We're off and flying here in Thailand!

Hello everyone - how are you doing? 

All is good with us here in Bangkok, Thailand. Across the globe, there seems such a diversity of people's lives and living at present don't you think? 

Our Aussie friends and family in Melbourne, are now sadly back in their second period of COVID-19 lockdown. They are looking across the borders into the other states, and other parts of the world, wishing they had the same happy freedoms. 

Do you like this sign I spotted this week? I am hoping you too, are far away from stress, anger, traffic misery and worries!

Signpost on the holiday island of Koh Yao Noi

Our British friends and family have been cautiously re-emerging back into life on the outside, the word pub has even been mentioned. My Mum is doing a roaring trade, making and selling face masks for a good cause.  

Then there is us in Thailand. 

Thailand has received international praise for it's handling of the pandemic with less than 60 deaths as of July 1. We are carefully getting back to our normal lives, as always with our masks too. The new cases that are reported of COVID-19 are arrivals from overseas with diplomatic immunity. 

Don't get me started on this. Thailand is really strict on its 14-day mandatory quarantine, except a handful of exemptions. Who come in and go shopping in the shopping centres!

Gold, gold and more gold at Bangkok's Grand Palace

On our roads, our traffic jams are sadly back but our skies are mostly clear from aircraft (there is only a handful of international arrivals) and the lack of pollution is wonderful! Without the tourists, we are seeing our city in a whole new light. We have never had the Grand Palace all to ourselves like this.

An unusual sight a deserted Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand

There are however many businesses bars, hotels and nightclubs who are waiting to reopen for a decision on when the tourists will be allowed back in. Tourism has been hit hard, it accounts for 15 -20% of GDP and no international tourist arrivals since March. We are seeing a whole heap of places, smaller shops, and some hotels who look doubtful whether they will ever return. 

The devasting effect that the closure of Thailand is having on the economy and its people is expected to drive millions below the poverty line. 

On the surface, everything looks fine and golden around the city. However underneath all the gold, who knows? Time will tell. 

We are keeping calm and doing our bit for domestic tourism by travelling on...

Our first flight in four months 

Thank you for all the lovely comments on my last post. Buoyed with the knowledge that you enjoy virtual travel with me and that it's not too dispiriting for those of you homebound, I will share some photos of my recent wanderings. 

We decided to take the plunge and get back to flying. You can read my report on What it's like to fly domestically in Thailand here

So I will leave you with a few photos and a fun menu I spotted on the day we heard Melbourne was back in lockdown - it was time for all of us to have a stiff G & T!

TreeHouse Villas - Koh Yao Noi

How about Treehouse Villas for a fun place to stay? We stayed next door at a place called Paradise. One day I will come back here to stay for sure!

Paradise is on the Andaman Sea in Phang Nga Bay. Famous for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse flora and fauna. You can read more about our adventures with the animals taking back nature on my Littlewanderingwren Instagram here

Here is a little peek into what life was like in Paradise, look at those views!

I hope you have enjoyed wandering Thailand with me, from where ever you are reading. As always, it's been lovely having you along. Be over to visit you at yours soon. Chat soon!

Linking with thanks to Wednesday around the World, Sharon's Souvenirs