Monday, December 8, 2008

DON'T TURN YOUR BACK ON BANGKOK - JUST YET

I am sure thousands (well, I know of 300,000 people) who are cursing the Thai people, the Thai government and the Thai Suvarnabhumi Airport authorities for the recent closure of the international airport.
Many were inconvenienced. Transits missed. Deadlines not met. Meetings cancelled, contracts opportunities missed. All sorts of problems caused.
Thailand, in the eyes of the world, especially in the world of tourism, has taken a beating. Many trapped tourists and businessmen swore through the media that they will not return to Thailand ever.
But I'm sure, Thailand, whose tourism industry has survived countless street demos, numerous government changes and even a devastating tsunami a few years back, will bounce back even before you can pronounce the name of its international airport.
Why? Because Thailand is Thailand. Yes, it has one of the most volatile democratic system in the region, but it is still the most gorgeous, the most beautiful, the most dynamic, the liveliest country to visit for anyone - the young male, the older guy, the golfer, the shopaholic, the gastronomic traveler and the pure tourist.
For my friends and I, there's basically only two choices for golf travel and nightlife - Jakarta and Bangkok. Close seconds are Bali, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiengmai. Manila surprisingly hardly ever mentioned as a destination as was Singapore.
So, I believe, Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Chiengmai will still receive Malaysian tourists as soon as airline schedules are back online.
Me? I'll be going to Jakarta on the 21st I think, and maybe Pattaya sometime in January before Chinese New Year. These are just plans. But you know, I just checked the exchange rates and the rupiah stood at RM320 for a million rupiah. Now that's a bargain.

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