HAPPY NEW YEAR, BUT I'M NOT THE FIRST

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year 2009.
Have I gone mad? Well perhaps, but if you think I have then I'm in good company. A huge sign bearing those exact same words has appeared on the facade of The Mall Tha Phra, the convenient mall at the end of my soi (street).
Two weeks ago a Christmas tree took root and now it's this new year sign. Someone said it's a sign that shopping malls are suffering big time at the moment, and from my own experiences this weekend I have to agree. Central World was amazingly quiet for a Saturday morning yesterday, and although it was pretty busy at Central Chitlom at lunchtime today I think a lot of people were just there to take pictures of the flower displays that form their current sales promotions.