Most Thais are still blaming the tsunami on the lack of tourists....believe it or not. They fail to see how raising prices so now a glass of water costs nearly $7 affects how tourists choose to spend their money. They fail to understand that "regular" tourists are tired of the same-same all the time. They don't realize that being accosted by 25 touts on the street trying to drag you into their establishments turns lots of people off. They don't see the the uncertainty of what's going to be allowed to happen in the bars dependent on what the police are up to makes some people a bit skiddish about traveling to Thailand. It's a mixed bag, really. Those of us who live here have found lots of other outlets for young hook-ups and don't depend on the bars for much of anything.
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