A Dead 'Pong

[Sarisin]

Last night I saw something I have never seen in five years living here and two more years as a regular visitor from Vietnam where I was working.

A Dead 'Pong.

Oh, the vendors were out in force, and there were a few 'wanna massage' guys around. Also, I ate with a friend at La Fiesta Mexican restaurant and they were serving beer and other alcohol.

But, I scoured the entire area up and down and not a bar was opened anywhere. Not on Patpong 1. Not on Patpong 2. Not on Soi Thaniya, Silom, Surawong, or even a couple of secret sois I know about. Nothing.

Further, I expected there might be a few ladies hanging around the bars that were closed. Nope, not a puying in sight. The bars all had a sign posted in Thai and English saying the bar would be closed the 12th for the Queen's Birthday, but open again on the 13th.

Another thing I noted: a strong police presence. When was the last time you saw uniformed foot patrols in Patpong? I guess this was the reason there were no ladies in front of the closed bars. Also, the taxi I hopped in was pulled over after being pulled over by a checkpoint on Surawong for some reason. After being escorted to the police box, the driver returned cussing up a storm. I could never find out why he was stopped, but it was not a fun ride further with him.

I remember election and other holiday closings, but I was always able to find some place to drink beer out of a coffee cup or maybe a Coke. Not this night.

I called a few ladies and they told me there was nowhere to go - the Nana Disco closed as well as NEP, Cowboy, CEP and Thermae.

I was lucky to find a lady wanting to party at my place, but going out last night was a real loser.

[khunsanuk]

Hi,

Guess I made the right choice in not coming out then.

Anyway, contrary to what I told you earlier, Ratchadapisek was dead as well.

Sanuk!

[itsmedave]

Sunday being my only night off of the week, I came into town yesterday, and stayed over at a hotel on Soi 1. After doing the shopping and movies thing, I decided for a little companionship, and also came up empty for awhile, after noticeing, Nana, Soi Cowboy, Clinton Plaza, and Thermae all shut down. (although there were a few ladies out front in the darkened Cowboy)

Heading back to my hotel, I took a chance and walked by the Rajah hotel between soi 2 and 4, and while no lights were on, Annie's massauge was OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!!

Due to worries about the police, she had to keep the lights low inside as well, which made for a dearth of customers. Because of this, she said I could stay with the lady as long as I wanted. I found the selection to be actually much better than when I'd been in almost a year ago with quite a few lovelies worthy of the bald avenger. There was a problem with the water from from the hotel...namely that it was brown and cold, so a soapy was out of the question...but the bed still worked.

So, come Father's Day, we may have found a possible alternative.

[Guest]

Patpong and Thaniya were closed last night, as well as many soapy massage parlours in BKK despite what the touts were claiming, eg Angara on New Petchaburi road.

However I noticed that on my way to Chinatown from Patpong that the Galaxy No Hands restaurant was open, at least the lights & neon sign were on. It was possible that the Versailles Coffee Shop and Massage parlour within the complex was open as well.

Apart from streetwalkers and pimps and their 'stable' of girls every place that I visited was closed.

It was the 'deadest' night I have witnessed in BKK in the 7 years that I have been domiciled here.

jmc

[ August 13, 2001: Message edited by: slimey_toad ]

[boemba]

This article today in Bangkok Post will explain a lot:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/today/130801_News05.html

[Guest]

I excerpted parts of it in a reply post about Patpong below.

On the subject of change in Thailand, but a slightly different angle, I worked in the LOS for a few years in the pre-crisis years (95' and part of 96'), and although I now live in LA, the company I work for still has investments in the LOS (and I won't say more about that because I value my job) which allows me to visit the LOS from the US (LA). I also have a pretty fair sense of what the investment and business community think these days about Thailand. Even when it was "hot", it was always a bit dicey. With the reforms started under the Chuan government, we had hope it would get better (and I had hopes that I would be able to make even more business trips to the LOS), but that has changed dramatically since January. And its not just the US recession.

Now, there is a strong negative feeling here about the LOS. It not only off the investment screen, its seems to almost be on an almost black list. I saw this when I went to luncheon here last week and a month back when I was in NY.

My point - its not just sanukers. At least on this side of the Pacific, there is strong perception that it is not only sanukers that are no longer wanted, but also outside investors. I know of at least two major factories that would have employeed over a 1,000 people, with an average wage of close to THB 35,000 per month (for factory workers), would have involved substantial technology transfers that are now being built south of the border. And I think having distance from the LOS, and spending time where the investment decisions are made, gives you the perspective to see just how much the business community has soured on it all. Now who is gonna fund my trips to the LOS?

[Sarisin]

Good point Yehtmae.

The Barbican on Soi Thaniya was also open although it looked like it had few customers. Same with O'Reilly's.

As I mentioned my friend and I ate at the Mexican restaurant La Fiesta and they were almost pushing their alcoholic drinks (at premium prices) on us.

[Yehtmae]

Well, all the 'british' pubs in Sukhumvit were open on Sunday evening, e.g. Londoner, Dubliner (ok, not technically British!) & Bulls Head.

Happens every time at these places, Police send a patrol guy around with a letter telling them to close a few days before, the Bar has to sign a tear off slip on the letter acknowledging receipt.

Next day, same patrol guy will show up to collect a brown envelope stuffed with cash in return for recofnising that they are 'restaurants' and not 'bars' and can thus stay open!

[New Petchburi Pete]

Aug. 12 was the Queen's Birthday!

[pattaya127]

quote:

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Originally posted by New Dog on the Block:

Now, there is a strong negative feeling here about the LOS. It not only off the investment screen, its seems to almost be on an almost black list. I saw this when I went to luncheon here last week and a month back when I was in NY.

My point - its not just sanukers. ?

---

Thanks for the post

They seem to really want to do it with as little western hands as possible. Wishful thinking! They joined the game long ago, enjoyed the benefits (low pay, big margins) and think they can duplicate it by changing partners. I hope they will get more realistic of the forces (and weaknesses) in presence or guess who will have the last laugh?