Bars operating on a knife-edge

[E D]

and then...over again!!!

 

[Amir H]

no: Sorry.

A depression is any economic downturn where real GDP declines by more than 10 percent.

A recession is an economic downturn that sees two consecutive quaters fall in a countries GDP. Formally, the U.S.-based National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) defines economic recession as: "a significant decline in [the] economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP growth, real personal income, employment (non-farm payrolls), industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales." (But NBER took a year to declare the US in a recession! h: )

By this yardstick, the last depression in the United States was from May 1937 to June 1938, where real GDP declined by 18.2 percent.

 

[Stella S]

Same Same when I flew in from Singapore on SilkAir. Maybe 35 or so passengers!

I did have a window seat but the stewardess sat me in the middle row to balance the plane up a bit.

 

[rainbowet95]

I flew in today with Malaysian Airlines and it was around 20 people. Maybe morning flight is more busy than the 6pm flight?

On my flight to KL yesterday it looked like 70% full.

 

[kori p]

No i don't include you as you and your family are more than happy to drink in the beer bars etc rather than just patrol Bangla road with the pram

TBH I think for most families there are better places to go than Patong

 

[cl0ckradi015]

He certainly stimulates a wide range of opinions.

 

[CJ G]

That's no excuse, sitting around pissed outside the local shops, would you send your kids for a pint of milk with that lot sat outside?

Baton charge them back to the airport.............555555555

 

[d3midway]

Problem being that by just about every other "yardstick" the great depression lasted a lot longer!!

 

[Sindy]

Yep, and I intend to visit some of them next. Vietnam is top of the list.

Actually, to pick up on what you say, why do you think Patong is not a family resort? It is a great base to enjoy all the attractions surrounding Patong, yet you still have the nightlife. I appreciate it isn't a place to bring young kids, yet some still do.

 

[momma merri]

55555555 classic.
This flight I've decided to bring me mate, that way we can both get a window seat for the first time - on opposite sides of course.

 

[mommy2b 7 days left :)]

haha
we were out to dionner with my 3 best friends
Joe is a little tight and also an accountant

when bill comes he starts itemizing it, all 3 of us throw down 25% each and laugh at him

 

[cank Uncotly]

So, if we inflate the currency 100%, then GDP drops 10% in real terms, does that mean that instead of a depression, we then are in the middle of a roaring boom time for the economy, since then the GDP in actual dollars goes up? 5555....

 

[GSD PAL]

bet most of them got their bloody shirts off as well!

 

[Arti Gupta]

I feel a hike in tuk tuk prices coming on..........................

 

[starburst71795]

Don't you just hate it when young guys walk around with there shirts off

 

[joebloe]

I think for most families they are unprepared for the P4P scene in Thailand and IMO cannot say it's just a minor part of the tourist industry. Again IMO there are not too many farang women who will not be comfortable with seeing guys picking up Thai Girls in the knowledge that there are more obvious financial transactions involved than they are used to

I suppose at the end of the day its all about tolerance and if families are open minded they can have a ball. Patong is definitely a more rounded resort than say 3-4 years ago.

I personally prefer Patong to be more wild, bohemian and on the edge than it is now, I don't see that happening with lots of mainstream tourists about

 

[Kelly V]

Back to topic...

I think 2009 will be a very bad year for everyone in bar business, its peak season now and still a lot of bars empty. And has been empty big parts of 2008 aswell.

Its not only Patong, despite we slightly better off compared to many others parts of Phuket and Thailand as we have some crowds all year round.

So I expect a lot of changes in the bar business coming 0-2 years. There is simply not enough people to make these running with todays keymoney/rent expenses.

 

[teena]

ha! Reminds me when I was 7. When Dad would send me to the corner store for 2 packs of Parliament Hard Pack and some soda to burn his throat. I made a lot of unsavory connections at that store. 555

Maybe TC is just being nostalgic.

 

[just_ken_here]

What the future will bring and how economics are going to pan out is everyone's guess, even the experts are at odds.

Statistically things should be shaping up soon and there are even some parameters that already suggest so, while others suggest the opposite.

If (and if) things return to a trend of normalization or expansion in the next few months certain sectors may see the effect longer than others.

As far as Patong (P4P) is concerned that could have some odd ramifications, such as many of the girls returning home by the time it get better and when it does there may not enough girls.

Sure once there is a deficiency it will not take lthat ong for the buses from Issan to fill up, but even here there will be a propagation delay; after all they will not be reading up on the future booking statistics.

If the bad time continue through most or all of the low season, I would not be surprised if there will be a short of P4P candidates next high season, especially the early part.

 

[rico]

I agree with you, but it appears to be heading in the opposite direction.