Prices are on the way up in downtown Bangkok. My favourite local eatery in Soi 22 Sukhumvit - Raam Derm - (literally translated "same old place"), has a new printed menu with prices hiked up 20 to 25%. Despite their continued excellent Thai/Chinese menu they seem to be foresaking the local clientele for the tourist market from the 5 star Imperial Queens Park up the road. Looks like I will have to frequent "Tip Top" again where a healthy Macaroni Beef Steak remains at 80 Baht and Khao Pad a modest 45 Baht. Their spoilt pekinese dog with a bow in its hair which takes up regular residence on the cashiers desk never took to me anyway. It bared it's teeth and growled whenever I approached the counter.

Price rises are not confined to restaurants. According to Craig Collins, senior vice president of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, the average daily room rate of 4 star hotels (hotels which are almost a real hotel but not quite) in Bangkok rose 25% in the first half of 2002 to 1,800 Baht (around $45 USD), while 5 star hotel rates, already having experienced their own price escalation in 2001, remained fairly stagnant. Thailand was comparatively only slightly affected by the worldwide tourism downturn post airline attacks on the Twin towers on New York, and continued influx of 4 star type tourists since have caused a rise in occupancy in 4 star hotels. The general decrease in disposable income of international tourists following two years of stagnant or declining economies has meant that 4 star accomodation is in demand, while the luxury and deluxe business hotels are over-supplied - a situation also evident in other Asian centers. On the other hand, Hong Kong has seen their traditionally exhorbitant hotel rates and restaurant prices decline as property values plummet, and competition for the Asian region incoming tourism market increases.