In the bustling street markets, spice warehouses and gold shops of Bangkok's Chinatown, an air of cautious optimism is greeting the Year of the Rabbit.
Vendors, shoppers and traders report that business surrounding Lunar New Year celebrations is still down overall but definitely up compared to last year.
'I am bullish about the Rabbit,' said stockbroker Somchai Ongphen as he shopped in the gold shops on the glittering thoroughfare that is Yaowarat Road.
'The recession is still with us, but it is easing. Our hope has returned.' Down even the smallest lanes, sellers of steamed buns said business was up.
'Nobody wants to say it is all over and time to celebrate,' said noodle maker Heng as he surveyed a queue of customers. 'But we are quietly happy.' Others reflected on their 'luck' in living in Bangkok, given the violence that has stalked the Chinatowns of Indonesia as recession led to a breakdown in social order.
'We are free and strong and safe,' one elderly man, a Chinese immigrant from Vietnam, said. 'It hasn't always been like that, but now Bangkok is a magical place. People are tolerant. It is as much Chinese as it is Thai across the whole city.' Increased links between the Thai and Chinese governments are also buoying the mood. China chipped in US$1 billion (HK$7.74 billion) to the International Monetary Fund's bailout of Thailand - an unprecedented act for a communist state.
