Comments on: Thailand Night Fever

By: drinkfukkd

drinkfukkd — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 03:36:46 +0000

Well done Dave on this weeks blog.
EURO 08 IS CRAP BECAUSE NO ENGLAND.
If you want more happy hours,i say visit a Mom&Pop store,stock up on all kinds of alcohol,my happy hour is 24/7,playing good music,Clapton,Floyd,Pistols,Clash,REM,Olivers Army,XTC.
When ive had my fill,i dont have to worry about ataxi driver pulling a gun or knife on me,its happened b4,yip sam,he was parked up,i allways get taxi thats moving now.
Got 2 go bars open

By: martin99z

martin99z — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 03:25:55 +0000

I have to say that in the last two years I have never ever barfined a girl from NEP, in fact I can’t even remember the last time I went into a bar there

If I have visitors who want a night out I will go to Cowboy, but otherwise I don’t even go there

Patpong? fargeddabartit

Plenty of very goodlooking girls are available in beer bars, bars, pool halls, clubs, discos all over Bangkok at a fraction of the price and - frankly - offering twice as much fun

By: Dave The Rave

Dave The Rave — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:56:15 +0000

Hi Ian, I think you are right about the fuel surcharges, this could well be a problem. Let’s hope that the situation settles down.

By: Dave The Rave

Dave The Rave — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:47:39 +0000

Hi Lee, I can’t understand why the bars that are struggling don’t do something about it. I agree that not many bars in Nana Plaza offer a Happy Hour and/or any real entertainment. However, (as you pointed out) at least Angelwitch Go-Go Bar invest a lot of time, money and effort into professionally choreographed shows. The Rainbow Go-Go Bars in Nana Plaza might not suit everybodies taste, but they do invest time and money into hiring a large number of attractive go-go dancers. But, in saying that it is a fact that a number of things are contributing to create a bad low season this year. Regarding the “locals in BKK” quote, I think it’s true to a degree. Unfortunately, a lot of ex-pat residents have had to relocate. For various reasons, a lot of companies have moved to other countries. For example, many guys that Matt and I have known for years, are no longer in Thailand. The big picture is more than just the price of a drink. Like you said Lee, let’s hope that things improve. In the meantime, this means more girls and less guys. Happy hunting!

By: Ian Entwistle

Ian Entwistle — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:21:33 +0000

Just one more thought. This morning I went to check the airline fare to Europe. The ‘fuel surcharge’ added to the regular fare went up about 15,000 baht (more than 400 US Dollars). I think, according to the local statistics, that the number of arrivals this year is still OK. However, possibly the number of visitors to Thailand (and not only for nightlife entertainment) will reduce dramatically starting this year. Maybe the next high season will turn out to be a prolongation of the present low season.

By: Lee

Lee — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:46:39 +0000

Thanks for the update Dave. You are spot on when you say that many of the gogo bars are leading to their own demise. It certainly is a “vicious circle” with fewer customers leading to fewer ladies leading to fewer customers and so on. Bangkok is fortunate in that being the capital city, it is not completely dead during low season like Pattaya is. However as Ian pointed out, very few bars seem to cater to locals in BKK. It is a HUGE opportunity missed. Tilac in Soi Cowboy has always had steady business inspite of often having a less than stellar lineup of gals because they sponsor a softball team, host local events, have a good happy hour and do many other things to be a “locals hangout.” It has always been assumed that (except for Tilac) beer bars were the hangout for local guys and gogo bars were for tourists. Again you were accurate when you stated that very few gogos do anything to improve themselves. I would add also that they do little to justify their prices . In Nana Plaza, the Rainbow bars are worth visiting for their incredible assortment of hot gals, Angelwitch for their professionally run shows, and 80% of the remaining bars have done nothing to improve, or justify the steep price increases. This week I was in Big Dogs and Golden Beer Bars and had to fight for a decent seat both nights, and also was in Gullivers twice and it was jumping. Can anything be done to curtail this “vicious spiral” in the gogos or wil the cream (Rainbow, Angelwithch etc.) keep doing well and the others just die on the vine? I guess only time will tell. Personally I always enjoyed the gogos so I hope they can return to their former glory.

By: Dave The Rave

Dave The Rave — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:38:18 +0000

Ian Entwistle, there is no assumption here, because quite a lot of bars in Bangkok do not close until 2:00-3:00am. Those of us who live here know that - Patpong, Soi Nana, Soi Cowboy, etc. Also, many resident ex-pats have left Thailand - again we know this. Lowering drink prices is no good if the bar still has no management and no concept. Parts of Pattaya are DEAD yet the prices are rock bottom. Have a think about that.

By: Ian Entwistle

Ian Entwistle — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:05:18 +0000

What is this assumption that the EURO 2008 affects the nightlife? Most games start just before 2 A.M., when the bars are already closed.
Regarding a so-called low season : The tourists are gone, but the long-term residents are still there. They have no reason to avoid the bars at certain parts of the year. I would suggest that during the low season bars could benefit by attracting the long-term residents, and the way to do it is by lowering the prices for drinks.
Sorry about that, I know it annoys you to receive this kind of message from so-called cheap charlies.