Oops They Did It Again

Welcome to the winter of our growing discontent.
Thailand again is making global news and travel alerts are rolling out like suits slipping on banana skins, which litter the sidewalk.
At present count 19 countries have issued warnings to avoid Bangkok and its environs. Thailand had been expecting more than 26 million visitors in 2015 and forecasts are now being downgraded to just over 25 million.
At least we won't have to hear the travel sector complain now about the onslaught of visitors from emerging destinations like China as Eastern Europe as the reality is that most of the group business from these sectors is the least geo politically resistant. They will still come; it's the moneyed set that might opt out.
So what goes out of the equation is the push for quality versus quantity and ensuring that visitors can find their way to the shopping malls out there beyond the demonstrations.
I have to go back to my wardrobe and bin those red and yellow t-shirts, as I remain fiercely independent.
For tourists they sadly have to bear the brunt of Thailand's continued efforts to shoot themselves in the foot as they frolic near but oh so far away from broader success.
What shall the winter bring to Phuket? Last time in the ugly days of May, the destination remained a safe haven but what's at risk here is the ability of hotels to increase rates in a volatile market and another go at the reset button of Brand Thailand.