Pissing off the punters...

[LivinLOS]

OK, so its Dec 23 / 24 night.. Christmas is here.. Time for a little slack in closing times considering the next 3 days are tonight Christmas eve / day and the day after but nope..

'Big police' in town (so I am told by 3 bar owners) and they are 'evaluating' if the bars should be 1, 2, or 3 am.. Well call me a cynic but I said when they bought off the strike with a 'hopeful' 'promised' 3 AM that never came (but it sure got everyone back to work didnt it ??) but I dont see Patong getting any special 3 AM deals when Samui and Pattaya would scream if they did not also get it so...

Sure seems to me like another bait and switch to make everyone behave and be quiet during the most important 3 days of the whole calender !!!! Bars in Tiger were told not to have pole and bar dancing (though they started to get back up at about 12 or so) and to adhere strctly to the 2 AM shutdown if they did not want to blow it and see 1 am 'enforced'..

Sure nough 1.55 music off and lights up.. Sure you can go to superstars (hey he installed the police networks system in a few of thier offices I am told) but in general its drinks from eskies and on the streets..

What bullsh1t !!! 'big police' happens to pick 24, 25, and 26 to come and make this inspection.. Just another slap in the face to bar owners and nightlife fans in Patong again.. Really looking like they want this place to become couples with thier kid destination..

Could they make a larger impression on a higher number of tourists than picking these 3 nights for a clampdown ?? Idiots..

Turn the lights out when you leave gentlemen..

[Nicke]

I havent heard anything about this crackdown and music stopped at maybe 2:40 today.

Earlier years bars were allowed to stay open all night both Christmas eve and new year, we will see what happen this year. (Last year Christmas eve was not publically announced to be able to stay open all night but we could do it anyway, officially only new year is allowed to stay open all night.)

[LivinLOS]

All bars I spoke to were in Tiger.. My girl was ill so I was simply waiting for approx closure but lights came up and sounds came down and I drank up.. Multiple owners said that someone is in town to evaluate our opening times (with the obvious threatening overtones) but to pick these 3 nights to do it seems like an obvious statement.

There has been an official statement on late night for new year (wont be here) but we will see for Christmas eve tonight.

[butterflyblonde]

On the subject of closing times, I did read recently on Thai Visa that Bangkok entertainment venues will be allowed to stay open till 6am this year on New Years Eve.
With any luck this will go ahead and maybe it will be the same for pattaya and phuket. Chok dee to all that are out there.

[geespot]

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

All bars I spoke to were in Tiger.. My girl was ill so I was simply waiting for approx closure but lights came up and sounds came down and I drank up.. Multiple owners said that someone is in town to evaluate our opening times (with the obvious threatening overtones) but to pick these 3 nights to do it seems like an obvious statement.

There has been an official statement on late night for new year (wont be here) but we will see for Christmas eve tonight.

The music always stops at 2am in Tiger, it is now the 1st soi to close down, but I think this is to do with the management at Tiger who want the punters to head to Tiger Disco for the last 30 minutes

Kathu municipal have been inspecting the paperwork at many bars in Patong, but this was just routine. My bar was inspected but no problem

I fell in the door at 6am Superstar & Di Di's - soi sansabai

G

[Nicke]

Yes, this has been the case every year. Also same for Christmas Eve althought it is not announced in public. I think Tiger disco closed at 08 or something last year on New Years Eve.

Originally Posted by butterflyblonde

On the subject of closing times, I did read recently on Thai Visa that Bangkok entertainment venues will be allowed to stay open till 6am this year on New Years Eve.
With any luck this will go ahead and maybe it will be the same for pattaya and phuket. Chok dee to all that are out there.

[stevem]

Both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve are listed as 6am closing. But whats the point this year, hardly anyone around.

[butterflyblonde]

Originally Posted by stevem

Both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve are listed as 6am closing. But whats the point this year, hardly anyone around.

I'm very surprised to hear that as i remember many bm's here talking about having difficulty in getting hotels/flights.

I was looking at the Mai thai cam earlier and i know you can't judge from that but Soi Eric certainly looked like it was cooking on gas.

Is it really that dead in patong now ?

[Coyotee]

Originally Posted by butterflyblonde

I'm very surprised to hear that as i remember many bm's here talking about having difficulty in getting hotels/flights.

I was looking at the Mai thai cam earlier and i know you can't judge from that but Soi Eric certainly looked like it was cooking on gas.

Is it really that dead in patong now ?

OK OK I will fly over tomorrow and check whether it is dead or not

and then I will give an independent grading whether:

A. fully alive and throbbing

B. Alive

C. Under resuscitation

D. Dead



Malaysian

[stevescottcfi]

I had little problem getting a room at the Hilltop 4 days ago. Pretty short notice. Inn BKK. Leave for Patong tomorrow.

[stevem]

Last night seemed to be alot better than the previous nights. Bangla was almost normal, where you cant walk on the footpath and have to take the road. A good sign in my books.

[LivinLOS]

Just curious as I was not in Bangla last night (sore head Party and mega food spread etc at my mates Bar on Nanai) I know we finished up at about 4 there and went back to my buddies for a few nightcaps until the sun was up (great night actually)... But what was the story...

Perhaps it was more chinese whispers and bar talk but it just seemed such a slap in the face it wound me right up.