happy ending in sight for Thai PM Khun Abhisit. There is still a divide among the Thai people and Thailand’s political scene remains in turmoil. Newly appointed Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has delivered his maiden policy speech, after protesters forced him to switch venue. The full news report is by BBC NEWS 

BBC PHOTOS – Protests thwart Thai PM

Go-Go Dance Contest In Soi Cowboy

Sunday, December 28th, 2008

If you intend to hit the town in Bangkok tonight, then make your way to Soi Cowboy. The recently refurbished Suzie Wong Go-Go Bar are hosting a Go-Go Dance Contest tonight. A motorcycle is the top raffle prize. All proceeds will be donated to orphans and children with AIDS. Seeing that this is a charity event, please try to support it if you can. I expect Suzie Wongs will have a packed house, so don’t arrive too late. May the dirtiest dancing doll win!

Tsunami Thailand – Boxing Day 2004

Friday, December 26th, 2008

Today I woke up on Boxing Day morning and the world was much the same for me, as it was yesterday on Christmas Day. But, for thousands of people their world was changed forever on Boxing Day 2004. It is exactly 4 years to the day that the deadliest Tsunami in recorded history devastated the tropical island of Phuket. On Koh Phi Phi alone out of the 3,000 people on the island that morning only 1,500 people survived. It was a devastating loss of life.

My good friend Aaron Le Boutillier was on Koh Phi Phi that fateful morning, but fortunately he survived. Aaron has since then published “And Then One Morning” which tells the harrowing tale of the horror he witnessed. This is a very special book. It is not only well written, but the most important thing is – ALL AUTHOR ROYALTIES TO BE DONATED TO THE VICTIMS OF THE TSUNAMI. 

BOXING DAY IN BANGKOK (PHOTO COURTESY OF STICKMAN)

BOXING DAY IN BANGKOK (PHOTO COURTESY OF STICKMAN)

LEST WE FORGET – Please take a moment to visit the Page that I have entitled, “Tsunami Thailand.”