bibblies Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 If he's depressing and pessimistic, it's mainly because what he's saying is true. If you've been used to Bangkok in the nineties then it's obviously much, much worse. It's undeniable. Showing does make a whole lot of difference to me. When you're used to showing, it's a real pisser (like going back to the National Geograhic after years of hardcore porn.: Similarly, the lack of a proper after-hours venue, like the Grace or Thermae a few years ago, pisses me off. The street and other venues just aren't as convenient. As a stiff-upper lipped Brit I don't give a shit about the supposed threat of terrorism but the rest seems a true reflection of how I saw things on my last visit, in July. Over the last ten years, I've only seen it less fun at the end of 2001 when things were closing at 12.30 and there was even a crackdown on skimpy bikinis! Remember that? The notorious granny-knickers period?!:: We should thank our lucky stars we still get thongs! But it's got to impact business. Let's face it - your view of some girls can be completely influenced the moment they take off their bikinis... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torrenova Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Whatever changes have happened or however many further draconian measures are thought up by Toxin and his merry band of followers, Thailand and even Bangkok offer more than the vast majority of tourists or sanukers need. Sure, we would wish to turn the clock back but we cannot. Some will swap LOS for other places but I think the majority will remain faithful and keep on coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
short-time Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 ?It almost seems that this govt wants to rid the country of tourists!? I think your last statement would be spot on if you would have ended the sentence above with SEX tourists! Anyway, that?s the purpose of the crackdowns as I see them. Enough about that though. I?ll be arriving on Christmas day and have no intention of changing my travel plans even if they start closing the bars at midnight! I?ve done my best to play it safe and have divided up my time equally between BKK and Pattaya. While this time around I may not have as much fun bar hopping as in the past, I?m confident I will be able to turn something up! And if things should really take a turn for the worse between now and then, I do have a few phone numbers of ?special? girls for backup should things get really bad. Another reason to go is I want to be able to experience first hand the state of the nightlife this high season and not have to rely on others for this information. This way I can decide for myself if I will be returning next year or skip LOS altogether and head to AC or try someplace different. :: ST Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrX Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Poster do well to underline the different experiences ex-pats and tourists tend to have...(and to always have had?) Also the 'harder' scene is going a whisker under the parapet and no longer gets reported on here.. Minor question is why, as resident, doesnt Gadfly know about it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorro Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Zorro said ?It almost seems that this govt wants to rid the country of tourists!? ST said I think your last statement would be spot on if you would have ended the sentence above with SEX tourists! But if you look at their policies (please refer to previous post) and police enforcement it is not just the sex tourist that is being effected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 I would say the bulk is levied against sex tourist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torrenova Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 It is not just sex tourists who want a beer, in a place of their choosing, after 12am or 1am. The problem in Bangkok for the first time (and after) tourist is that most if not all the bars which you see outside hotels either cater to the pure Thai (read dangerous for your average tourist) or have girls propositioning customers. Your average guy on holiday with his missus usually has only a few days in Bangkok and all they see is what I have described above. I know, I was one of those guys many years ago. You're never going to stop the girls in the bars but if you want to knock off the sex trade, punish prostitution, close ST hotels - in fact, knock down places like the Nana, ban go-gos and severely punish. You're obviously going to drive some of it underground but your tourists will never see it. However, let them have a beer at 3am if they want one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man at Work Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Pianoman said:My only comment,, "The Worse day fishing is far better than the Best day of work"... Pianoman I hear you, I hear you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 So back many years ago when showing was not the norm was the nightlife in BKK not worth coming for? --- But this must be very looong time ago, i visit LOS since mid of the 80s, the scene never had the "no showing" problem like it has now since 2 years. :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 I disagree with your view that all tourist, including families, see only the sex trade part of Bangkok. I talk to a lot of tourist that have families, and I would say most never see the sex trade part of Bangkok. When one tours the palace, where is the sex trade? And what about all other tourist places - where are the sex trade part being featured at those places? You saw the sex trade, probably because that is what you wanted to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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