Phuket Nightlife

PDM3 · #1 25-02-2004, 15:37

Hi all . . .

I have been following with some interest, the recent attempts (and by now decision) by the Thai Government to enact laws that effectively impose a curfew on all fare paying, accommodation paying, restaurant paying, excursion paying tourists, to this truely wonderful country. I believe that the annual income derived from Tourism is being rather under-estimated, and that, as far as I know at least, the Thai Government has not come up with a viable and realistic alternative in monetary terms for the hundreds of thousands of Thai people whose very existence is hinged on Tourist-related activities.

Should there be an International (albeit gradual) move away from holiday destinations in Thailand by the International Tourist, does the Thai Government have a 'Plan B'? . . . If so, what is it???

I note that one of the Government's concerns in imposing this curfew, was that of the prevention of the youth of Thailand frequenting Bars. I have seen very very few (male) Thais in any of the Bars I have been in (with the exception of Kareoke). As far as the notorious 'Bargirl' is concerned, what viable financial alternative is being offered to them by the Thai Government?

I would be interested to have some views . . .

Cheers

Pdm3

IRISH JONNY · #2 25-02-2004, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDM3

Hi all . . .

I note that one of the Government's concerns in imposing this curfew, was that of the prevention of the youth of Thailand frequenting Bars. I have seen very very few (male) Thais in any of the Bars I have been in (with the exception of Kareoke). As far as the notorious 'Bargirl' is concerned, what viable financial alternative is being offered to them by the Thai Government?

I would be interested to have some views . . .

Cheers

Pdm3

I TO HAVE SEEN VERY FEW THAI MALES OUT AT NITE.........
THE ONLY TIME I SEE THAI MALES IS VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING WHEN THESE GUYS ARE HEADING OFF TO THE CONSTUCTION SITE WHERE THEY WORK VERY HARD FOR VERY LITTLE MONEY..AS PDM SAYS THE BGs HAVE TO BREAK CURFEW IN ORDER TO SURVIVE......
THEN AGAIN I HAVE SEEN SOME LADIES WORKING IN CONSTRUCTION....
THE SOONER THE THAI GOVERNMENT SORT OUT THIS MESS[CLOSING HOURS] THE BETTER BECAUSE ON THE LONG RUN THE COUNTRY WILL LOSE MANY VISITORS...........

jsd · #3 03-03-2004, 13:07

Don't worry Jonny, you'll still find some places after the closing time. I was in BKK last week-end and I found a "nice spot" (with everything you need and even cheaper) closing at 10:00 am. This place is a bar with pool playing very good music ... many people and of course many cute thai ladies. According to me, Tourists will be not the most concerned by this new law. The consequences will be more for "normal" bars and discos. I'm sure you know very well Thailand and you know that everything is possible there ... especially when you can make money !!!

Jsd

Schmeen · #4 03-03-2004, 14:32

Why is it that foreigners seem to take this new law so personally......50 odd million Thai's and a new law is introduced directly to get at foreigners. It affects the Thai's far more than a few hundred thousand tourists in the country at any one time.

The zoning idea has been batted around for at least the last 15 years, if you are in the zones. no change.

Thai's in many many walks of life are fed up with being the brothel of the world. ALL Thai's I have spoken to support these measures if it cleans up some of the nightlife, they do not like their worldwide image. They despise Sukhumvit as the foreigners bring their 'whoring' right onto the main road. The Thai's believe in discretion and keeping their 'purchases' behind closed doors. Those shabby beer bars on Sukhumvit need forcing out, that's fact.

Why would bar girls be breaking the curfew to survive. To work in a bar you have to be 18. The curfew is under 18's, and again people support this as why on earth should children be out that late anyway? those poor exploited flower sellers need some protection.

For those that know RCA there is a huge amount of vacant land around it. Guess who bourght it last year. The wife of the PM. There's a clue to why zoning is no finally been introduced.

I think you'll find Thailand loses a hell of a lot of credibility in the business world with it's bad reputatiion, and how does anyone expect a country to be puled up into the First worls whilst this continues, it has to start somewhere and this is the time.

Of course, truth is it will probably never happen. Panic Not!

Sorry it's a bit disjointed, but I couldn't be bothered to set it all in the correct order, but these are my thoughts.

organic · #5 04-03-2004, 21:26

I often go out drinking with Thai mates, mainly like already said at karaoke places and most go on way later than the official hours. If the place we're at stops early and we want to carry on, someone gets a bottle of whisky at a supermarket and it goes discretely under the table at an all-night restaurant. So I don't see the closing hours affecting Thais very much at all, except for those poor buggers who work in bars that may well lose their jobs from it.

BTW I was in Patong recently and was amazed when the Bangla Rd. bars closed that some enterprising Thais set up 'beer stalls' - a few plastic chairs set up on the pavement and an 'eskie' full of ice and some drinks. Actually found them more fun than some of the proper bars, watching all the late night dramas unfold there.

K2 · #6 07-03-2004, 10:21

Well turned out to be a big yaaawwwn, but think Schmeen has got the 'feel' of current mood pretty much on the money. This whole thing with zoning is about ownership of these lucrative entertainment locales, and despite the climbdown I'm pretty sure zoning and licensing issues have yet to be resolved.

The point made about getting the P4P scene out of eyeshot is also valid, and realistically feasable with these new measures. You would never see scenes like Sukhumvit Rd or Bangla in Singapore, HK or Toyko, let alone LA, NYC, London or Paris!

Still we're relieved the status quo remains for now, although when Jungceylon opens in Jan '05, sure there will be some changes to 'encourage' the success of this vast complex.

Note that Star Club having holes which are likely to be windows put in the side - maybe would have made sense for Rock Hard to take over?... still doubt they will try reopen as a disco... well at least successfully.

OK happy partying all.