I don't need a holiday, and I'm not even entirely sure I want to go to the beach, but as this is the best season in Thailand for the islands, it seems silly to pass up the opportunity.
After the recent political problems which included the closure of the two main airports in Bangkok by protesters, tourism was forecast to be decimated. And as it represents about 6% of GDP, that's a serious issue.
Thus far the predictions of doom and gloom do not appear to have been borne out, in that a 50% decline in tourism has not taken place. If anything, it may be down 10-20%, (depending on who you believe, and perhaps these things are deliberately not being recorded with any degree of certainty).
But as commentators on these matters have pointed out, those who had booked for the peak Christmas and New Year holidays probably didn't alter their plans once the airports were reopened. But those who booked later, probably have by now, especially with a growing realisation of the deepness of the worldwide slump.
In a couple of weeks it will be Chinese New Year, and Thailand's island idylls will probably benefit from the influx of the many in the region who have yet another five day holiday. Thereafter things may indeed get a bit quieter.
As privacy and quietude are one of the greatest luxuries in life for me, that's when I might head off into the sunset, like this one.
(1930s metal plane on marble base, with inkwell from French Cab.)
(Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi, Thailand.)
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