DRY DAYS - Thai authorities have ordered beer bars, go-go bars, discos and nightclubs to close in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket on Monday 26/07/2010 and on Tuesday 27/07/2010. This is due to Buddhist Holidays, which are incidentally two of the most revered Buddha Days on the Thai calendar. I remember the fiasco last year, when the bars in Nana Plaza tried to open and then, were promptly closed down an hour later. This really annoyed a lot of bar girls who had paid for taxis, plus paid to have their hair and make-up done. This time around the MIB or ‘Men In Brown’ have told everybody in advance.
POLICE PAPERS - Thai Police issued official papers to the bars, go-go bars and nightclubs in Bangkok on Saturday. Rather than a request, they stated that girly bars and nightclubs must close. However, hotels, restaurants and pubs, can open due to having a food and beverage license. Therefore, your best booze options are to go to a hotel, restaurant, or pub.
DATE MATE - I always feel a bit sorry for tourists who are only in Thailand for a fortnight or so. However, there is so much to do and see, especially in Bangkok. Why don’t they do something else? Go shopping, go sightseeing, go to watch a movie, catch up on some reading, eat at a top class restaurant, relax on the beach, spend some quality time with your partner, or date mate, etc. Furthermore, the days fall right this year, because it didn’t spoil your weekend.
SPORTS SCHEDULE - The landlord of Chequers Pub has got it up early this week and so, Nick will be bashing his balls around. Settle down! Jack Nicholson’s lookalike has gone to Hua Hin to play golf. Well, it is supposed to be a golf trip, but it is more likely to be a busman’s holiday with some golf as a distraction! Joking apart, Nick has worked flat out every day since Songkran and therefore, definitely deserves a holiday. Nick will be back in Chequers Pub on Friday.
CHEQUERS OUT - Chequers Pub is located just passed Dynasty Inn on Soi Nana in Bangkok. Please tell Nick that Dave The Rave recommended Chequers Pub. Thanks! Read the rest of this entry »
There is no football until the English Premier League starts next month, but still some good sports action. Among other pubs in Bangkok, Chequers Sports Pub (Soi Nana) is ideal to catch the live sports action. Chequers Pub is ran by Nick, who always makes you feel like your are in your local boozer. A true home from home… Read the rest of this entry »
The FIFA World Cup has ended and so has this momentary distraction. I did take a brief break from writing ‘Thailand Tonight’ during the World Cup, but it is time to return to the neon jungles of Thailand… Read the rest of this entry »
SPORTS SCHEDULE - Here is this week’s sports action, which is kindly supplied by Chequers Sports Pub (located near Dynasty Inn on Soi Nana in Bangkok). Enjoy! Read the rest of this entry »
FIFA WORLD CUP 03/07/2010 - The stage is set for an exciting quarter final. At 21:00 Thai time, it is Argentina V Germany, which is followed by Paraquay V Spain at 01:00 hours. Although it is an unpredictable World Cup this year, I think Spain and Argentina will win. However, as we have seen so far, anything could happen. Yesterday, Holland sent Brazil home in a surprise 2-1 result. Former World Cup winners France and Italy both crashed out very early, and pathetic England suffered their heaviest defeat in the history of the World Cup.
WEATHER WATCH - Heavy rainfall has hit Bangkok these past two nights, but the FIFA World Cup is definitely giving the bar trade in Thailand a much-needed boost.
I have visited Soi Cowboy several times in recent weeks. Despite the hype from some people, it was not that busy in the majority of go-go bars. In fact, Marc who is the manager of Dollhouse told me last night, bar trade in Soi Cowboy slowed down a lot these past few weeks. As I have said before, it is the same everywhere with very few exceptions. Read the rest of this entry »
FIFA WORLD CUP TONIGHT - America V Algeria will be on at 21:00 with America needing a win to go through to the last sixteen. Later on at 01:30 Germany need to beat Ghana to progress in the tournament. Read the rest of this entry »
Just lately, the Thais are asking us why there are so few foreigners visiting Thailand this month. With confused expressions they genuinely ask, ‘Where farang go, why not come Thailand?’ With a wry smile we reply, ‘Why do you think they are not coming?’ It is as though the mini civil war in Bangkok never happened. Hey, perhaps they think it was a Hollywood movie! Read the rest of this entry »
Thailand Tonight is running late and will be online tomorrow 17/06/2010 at around 18:00 Thai time. It has been a hectic week for Dave The Rave with added pressure from the aftermath of the violence in Bangkok. Currently, it is a testing time for many of us here in Thailand.
GO-GO GURU GUIDE - I have started to write my Go-Go Guru Guide, which will cover various aspects of Thailand nightlife. I will guide you through the maze of Thailand’s bar culture. Many people ask me questions and the Go-Go Guru Guide will answer those questions and conundrums for you.
BANGKOK UPDATE - There is a necessity to keep the Thailand updates coming, because a number of people remain unsure about the situation here in Bangkok. I am still being asked if Bangkok is peaceful and if it is safe to visit. Yes, I can confirm that life in the Thai capital has returned to normal. In fact, Bangkok is too quiet for such a huge, sprawling metropolis. But, the good news is that there are no armed soldiers on the streets, no imposed curfews, no anti-government protests and no violence. If you don’t like crowded and conjested places, this makes it an ideal time to visit Bangkok right now.
WEATHER WATCH - We have received some heavy rain in Bangkok, but as of yet there are no daily downpours. The rainfalls cooler temperature does bring some relief to the searing heat and high humidity, because it has been an exceptional hot season, even by Thai standards.
In the social networking circles, they say that sharing is caring. Well, I just added two buttons to my website that will allow you to share my articles on Facebook and Twitter. There’s no need to waste time forwarding emails and links to your friends. It only takes a couple of clicks to share information on the internet with your community of friends. Time to get sharing ’n' caring!
I recall the ancient Chinese curse, ‘May you live in interesting times.’ Well, it has certainly been interesting times, if not downright frightening times in parts of Bangkok recently. Read the rest of this entry »
Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced this afternoon that the curfew has been lifted in Bangkok and 23 other provinces. Since May 14th, when clashes commenced between Thai security forces and ’red shirt’ anti-government protesters, over 80 people were killed and over 1,000 were injured. Thai PM Abhisit went on to say that the situation was under control and that there was no need to extend the curfew. Bangkok’s multitude of bars, pubs and nightclubs now have to try to entice customers back, which initially might not be an easy task. The good news is that Bangkok is back open late again. Let’s hope that from tonight we see a lot of people partying and perhaps blowing off some steam. It has been an anxious and frustrating period, but law and order is now restored in Bangkok. Party on!
