Traditional Thai New Year known as Songkran has kicked off early this year. It’s only April 12th, but the water wars are well under way in Pattaya and Bangkok.
Here in Bangkok, the last day of the water wars is April 15th, but down in Pattaya it continues for at least a week. If you really hate the water fights, there is no escaping it down in Pattaya. (more…)
PAVEMENT PUB PATROL IN BANGKOK’S CONCRETE JUNGLE
Nowadays, taking a late night stroll down lower Sukhumvit Road is very different to what it used to be years ago. A continuous row of makeshift mobile bars set up shop after midnight along lower Sukhumvit, right on the roadside. The pavement pubs stretch from Sukhumvit Soi 3/1, right along towards Sukhumvit Soi 19. Some of the pavement pubs sell booze from around midnight until cockcrow. Most of the pavement pubs charge 80 baht for a standard drink, which is reasonable enough. However, this concrete jungle is a dodgy place, with various creatures of the night on the prowl. (more…)
NANA PLAZA BY DAVE THE RAVE 2009
This Friday, May 8th is Visakha Bucha Day. It is a very important Buddha Day, which unfortunately falls on a Friday. It is looking very very probable that the bars and other nightlife entertainment venues will be closed on Friday. I want to give you some notice in order that you can plan for the weekend. Saturday night will now become the main party night for the weekenders among you. I think you will find that this applies widespread across Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui. Time to stock up the fridge with booze for Friday, visit a restaurant, or watch a movie. Alternatively, there will be additional reinforcements to swell the number of freelancers. If there are any changes, I will keep you posted.
Fortunately, the proposed alcohol ban for the forthcoming Songkran Thai New Year celebrations has been lifted. Previously, there was confusion surrounding Songkran, because some factions of the Thai government proposed an alcohol ban during Thai New Year (traditionally April 13-15th). Wisely, the Thai government did the sensible thing and the alcohol ban was opposed by the vast majority. The Thai government do not want to further damage an already weakened tourist industy. This means we can all get wet on the inside, as well as the outside. Party on!
Today is Chakri Dynasty Day, which is a national holiday in Thailand. I’m pleased to announce that the bars, go-go bars and other entertainment venues in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket will be open as normal. Good news for a booze cruise!
Today I woke up on Boxing Day morning and the world was much the same for me, as it was yesterday on Christmas Day. But, for thousands of people their world was changed forever on Boxing Day 2004. It is exactly 4 years to the day that the deadliest Tsunami in recorded history devastated the tropical island of Phuket. On Koh Phi Phi alone out of the 3,000 people on the island that morning only 1,500 people survived. It was a devastating loss of life.
My good friend Aaron Le Boutillier was on Koh Phi Phi that fateful morning, but fortunately he survived. Aaron has since then published “And Then One Morning” which tells the harrowing tale of the horror he witnessed. This is a very special book. It is not only well written, but the most important thing is – ALL AUTHOR ROYALTIES TO BE DONATED TO THE VICTIMS OF THE TSUNAMI.
BOXING DAY IN BANGKOK (PHOTO COURTESY OF STICKMAN)
LEST WE FORGET – Please take a moment to visit the Page that I have entitled, “Tsunami Thailand.”
THAILAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT UPDATE
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueng Airports remain closed for a seventh consecutive day. However, the PAD anti-government protesters have “allowed” almost 40 planes to fly out of Suvarnabhumi Airport, albeit empty.
The following airports across Thailand are operational – Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui, Hat Yai and U-Tapao.
Regularly updated information about Thailand’s international airports can be found on Stickman’s website.
Later Closing Times Are Reinstated In Bangkok
Once again, later closing times have been reinstated across the nightspots in Bangkok. While some people might not care either way, later closing times are essential for Bangkok’s nightlife industry. Foreign visitors and expat residents alike want to go out and enjoy themselves. Regarding the bar owners, less trading hours means considerably less takings. It is no fun going along to your favourite bar only to see the boys in brown close it early. Similar to any other country, the nightlife areas do not get going until later on in the evening. Most people are looking to hit the town after their meal and some relaxation time. We humans are such creatures of habit; we just won’t go out any earlier, no matter what time the bars close. While Bangkok’s nightspots revert back to 2:00am closing, it’s evident that there is more on display in some of the go-go bars. (more…)
DAVE THE RAVE’S BIRTHDAY BASH
I will try to get Thailand Night Fever online as early as I can today, because it’s my birthday. Give or take the odd week here and there, my birthday coincides with several anniversaries. As coincidence would have it, my first trip to Thailand was 20 years ago in May 1988. On May 20th, I will have been in Angelwitch for 3 years. Also, this year sees me commence my 10th consecutive year in Nana Plaza, as the Go-Go Guru. As you can see guys, 2008 is a rather significant year for Dave The Rave. If you are in Bangkok, you are most welcome to help me celebrate my birthday tonight. I will be in Angelwitch Go-Go Bar in Nana Plaza. If you cannot make it don’t worry, because belated birthday wishes are always appreciated. I look forward to seeing some of you later tonight. I just hope that I manage to “survive” my birthday bash… Cheers! (more…)
NANA PLAZA — AN EARLY TREK INTO THE NEON JUNGLE
If you are looking for a place in Nana Plaza to start your “booze cruise” there are a few options. I think that most of you guys know that Big Dog’s Bar is a popular choice. Not just because of its location, but also because Big Dog’s is genuinely a good place to hang out. With two shifts of bargirls, why wouldn’t it be? Big Dog’s Bar is a favourite choice of oasis for bestselling author Stephen
Leather. For the uninitiated, Stephen Leather is the author of Private Dancer. While we are on the subject, if you enjoyed Private Dancer, you might want to read Confessions Of A Bangkok Private Eye. Steve was the ghost-writer for a series of real private eye investigations in Bangkok by Warren Olson. Some people are unaware that Steve is a bestselling thriller writer. His latest thriller is Dead Men. Steve has just returned to Bangkok for a break away from Farangland. (more…)
CELEBRATING ST. PATRICK’S DAY IN BANGKOK (PART ONE)
Today is a special Monday, because it is St. Patrick’s Day. For the uninitiated, St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated worldwide, but it is a particularly HUGE celebration in America… As I walked inside, I surveyed the scene and within a few seconds, I spotted my friend Rob. We had arranged to meet at Bully’s Pub, which is located next to the JW Marriott Hotel on Sukhumvit Road. There was a large table available, so we sat down and soaked up the relaxing atmosphere. Previously, this place was nothing more than a mere shell, but the new owner ET has done a terrific job of improving it. We can forget those early days, because Bully’s Pub is now established as one of the most popular pubs in Bangkok. And, I was about to find out why. Although it was only 6:00pm, already a crowd was starting to build. Bully’s Pub draws large crowds and even though it is a large pub, it fills up at peak trading hours. (more…)
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