Observations And Insights – Bangkok / Pattaya (18 – 22 June)

Took a quick trip to Thailand from Singapore last week and it’s definitely low season.  Fortunately for me the skies didn’t open, and rain was at a minimum, so I was free to explore my normal stops.  Most of the observations and insights, in bullet format, have been mentioned in Stick’s Weekly Column but confirmations are always welcomed, no?

Bangkok (18 – 20 June)

• I believe costs are relative to an individual’s circumstances while some might find the prices are higher than in the past (which they are), some believe they are still relatively cheaper than back home.  I am in a category and situation where the prices don’t matter much.  Drink prices remain pretty much the same (200 – 260 baht for a mixed drink) and lady drinks around 240 baht.  I pay somewhere towards 400 – 500 baht per drink in Singapore.
• I’ve read quite a bit about double lady drinks in some places in Nana and it’s definitely a policy in Red Dragon but when I was there, they asked me, “Do you want to buy her one or two drinks?” while my friend I was with wasn’t afforded the option and he paid for two.  We did have two different waitresses though, so I am not sure what the deal is.  The new expansion (I wouldn’t call it a VIP area) is nice and will be a relief with more seats for customers during the high season.
• Wednesday (18 June) was surprisingly busy in most of the mainstream gogo bars in Nana.  Understand that Billboard still had seats open and that’s usually not the case.  Other gogos were hit or miss.
• No idea what the love affair is with Spanky’s.  Shows dull, place is too small, but very packed.  I will say that the girls were definitely having more fun so maybe that’s what the draw is.
• Nugget from a friend, he went to King Castle 1 (Patpong) on the 18th to pick up a girl he’s been with before and management told him he couldn’t barfine her till he bought a minimum of 4 lady drinks and had to wait for a specific amount of time (over an hour) before she could leave.  Policy or desperation for the bar to make some kind of profit?
• Asians were still the predominate customer base.  Seen a few groups of Indians in the bars in Nana.  I’m starting to feel like the minority (middle age white male) when heading into the gogo bars now.
• Fancy girls from Africa?  They are back on Soi 4.  Usually out a bit later (after midnight).  What surprised me was the number of Arabs in full get up, faces covered, looking to turn a few tricks.  Their faces looked the part, no Asians behind the veils.  Not attractive at all in my opinion.  Again, usually out later (after midnight).
• Thermae (18 June).  Packed with female talent but not many customers.  Again, mostly Asian men vying for a good time.  Friend of mine chatted up a young lady to see the costs… he was quoted… 4,000 ST and 10,000 LT.  Granted he is a black guy from America so maybe she wanted to price him out because she has a preference.  I note this because I talked to her a little later and was quoted a lot less and even got her number.
• Thermae (19 June).  Very dead.  The staff had the music turned down so low it felt awkward walking around.  I left there quick.
• Hillary 2 and 3 were pretty packed Wednesday night.  Plenty to pick from.  3 : 1 odds in favor of males.  Thursday night Hillary 2 was empty, probably a total of 40 people inside after midnight.
• Thursday (20 June) was weird.  It sprinkled around 9pm for about 20 mins, nothing to even fret about but everything was dead.  I think it was the first time I was actually bored going out to Nana, Thermae, and the Hillary’s.
• If you fancy a decent game of pool (8-ball), go over the Bunny, 2nd beer bar to the right of the entrance to Nana and find yourself a game.  Lots of good players and occasionally the Thailand 2024 9-ball winner shows up for a few games.  He actually might be a minority owner.  If you don’t know who it is, look at the wall near the pool tables.  That’s him.
• Stick might know him, but I ran into the owner of the Rainbow Group on the 2nd floor of Nana.  Definitely didn’t look the part but nice guy.  Him and I reminisced about Rainbow 1 when it was on the first floor near the escalator.
• Do not take photos in the gogos.  An Asian guy got caught by the dancers and they had a shit fit.  Waitressess and bouncers flocked to him looking through his phone.  At one point his phone was given to the dancers on stage to go through, which they did.  Him and his friend were escorted out shortly after.

Bangkok public transport at its finest

Pattaya (20-22 June)

• I have to say there was something in the air in Pattaya.  I felt a “desperation” coming from people almost like an “anger” and on the edge of “violent”.  Not sure who towards but it was depressing.  Maybe because it was low season or that Pattaya is turning into something that the locals or visitors don’t like.
• Walking Street was pretty dead on Friday / Sat night, which is expected.  Strolling down Walking Street most people I seen were from South Asia (Indians), a few Europeans, and I felt like I was the only white American.  As some has said, I think Walking Street is dead for the middle-aged white guy and other areas are welcoming their business.
• I-Bar is where I ended up (downstairs and upstairs) for most of the time.  Lots of females with not a lot of prospects.  So easy pickings for the guys if that’s your goal.
• I saw more Thai guys peddling sex shows on Walking Street than anything else (one every few feet), more than I’ve experienced in the past.
• More bars with Russian girls with Russian men out front trying to get you to come inside. Interesting and a change from previous trips.
• As noted by others, lots of Indian bars.  I didn’t venture in as that is not my thing.

Night-time view of Walking Street entrance….no sign yet.

Closing thoughts on Bangkok / Pattaya

Bangkok – I almost prefer the low season in Bangkok.  Fewer people, more options available to the guys, and if you have a couple of mates with you, plenty of fun to be had.  If it rains, then buy an umbrella, you’ll be ok.

Pattaya – I’ve always been a positive thinker in terms of how Pattaya will survive, and I still believe there will always be places to commit a few sins there but after this visit those areas are becoming smaller.  There seems to be no plan and if it is to turn Pattaya into something totally different than what we all know and love than I’m not sure it’s working.  Maybe because it was low season or maybe the demographic is changing, and the wants and needs of a new generation is not taking hold in Pattaya quick enough.  It seems like everything is in limbo and waiting for high season with hopes that tourists flock back and its struggling economy gets a boost.

In conclusion, this is one guys opinion as someone who has been going to Thailand since the mid-90s.  Your experiences might be different, but I thought I’d share some of my observations and insights.  Taking a trip to Phuket in early July so I’ll provide some notes from there. I hope your beer is always cold and your bed is always warm.

Jon