The Asian Financial Crisis began in Thailand in 1997 and spread to other Asian countries. Countries had high debt levels, currency pressures, and collapsed asset prices as foreign capital rapidly pulled out. Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, and other Southeast Asian countries were most affected. The IMF intervened and provided bailout loans with conditions of austerity measures, which some argue exacerbated recessions. While some countries recovered, the crisis highlighted the risks of heavy reliance on foreign capital inflows and foreign debt.