Today’s Bangkok Post carries a story about how the economic crunch is affecting hotels in Northern Thailand. Basically, it’s bad, very bad, for the hotels. Business is off by almost 50%. While Phuket and other southern destinations are doing too badly, the north has been hard hit. The north – Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son provinces, among others – relies much more on domestic tourism that the southern beaches. While they might not be experiencing the worst that the crisis offers, Thais are still feeling the pinch and cutting back where possible, like discretionary travel.

Of course, as one commenter on the Post’s web site has already pointed out, the problem could also be exacerbated by the horrendous air pollution Chiang Mai has experienced during this year’s field burning season.

In any case, the pollution will blow away in the next month or so, and in the wake of the fall-off in business, you can expect more competition than ever on room rates during the low season. This is where the good news – the silver lining for you – comes in. The north can be a great place to visit in the rainy season, when rains come in the afternoon, leaving mornings free to explore. This may be a great year to spend more time in the north. Check out my Chiang Mai hotel reviews for ideas.

Posted by michael under Travel News
Tags: Chiang Mai • Thailand
No Comments