khunsanuk Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 Hi, Just got of the phone with a British friend of mine, who looks Arab. Because of that he was refused entry in just about every place in NEP he tried to walk into, even after mentioning he was British. In Playskool the even pulled out some clubs after he said "Fuck it, I'm going in anyway". Luckily for him a girl working there recognized him and ran out to escort him in. He mentioned that while this happened in pretty much any bar (as well as Baccara in SC, and often in Pattaya), it only happened if he was alone. If he went with white friends there was never any problem. Don't know about you, but this kind of crap pisses me off! Sanuk! PS I know this is hear-say, but his word is good enough for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 Agree, this is crap. What really pisses me off is that the root of this is not the Thais persay. Obviously this chap did nothing personally to to deserve this treatment. Nor has the Arab looking world done anything to the Thais. But perceptions count and the Thais, as well as many others want to feel they are a reflection of modern culture. Unfortunately for this chap, the current anti Arab sentiment whipped up by US is filtering down through the populist media, and becoming more dangerous than real conflict. Just as jews became a symbol to be hated in europe in the 30's, japs in the 40's, chinks and gooks, in the 50's and 60's, we now have the arab world being the designated "enemy". As this propaganda continues to gain momentum and credibility amongst the masses, resentments based on nothing other than paranoia, become real person to person confrontations. Would of hated to be the Arab corner shopkeeper in US or UK after 9/11. Now it comes to the Land of Smiles and tolerance. SAD ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarisin Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 I think I know who you are talking about KS. I have been out with him before and had BGs ask me if he was black, Arab, or what. I told them it doesn't matter. He is jai-dee and that is all they should be concerned with. Too bad that never seems to be the case. You are right, though, that the problem seems to occur only when there are only Arabs, blacks, etc. or they are alone. I have never had this problem when they went out with me. More bullshit. It sounds like the door people, staff, whoever, in a number of bars, particularly Playskool need a bit of training from the powers that be, i.e., their bosses. This crap should not be tolerated anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted January 21, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 Hi, "I think I know who you are talking about KS." Yes, you do. We saw him a week ago, with 'the ancient one' Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 I heard/ know of this from many beer bars in Pattaya. There, arab looking people are welcomed to have a drink, but taking out a girl is not/ will not be encouraged. It is sad, that things seem to worsen in NP. I was in Long Gun, SC, last night and beside me were two arab looking people sitting. They were served and treated from the girls as good as any other customer. So, this policy seems not to apply there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoiledCowboy Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 I guess that we have all noticed the signs outside some bars in NEP that warn-off Arabs - and I don't think that it is directly a result of Sept 11 hysteria as the signs look like they have been up for a while. The most abrupt sign I ever saw telling Arabs not to bother is in an "Aussie" bar in Pattaya, Walking Street - it is embarrassing to just about everyone and would imagine that it would be very provocative to any group if it mentioned them instead - replace the word Arab with Englishmen and let's see the reaction for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 I concur, this is really sad. I remember a trip in mid 99 when I ran amok with 3 Iranian lads, one had been living in the UK for years and his mates had been out of the country for a while too. I remember a few odd moments with barstaff and the like, but we never let it worry us and I regard these guys as the best sanuking crew I have ever run with. A reality check is needed, and quickly at that. I spent last friday night in my local RSL club in Brisbane defending the majority of honest aussie muslims to friends of my sister and her hubby. These people were just suburban dolts with no understanding of the outside world, but their bile and vitriol stemmed from the populist press and the worst excess and lies of the current (un)Australian govt. The guy even had the cheek to tell me he'd be afraid to go to a place like Thailand and would immediately have a bloodtest on return, what a bozo. Anyhow KS, I hope it doesnt spoil your mate's trip and experience of LOS, and good on you Sarasin for defending this chap's jai-dee! Cheers Jaga Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 For long years there was a sign in the right hand bar in the entrance of NEP that said: "We do not cater Arab people as we respect your religion and do not want to tempt you with our pretty ladies and alcoholic drinks". (or similar words). I did see the sign in 1984 for the first time (my first visit to Bangkok). So, nothing new under the sun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirit_of_town_hall Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 In the wake of the massacre in Bali its understandable that some Australians have a negative view of Muslims, and to be honest they are entitled to their views... after all Australia is a fully functioning democracy and people can hold negative views as long as they are not inciting violence against a body of people. The arab world at the moment is receiving a negative press. Lets ask ourselves what has happened over the past 24 months, 9/11, the war against the Taliban, Anthrax attacks and most recently the grotesque massacre of young people ( mainly Australians in Bali ) I would be a little perplexed if the media hadnt cast muslims in a negative light. Merely reporting the news is casting muslims in a negative light to some. Of course its unfair on an individual basis, when people are turned away from go go's night clubs etc, however you can understand where they are coming from... maybe the hello girls arent as worldly as a lot people on this forum and all they see is an arab looking person.. Maybe the local police have told all the bars to be vigilant, especially in the wake of Bali and she or he is just doing their job making the bar safe for all of us. STH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoiledCowboy Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 That sign is mild by the Pattaya one which bluntly said something like don't attempt to talk to or touch the women and don't bother asking to be served a drink or food as "Arabs are not welcome in this bar". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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