Prices for Drinks & Gals decrease due to poor economy & Thai politics
Now, I could be
waaaay off base on this one - and am happy to be corrected - but could it be that the Thai business owners calculations are correct?
I seem to remember something from my O level economics about elasticity/inelasticity of demand. In a graph with highly elastic demand against price, a hike in prices produces a noticeable drop in demand. End result, less income.
With inelastic demand against prices, you can hike the prices up and receive a relatively lower drop in demand. Net result, more income.
It could be that the average Thai business owner has the economic business sense of a deranged buffalo, or that they simply believe what they see in their pockets. That they can bump prices up an still end up more in pocket.
If someone has bothered to make the trip to LOS, despite travel uncertainties, despite political unrest, then they're there to spend money. It's kind of a captive market. Add onto this that the price are only one part of someone's judgement to patronize a place. Atmosphere, entertainment, girls etc are all part of what helps make someone's mind up to visit an establishment. Does everyone on the board necessarily go to the cheapest places possible?
What I can well believe is that Thai business owners understand short-term gain from
price inelasticity of demand but have no concept of long-term tourist numbers going down. Eventually though, I have to believe that simple economics will weed out bad businesspeople. If numbers to Phuket continue to fall and the prices at some places become prohibitive then - long-term - only those offering a good product at a good price survive. Of course, This Is Thailand, so maybe the usual logic doesn't apply.