As we come to the end of 2007, I have decided to select various pieces from the Dave The Rave Bangkok Blog over the past year…
THE ORIGINS AND REASONS BEHIND “THAILAND NIGHT FEVER.”
November 2006 - Hold tight riders, here we go! This is the very first edition of “Thailand Night Fever” the Thailand nightlife newsletter from yours truly Dave the Rave - the Go-Go Guru. Not only will you get my reviews and reports, rants and raves, but all kinds of related topics and eventually photos too. Yes, you heard me right it will include photos of Thailand’s nightlife, and that means Thai babes too. From my notes, quotes and anecdotes, comes this review column and I will endeavour to report objectively and with a true sense of accuracy. My goal is just two words – informative and entertaining. (more…)
I would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas. Wherever you may be for Christmas this year, I hope you have a pleasant time. Whether you are partying in Thailand, or spending quality time with your families, I sincerely wish you all the best. It certainly does not feel like the Christmas climate here in Bangkok. I thought it was supposed to be the cool season and yet, even the Thais are complaining how scorching HOT it is. In the afternoons the temperatures have soared. I suppose you could say that in Bangkok it is a “white hot” Christmas! 
It is the season to be jolly, or is it? The whole Christmas carnival is an extremely expensive affair in Farangland, amid this modern age of extortion. Some families put money aside all year just for a short, but painfully costly Christmas. Of course, not wishing to put a total negative spin on it, the kids love it. I dare say the BIG kids love it too! Dads’ have a legitimate excuse to get smashed drunk and mums’ have a license to put a large dent in the family bank account. A lot of kids’ nowadays do not ask what gifts they are getting, but instead unashamedly demand what they want. I think it is all one BIG consumer racket. When you consider all the time, money and effort, it is remarkable that this if for only two days. However, in saying that it is one time of year that farang families get together. Although I am obviously not a fan of the commercial side of Christmas, I do miss Christmas Day with my family. I really should make the effort to go back to England for Christmas one of these years…
Following the recent dry spell across Thailand, we are now green for go! Tonight marks the return of alcohol and more importantly the tourist areas can open their bars. Pattaya Police in particular, took harsh measures by immediately closing any go-go bar that attempted to open on Friday night. As one established Pattaya go-go bar owner said to me, “The Pattaya go-go bar owners will lose five nights takings this December.” This is a crushing blow to some bars in Pattaya that are quite clearly struggling. Not to mention all the poor farangs who have flown across the world to party in Thailand. Anyway, the bars right across Thailand will be open and serving alcohol from tonight (December 16th). All together now lads, “HOORAY!” 
Sorry to say that next week on December 22nd and December 23rd, these are most likely to be “NO ALCOHOL” nights. December 23rd is the BIG ONE because this is the day of the Thai Elections. Thank the Lord when all this nonsense is over! As you know, millions of people from all corners of the globe fly to Thailand. Not surprisingly, all of us farangs are totally baffled, because we know we cannot vote. Furthermore, most of us would have no intentions to vote even if we could. Why should Westerners have to suffer the ban on alcohol? The Thai authorities really dropped a clanger this year. 
The forthcoming Elections in Thailand have created 
Here in the City Of Angels, the go-go bars and beer bars in Bangkok are allowed to open. There is a strict “NO ALCOHOL” policy in place, but few of the boys in brown were even bothered to check around Patpong, Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza last night. Some bars in Bangkok have decided not to open. For smaller bars this is probably wise, as no money can be effectively made. Most places are not daring to take any chances, because the authorities are making harsh threats to the bars. Not much booze available, but babes are still available! 
His Majesty King Bhumibol celebrates his birthday today. His Majesty has turned a monumental 80 years old. If you were not aware, King Bhumibol is King Rama 9 of the Chakri Dynasty. His Majesty is revered as a god by many devout Buddhists and he remains the longest reining monarch in the world. Here in the City Of Angels, every road will be lined with people paying their respects. His Majesty King Bhumibol is without a doubt, one of the most beloved King’s in Thailand’s history. Probably even more so than last year, a sea of saffron will sweep across Bangkok, when multitudes of Thais will don their Royal Coronation shirts. Congratulations and celebrations to a truly noble Royal leader. Long live the King!