Archive for February, 2008
Wednesday, February 27th, 2008
THE SMOKING BAN DEBATE CONTINUES
I have to say that I am a bit surprised at how much of a debate the smoking ban has become. This seems to be a very important issue to some Westerners, while other people feel there are bigger problems to deal with. Down in Soi Cowboy, the smoking ban has been enforced in every bar. Smokers can be seen having a cigarette outside the bars in Soi Cowboy. Some smokers are openly displaying their disdain for the new law. Meanwhile, non-smokers are arguing that it is high time that smoking is banned in all bars right across Thailand. Non-smokers are clearly saying butt out! On the other hand, there are smokers who feel hard done by after all these years.
In Nana Plaza, the authorities have not enforced the smoking ban. Non-smokers should be aware of this fact. However, in Angelwitch Go-Go Bar they have banned the Thai staff from smoking inside the bar. This is something of a compromise to the situation. Customers are allowed to smoke in all of the four Rainbow Bars. Therefore, rival go-go bars do not want to lose customers to them. The smoking ban has to be a rule for all if it is going to work. (more…)
Tags: After Dark Asia, Amazing Thailand, America, Angelwitch Go-Go Bar, Angelwitch Go-Go Bars, Bargirls, beer bars, Black & White Go-Go Bar, Black Swan, Bullys Pub, DAVE THE RAVE, Dean Barrett, Deja Vu, Duke Of Wellington, Fluid Asia Pacific, Go-Go Guru, Jamesons, John Smith's Extra Smooth Bitter, JW Marriott Hotel, Kronenbourg, Kronenbourg Draught Beer, Midnite, Nana Plaza, Our Place, Patpong, PATTAYA, Rainbow bars, Shadow Sports Bar, Shebas Go-Go Bar, Silom, smoking ban, Soi Cowboy, Soi Cowboy go-go bars, Spice Girls, Stickman, Strongbow Cider, Suzie Wong Go-go bar, Thai, Thai Elections, Thai government, Thailand, THAILAND NIGHT FEVER, Tilac Go-Go Bar, Winking Frog
Posted in BANGKOK, GO-GO BARS, NEWS & VIEWS, PATTAYA, PUBS & CLUBS, THAILAND NIGHT FEVER | 4 Comments »
Friday, February 22nd, 2008
BANGKOK & PATTAYA BARS ARE OPEN THIS WEEKEND
Once again, some people find themselves in a state of confusion about this weekend. In fact, there is so much confusion that some farangs have left Thailand to party in neighbouring countries. This time around, a Buddhist holiday coincided with yet more Government Elections. What I NOW KNOW is that certain most bars in Bangkok and Pattaya are open on Saturday and Sunday. Technically, it should be strictly “NO ALCOHOL” but there will be places across Thailand that discretely serves booze. Your “coke” will be graciously enhanced and certain bars will be serving “special tea.” Nudge, nudge, wink, wink… if you know what I mean! Do you remember the last Elections? Down in Club Electric Blue in Patpong, there was a special drink that guys swear tastes just like real beer. It’s amazing!
Right across Bangkok, you will see that some small bars will not bother to open. It is just not worth the time and effort for smaller bars. Unless a bar has an attraction other than booze, why would they bother to open?
BANGKOK UPDATE - For some reason Soi Cowboy was closed last night, but a bar owner told me that Soi Cowboy will be open Saturday and Sunday. Good news!
The bars in Pattaya have been told they must close by the police and closure papers have been issued. However, some bars will be playing the waiting game to see if they can open. It is possibly worth checking around Pattaya, because it is rumoured that some bars will try to open this weekend. Unfortunately, if last time is anything to go by, the police might not allow any bars in Pattaya to open.
PATTAYA UPDATE - A last minute decision has allowed the bars in Pattaya to open last night. I am not sure what alcohol will be available, but at least the bars are open. Hooray!
Regarding the party animals, you guys could do with a deserved break from the booze, which includes Dave The Rave. Let your poor suffering bodies have a couple of nights off getting smashed. Although we know it is due to the Government Elections, this weekend could be called “Health Awareness Weekend!”
Tags: BANGKOK, bars, Club Electric Blue, DAVE THE RAVE, Patpong, PATTAYA, Soi Cowboy, Thailand
Posted in BANGKOK, GO-GO BARS, NEWS & VIEWS, PATTAYA, PUBS & CLUBS | 6 Comments »
Wednesday, February 20th, 2008
SMOKING BAN IN A STATE OF CONFUSION
With some bars allowing smoking and other bars not, it does make the smoking ban look like a farce. There are establishments where the so-called smoking ban has not been enforced whatsoever. Once again, go-go bars are at the centre of the controversy. In the Lumpini area (lower Sukhumvit Road), the Hotels and restaurants have been told they must enforce the smoking ban, but some bars in Nana Plaza are currently exempt. In stark contrast, further along Sukhumvit Road, the bars in Soi Cowboy have been told to comply to the new law. Down in Pattaya, a number of the go-go bar owners are allowing smoking, but they have been told to be discrete. Word from Thai sources is that the smoking ban will be enforced eventually, but currently there is a grace period. Understand that if you can! Thailand’s Ministry Of Health (rather than the police) will apparently be checking to see who is complying to the smoking ban. After May 31st, 2008 all hotels and public establishments must comply to the smoking ban, or face a 20,000 Baht fine. So far, it looks like the ban has gone up in a cloud of smoke. Meanwhile folks, it’s just another moment in the Land Of Make-Believe. (more…)
Tags: After Dark Asia, Ambassador Hotel, Americans, Angelwitch Go-Go Bar, Angelwitch Go-Go Bars, BANGKOK, Bangkok Bank, bar, Bar Code, barfines, Bargirls, Black & White Go-Go Bar, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Coyotees Go-Go Bar, Dance Contest, DAVE THE RAVE, Dean Barrett, Dollhouse, Erotica, Erotica Pool House, go-go bar, GO-GO BARS, Go-Go Dance Contest, go-go dancers, Go-Go Guru, Happy Hour, Hollywood Carousel, Hollywood Carousel Go-Go Bar, Hooties Go-Go Bar, hotels, katoeys, lady-boys, Living Dolls 1 Go-Go Bar, Living Dolls Showcase, Lumpini, Mercury Go-Go Bar, Nana Plaza, Northern Thailand, PATTAYA, restaurants, service girls, Shadow Sports Bar, Shebas Go-Go Bar, Sisterz Go-Go Bar, smoking ban, Soi Cowboy, Soi Marine Plaza, Spice Club, Stickman, Sukhumvit Road, Suzie Wong Go-go bar, Thai, Thai Baht, Thailand, Tilac Go-Go Bar, Tom Cruise, Walking Street
Posted in BANGKOK, GO-GO BARS, NEWS & VIEWS, PATTAYA, PUBS & CLUBS, THAILAND NIGHT FEVER | 5 Comments »
Wednesday, February 13th, 2008
ROMANTIC REMINDER – CUPID’S CALLING
Some of you less romantic folks might need a reminder that it is Valentine’s Day tomorrow. This is to jog your memory, because you know what us men are like for remembering special days. Try not to forget a card, or gift for the special person in your life. It is not too late to surprise your teerak (sweetheart) by arranging a romantic dinner for two. Just by making the effort, I am sure that it will be appreciated. We should get away with being a Romantic Romeo and not be accused of getting too soppy by our macho mates. Wherever you spend this year’s Valentine’s Day, I sincerely hope you have a pleasant time. Who will be your Valentine? (more…)
Tags: Angelwitch, Angelwitch Go-Go Bars, Apache Bar, Asia, Baccara, Baccara Go-Go Bar, BANGKOK, Carnival Go-Go Bar, Chinese, coyote, Coyote Bar, DAVE THE RAVE, Dean Barrett, Deja Vu, go-go bar, go-go dancers, go-go girl, go-go girls, Go-Go Guru, Hollywood Carousel, Japanese, Long Gun, Midnite, Nana Plaza, Night Fever, Our Place Go-Go Bar, Raw Hide, service girl, Shark Bar, smoking ban, Soi 15, Soi Cowboy, Spice Girls, Stickman Bangkok, Thai, Thailand, Thais, Valentines Day, Walking Street
Posted in BANGKOK, GO-GO BARS, NEWS & VIEWS, PUBS & CLUBS, THAILAND NIGHT FEVER | 16 Comments »
Wednesday, February 6th, 2008
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR
OK, it is a day early, but I want to wish all of you the very best of luck for the Year Of The Rat. Chinese New Year’s falls on February 7th – 9th this year. Hey guys, not sure if you are into Chinese, but you could treat yourself to a takeaway. Just pay bar for a little sweet and sour, or a spicy chick! You will instantly know that it is the Chinese New Year festival known as “Trut Chin” in Thailand, because the noise of cymbals clashing, drums bashing and firecrackers exploding permeates the atmosphere. This very distinctive sound echoes throughout Thailand and nowhere more prevalent than in Chinatown in Bangkok. Tomorrow evening in Chinatown the procession of lion and dragon dancers will entertain the onlookers. The Chinese do not do things in half measures and this delightful festival is by far one of the most colourful and exciting events in Thailand. (more…)
Posted in BANGKOK, GO-GO BARS, NEWS & VIEWS, PATTAYA, THAILAND NIGHT FEVER | 8 Comments »