Asia Bugle Patong Report

[aussie dollar]

FROM CURRENT EDTION ASIA BUGLE
http://www.baronbonk.com/asiabugle_45hu4r7637.html


Prowler from Patong

Patong Beach: the Very Wet Gay Bikers’ Week!!!
After tsunami I said that there were a lot of properties changing hands and new business moving in. Unfortunately there has also been a downside to this. Several well-established bars have gone to the wall because the local landlords have jacked the rents up to an uneconomical level. At a time of rebuilding it would make sense to assist small business but not in Patong. Landlords scent money like sharks smell the blood of a wounded victim. Their attitude is kick ‘em out and get a new piece of fresh meat with more money.

One good turn of events is that at last the police and town council have decided to close Soi Bangla to traffic every night. They have been doing this for every festival and it makes the area more user-friendly. All deliveries have to be done before the street closes at 5pm. At first the local Tuk Tuks objected and protested but they then realised that this new system will work in their favour too. Now there are no big buses belching out black clouds of exhaust fumes into the bars at night.

We have had the first tsunami beach evacuation drill carried out with a great deal of international publicity. There were delegates from various countries to watch the proceedings. Our very own Mr Taksin was down hosting the event. This measure might reassure potential visitors that Patong Beach has a full safety plan in place. The pace of life in Patong is slow to say the least so any increase in tourist numbers will be welcome.
One thing that the TAT need to address is that there is a glaring gap in activities on Phuket from end of April to the start of the high season in November. This goes back to the old days when basically most things shut down for the low season, but, the beaches are still here and the temperatures still high. A lot of European travellers get their annual holidays in July and August and could be tempted to visit Phuket if there were some events to attend.

GONE TO THE WALL
Bars that have closed recently: "Champs Sports Bar" in Soi Katsup (end of
March) and "Happy Days" in Soi Patong Resort (beginning of March). In both
cases the landlord increased the rent to a level which made the operation unviable. Another popular bar that has recently gone the same way is "Booties Bar" in the Tiger complex. This bar went out in style with a big buffet and cheap drinks. If the amount of sore heads the next day are any indication, it was a good night.

FESTIVALS AND PARTIES
The middle of April was busy with three events back-to-back. First there
was the Patong Gay Festival with its procession along beach road finishing in the Paradise Complex. It was then followed by Songkran which was reasonably well controlled and over in two days. After that the Phuket Bike Week started. There were some very confused tourists at the end of it all who remember it as the very wet gay bikers’ week!! All three events had stages set up on the beach road and Soi Bangla closed off to traffic.

TWO BLACK SHEEP
This popular Kiwi-owned establishment on Ratutit Road is up for sale and already there have been several interested parties. Bill, the current owner, is in the land of good looking sheep at present and upon his return will decide who is the new owner. The word is that a likeable Irish husband and wife are looking favourite.

BIG SHOTS FROM BANGKOK
It always amazes me that people who have been a "big noise" in Bangkok (more like a legend in their own lunch box) come down here to Phuket and expect everything to work for them. I am informed that Terry who established "The Winchester Club" in Soi Sea Dragon is now out and gone to Pattaya. Apparently in Patong he took on a partner (to help defray the costs of a loss-making venture) and surprise surprise this partner was in league with several Thais (Make All Farrangs Insolvent Abruptly). Terry was ousted and is now in Pattaya bemoaning his losses. Anton, the other big fish, has now ended up taking a job in Rock Hard A Go Go!! All his separate bars projects have A Gone Gone!!

CAFE RIO
Situated at the ground floor under Rock Hard at top of Soi Bangla this cafe bar is becoming a more popular daytime meeting point. They have two computers for internet access for customers to use free of charge and the large open plan area is well air-conned. There are several pool tables as well as a large-screen TV for sports fans. The staff are attentive and the menu is varied and reasonably priced.
The only bug bear I have with the place is that they don't serve coffee in decent large mugs. When you order breakfast, you expect a trucker-sized bucket of coffee - not some namby pamby thimble-sized cup.

[LivinLOS]

Dont know who told him the Winchester story but lets just say thats 'a' version of events...

I do know that a few would love to know where 'in pattaya' our Tel may now be.. Shame as I liked the guy.

[JayBee]

Originally Posted by aussie dollar

FROM CURRENT EDTION ASIA BUGLE
http://www.baronbonk.com/asiabugle_45hu4r7637.html


Prowler from Patong

Patong Beach: the Very Wet Gay Bikers’ Week!!!
After tsunami I said that there were a lot of properties changing hands and new business moving in. Unfortunately there has also been a downside to this. Several well-established bars have gone to the wall because the local landlords have jacked the rents up to an uneconomical level. At a time of rebuilding it would make sense to assist small business but not in Patong. Landlords scent money like sharks smell the blood of a wounded victim. Their attitude is kick ‘em out and get a new piece of fresh meat with more money.

One good turn of events is that at last the police and town council have decided to close Soi Bangla to traffic every night. They have been doing this for every festival and it makes the area more user-friendly. All deliveries have to be done before the street closes at 5pm. At first the local Tuk Tuks objected and protested but they then realised that this new system will work in their favour too. Now there are no big buses belching out black clouds of exhaust fumes into the bars at night.

We have had the first tsunami beach evacuation drill carried out with a great deal of international publicity. There were delegates from various countries to watch the proceedings. Our very own Mr Taksin was down hosting the event. This measure might reassure potential visitors that Patong Beach has a full safety plan in place. The pace of life in Patong is slow to say the least so any increase in tourist numbers will be welcome.
One thing that the TAT need to address is that there is a glaring gap in activities on Phuket from end of April to the start of the high season in November. This goes back to the old days when basically most things shut down for the low season, but, the beaches are still here and the temperatures still high. A lot of European travellers get their annual holidays in July and August and could be tempted to visit Phuket if there were some events to attend.

GONE TO THE WALL
Bars that have closed recently: "Champs Sports Bar" in Soi Katsup (end of
March) and "Happy Days" in Soi Patong Resort (beginning of March). In both
cases the landlord increased the rent to a level which made the operation unviable. Another popular bar that has recently gone the same way is "Booties Bar" in the Tiger complex. This bar went out in style with a big buffet and cheap drinks. If the amount of sore heads the next day are any indication, it was a good night.

FESTIVALS AND PARTIES
The middle of April was busy with three events back-to-back. First there
was the Patong Gay Festival with its procession along beach road finishing in the Paradise Complex. It was then followed by Songkran which was reasonably well controlled and over in two days. After that the Phuket Bike Week started. There were some very confused tourists at the end of it all who remember it as the very wet gay bikers’ week!! All three events had stages set up on the beach road and Soi Bangla closed off to traffic.

TWO BLACK SHEEP
This popular Kiwi-owned establishment on Ratutit Road is up for sale and already there have been several interested parties. Bill, the current owner, is in the land of good looking sheep at present and upon his return will decide who is the new owner. The word is that a likeable Irish husband and wife are looking favourite.

BIG SHOTS FROM BANGKOK
It always amazes me that people who have been a "big noise" in Bangkok (more like a legend in their own lunch box) come down here to Phuket and expect everything to work for them. I am informed that Terry who established "The Winchester Club" in Soi Sea Dragon is now out and gone to Pattaya. Apparently in Patong he took on a partner (to help defray the costs of a loss-making venture) and surprise surprise this partner was in league with several Thais (Make All Farrangs Insolvent Abruptly). Terry was ousted and is now in Pattaya bemoaning his losses. Anton, the other big fish, has now ended up taking a job in Rock Hard A Go Go!! All his separate bars projects have A Gone Gone!!

CAFE RIO
Situated at the ground floor under Rock Hard at top of Soi Bangla this cafe bar is becoming a more popular daytime meeting point. They have two computers for internet access for customers to use free of charge and the large open plan area is well air-conned. There are several pool tables as well as a large-screen TV for sports fans. The staff are attentive and the menu is varied and reasonably priced.
The only bug bear I have with the place is that they don't serve coffee in decent large mugs. When you order breakfast, you expect a trucker-sized bucket of coffee - not some namby pamby thimble-sized cup.

Excellent report, AD! I really enjoyed reading it! Thanks!

[aussie dollar]

posted it didnt write it
link at top

[JayBee]

Originally Posted by aussie dollar

posted it didnt write it
link at top

I did understand that fact. What I meant to say is that it is an excellent report, thanks for posting it(not for writing it).

[aussie dollar]

just worried about plaglism and copyright (not sure of spelling)

[stevem]

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Dont know who told him the Winchester story but lets just say thats 'a' version of events...

I do know that a few would love to know where 'in pattaya' our Tel may now be.. Shame as I liked the guy.

Yea thought the same myself. Think I'll go and have a chat with the writer myself tonight, and find out what the story is.