LATEST figures indicate that inflation surged to 9.2 percent in Thailand in July, the highest rate for 10 years. That's a worry.

Inflation, caused by the rising price of oil, now means you need to book a flight to Bangkok or from Bangkok to Phuket three days in advance.

You will pay more for the privilege of winning a seat on a plane, or be forced to catch an overnight bus.

Shortages of seats on aircraft are already a problem for the Phuket tourists industry each high season, with visitors who suddenly decide to take a break on the holiday island sometimes forced to go to another destination.

In good times, there are simply not enough flights to Phuket.

Now we know, with the closures of budget airlines Nok Air and One-Two-Go, that it can even be a problem in the low season.

Blame oil-fuelled inflation.

On Phuket, prices are clearly rising, too. Judging by the cost of a basket of essential items at Tesco Lotus, the cost of living on the island appears to be zooming up faster than the national average.

There are some scary signs. A three-kilo bag of Purina Alpo dog food, for example, cost 189 baht a few weeks back. In August it now costs 250 baht.

All this is alarming because the island has to import virtually everything.

However, even economists who pontificate about world markets are hesitant to make predictions about the island because of its quirky characteristics.

Exactly how much inflation is there on and around Phuket? We went to the broom makers of Baan Klong Hang for an answer.

The women of this Phang Nga community make many of Phuket's traditional brooms, producing them by hand using natural material and wire binding.

It's a skilled task. Three or four of them can produce as many as 100 brooms a day, each one a thing of beauty when compared to the plastic factory versions.

The price of a broom bought directly from the women of Baan Klong Hang two years ago was 17 baht, and a very good deal that was for a hand-made treasure.

Guess what? These days a broom direct from the makers will cost you 25 baht. That's an increase of 47 percent in just two years.

Should we be alarmed? Probably not. Make a product that people want, and the price will rise according to demand.

And perhaps the price won't rise again for a decade, or until the villagers feel they need more to preserve their simple lifestyle.

The brooms sell for 35 baht at retail outlets in Phuket. If you ever found yourself short of cash to buy one, you could drive to Phang Nga and save yourself 10 baht.

Sorry, our little joke about fuel prices.

Inflation on Phuket? Who knows . . . prices certainly seem to be on a steep incline right now.

Other considerations also have to be taken into account, including support for traditional local handicraft industries.

If you are using an expensive plastic factory version, you may be sweeping with the enemy.


LOOKING FOR something to do on Phuket on a rainy day? Why not drive up to Phang Nga.

It will probably also be wet, yet because rain falls so regularly there during the green season, locals simply go about their normal business.

The countryside inland between Takuapa and Thai Muang is superb, with sweeping vistas over valleys and hills.

There are seven villages in the region, each with a one-village-one-product specialty.

Nearby is Baan Chang Nawn (Sleeping Elephant Village). We thought the honey from the local wild bees was especially tasty.

As for the broom makers, their work, along with rubber and bamboo plantations, helps support a thriving community of more than 70 adults and children.

Wages have more than kept pace with rising prices. So there's still hope we can all live with inflation


WHILE on inflation and travel, Africa figures highly on most people's wanna-go list.

But Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe may not be the place they'd prefer.

Here's what a resident wrote recently on an online site, crikey.com.au, about life there: ''We are allowed to draw only 100 billion dollars per day from our bank accounts.

''This is currently worth less than 20 UK pence or 40 US cents . . .

''This daily maximum withdrawal is not enough to buy even a single bread roll which this week cost 140 billion dollars.

''On Saturday one kilo of potatoes was 110 billion, one kilo of oranges 500 billion, so one cannot buy anything for the daily drawn-sum and then by the next day everything has again increased beyond one's purse.

''Supermarkets are empty. Vegetables available only from street vendors. Our telephone calls are 2.2 billion dollars per unit.

''We are desperate for relief. On Friday 25th exchange rate was 850 billion dollars to the US. Inflation was 150 quintillion percent (that is 150 plus 18 0's ).

''We try to keep each other going but it is extremely difficult.

''The sun still shines and birds are chirping in the garden and spring is coming. The warmer weather helps our mood.''

Zimbabwe? Let's not go there.

Look for every day, Monday to Friday, at Phuketwan. It's essential reading.

To tell us your news, email bigislandmedia@gmail.com or telephone 081 6513489.

Latest from Phuketwan:

August 1
The travel industry has spawned phrases and words that are as confusing as 'friendly fire' is to warfare or 'leader' is to politics. Today we take aim at a couple of popular lies in tourism.

Tourism's Biggest Lies: The Weasels in Wordplay

July 31
Should communities on islands off Phuket benefit from tourism? Certainly they should, say the people of Koh Yao Yai, where change is coming fast; One Two Go, When When When?; Aussies brawl again.

Speedboat Stirs Up Island Independence

July 30
Giving Thai officials the finger on arrival on Phuket and elsewhere will become customary if Cabinet approves a proposal from Thai Immigration officials; Korean honeymooners now have a new honorary consul.

Fingerprinting Urged For International Arrivals in Thailand

July 29
If marine biologists tell us that the Andaman coral reefs are in danger, we listen. And that's what the diving and fishing industries need to do at a crisis meeting this week; Nokking on Heaven's door by bus to Phuket; A wedding and an unwanted guest.

Crisis Meeting Will Decide Future of Phuket Diving

July 28
Control of Patong's decision-making local council now rests with Pian Keesin and the Rak Patong party after Sunday's poll, and that means the advocates of the Patong Hill underpass are in charge; Laguna's ESPN sportsfest rescues a school

Patong Hill Tunnel Likely After Poll Power Change

Weekend Extra July 26-27
Phuket's push for condominiums to the max stresses the Governor and the building industry; The new Turkish resort brand offers all in one wellness; Khao Lak alert for 'Divebombing and Drunk' Russians.

Governor Fears Condomania Outbreak on Phuket

July 25
A gem among Andaman destinations, cameras loved this fabled water village. But up close and personal, Panyee was on the nose. Could a traditional fishing village beat pollution?

Stilt Villagers Tame The Beast of Panyee

July 24
An important meeting will be held on August 1 in an effort to save Phuket's coral reefs, under threat from divers and fishermen; Drugs lure tourists to Cambodia and Laos; Noted Australian newsman on trafficking charge.

Racha Summit to Resolve Threats to Phuket Reefs

July 23
One of the Andaman region's most spectacular and star-crossed resort sites, the Sofitel Magic Lagoon, has a new and unusual brand; Airlines face a new world order; Wellness flies high for Bangkok Airways.

Khao Lak Delight as Turkish Brand Takes Over

July 22
Signs are not good for Phuket's tourism and property industries as airlines throttle back for a rough passage through darkening clouds. Embattled One Two Go CEO sees a silver lining; Flower show a bright spot.

Airline Setback Will Slow Phuket Too

July 21
The Department of Civil Aviation will today release the report on the crash of One-Two-Go Flight 269 on Phuket last year. The report has ramifications for continuing confidence in budget airlines; Golf caddy query; Tsunami movie hit.

Phuket Air Crash Report Due For Release

July 18
While Phuket resorts wait to see what August and September bring, some have contingency plans for staff layoffs. How deep will the oil price crisis bite? Surf carnival time; Your own tuk-tuk; Choosing a restaurant.

Jobs at Risk as Phuket Tourist Numbers Dive

July 17
A new festival on an island off Phuket is set to capture traditional life, and perhaps even the buffaloes that will be ridden and raced; The difference between Phuket Town and Phuket City, invisible people.

Buffalo Festival A First For Phuket

July 16
The piling went in but the Patong resort management discovered the classy new villas were above the 80 metre height limit. What to do? Three die in Patong landslip; Detox spa for Patong.

Patong Resort Cancels Villas For Height Breach

Look for every day, Monday to Friday, at Phuketwan.