BANGKOK (AP) - It's been 20 years since a financial meltdown spread through much of Asia, wrecking economies and bringing down governments.

They've long since recovered and, analysts say, are now stronger for the experience. But in Thailand - the epicenter of the crisis - the anniversary brings back painful memories for those who lived through it, and lost everything.

"It was like there was no way out for many of us," said Supop Pavanan. Today he makes a comfortable living selling Buddhist amulets at his Bangkok shop and over the internet, but two decades ago he was among millions of victims of the great Asian crash.

FILE - In this Oct. 23, 1997, file photo, a boy calls for the resignation of Prime Minster Chavalit Youngchaiyudh for the poor handling of the Asian financial crisis outside the Government House in Bangkok. Asian governments and economies have recovered from the financial meltdown that spread through much of Asia 20 years ago, but many in people Thailand, the epicenter of the crisis, recall painful memories of living through it and lost everything. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)

Thailand's boom of the mid-1990s, fueled by unrestrained borrowing and a corrupt, lax finance system, collapsed on July 2, 1997, when the government devalued the baht. The currency sank, ruining companies and individuals almost overnight and starting a chain reaction that spread across borders.

Soon, many of Asia's tiger economies were skinned alive.

Recessions struck from South Korea to Indonesia and millions were thrown out of work as investment and real estate bubbles burst, roiling global markets.

Bangkok came to resemble a giant flea market. Wealthy Thais sold their luxury goods at knock-down prices in parking lots. Cars, jewelry, vintage wine - even personal aircraft - all had to go.

"The worst thing was not knowing what would happen to you," said Supop, who had been an overseas tour guide but was laid off. He ended up selling fish balls from a street stall and his income fell from $3,000 in a good month to $200, if he was lucky.

He stuck at it for a year before beginning a slow climb back out of the economic depths.

"You couldn't apply for a job because no one would give you one," he said. "You couldn't sell goods because no one was buying. You couldn't get a loan for an investment because no one was giving them."

Anger grew as unemployment soared. The government fell.