Although the Saga of Soi 6 dominated the news in Pattaya the past two weeks, there’s still been plenty of less-dramatic things happening. So this week a rare departure from the normal format with a Bar Crawl-type roundup for TFS2M readers. In this edition, Soi Sex gets back to business, girls continue their assault on gay Pattaya, prices continue to drop for girls and booze, more bars open despite the hard times and AC/DC’s new CD gets premiered.
Soi Sex is Back
Normalcy, or what passes for it in Pattaya, returned to Soi 6 earlier this week when bar owners and city officials reached a compromise that would allow Fun Town’s favorite afternoon diversion to reopen at 1 p.m. after a week-long crackdown that saw bars closed until 6 p.m.
But the agreement came with strings that have seen the famously bawdy soi noticeably toned down. The bars are only allowed to put two conservatively dressed women outside at any time, keep the exterior lights off until 6 p.m. and are forbidden from trying to lure in customers physically or with loud catcalls.
In the first days of the compromise, most bars appeared to be holding to the letter of the law. They’d better. In what could prove to be a deft move (or an utter failure), city officials put the responsibility of upholding the new rules in hands of all the bar owners. They were given a hotline to call to rat out offenders and were told that if the new code doesn’t stick, the whole street will face severe repercussions.
Most people passing down Soi Yodsak after earlier openings were restored said it was an improvement. Few, other than the sexually deprived and depraved, really enjoyed being manhandled by aging bar wenches and katoeys. If the new plan works, the fun can continue while helping improve Pattaya’s image and making life tolerable for passers by and non-bar businesses on the busy soi.
A Lower-Priced Ticket to Heaven
Joining the bars that have lowered late-night barfines, Heaven Above will experiment with lower prices for dancers and service girls until Nov. 30.. After 1:30 a.m., barfines will drop to from 600 baht to 400 baht. Showgirls already have lower late-night barfines of 600 baht, 200 baht lower than before 1:30 a.m.
“The main reason behind it is to increase business for the last hour and a half,” Heaven Above co-owner Eddie said. “We are making this offer for a limited period. Then we will compare sales and barfines with our history to see if there is a bump. If there is, we may keep the promotion permanently.”
The FLB hostess bar, meanwhile, has dropped its barfines to just 200 baht after 1 a.m.
Back from the Dead
A sentimental favorite among long-time Pattaya visitors, the Bubbles go-go will return to Soi Pattayaland 2 with a soft opening by the end of the month. The bar, which changed names to Crystal in 2006 and its name and format to Crystal Boys in 2007, has been closed for a while. It will be reopened by Brian, the manager of nearby Rodeo Girls.
The opening continues a resurgence of girl go-gos in Pattayaland, which, when Misty’s moved to Walking Street in May, left only two girl bars in the former center of Pattaya’s heterosexual nightlife. Misty’s location was reopened as Legs Club in June and the grand opening for next month.
Happier Hours
With few other tools at their disposal to attract trade, Pattaya’s bars continue to lower prices and offer special promotions.
- The Worldwide go-go on Beach Road between sois 7 and 8 - never known as a bargain drinkers den - has now adopted Walking Street prices of 50 baht for draft beer all night, down from 65 baht.
- Club Misty’s, on Soi 15, also rolled out its “Misty’s Madness” happy hour from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. during which all draft (Chang) beer and house spirits are 2-for-1.
New Bar Openings
Despite slow times, more bars continue to open in Fun Town.
- Hot Legs, an air-conditioned sports bar / bonking palace in the Jomtiem Complex, has opened to good reviews and crowds. The former Hungarian restaurant has an all-glass front, but dimmer lights inside than other similarly styled bars in Pattaya.
- Pattaya’s last dedicated “darts and whistles” showbar is history and will soon be replaced with another go-go. Top Girls, on Soi 14, had a mixed run, once being closed for 60 days after complaints from an animal-rights group about the unusual use of baby hamsters in its shows. The new bar, to be called “Illusion Club,” is now under construction.
- Redz, an Irish-themed bar across from Metro Apartments on Soi LK Metro, held its grand opening this week.
- Butterfly Bar, yet another short-time watering hole, is also planning an opening in Jomtien. Its backers have launched a surprisingly graphic website given Internet porn laws in Thailand.
AC/DC Party
There are so many bar parties in Pattaya, I rarely write about them and certainly never in this Sunday column. But a few events this month rise above the mundane to warrant a mention:
- Walking Street’s Tequila Queen 2 is a place I rarely go, but Tuesday I may make an exception for their “Back in Black 2 Party.” Co-owner Alf described it this way: “In addition to (our) usual great rock ‘n’ roll music, sexy ladies, ice cold beers, and the best western buffet food in town, throughout the night we’ll be premiering songs from the latest AC/DC album: Black Ice. The new CD is being referred to by critics as “Back In Black II”. Several copies of the new album will be given away as door prizes.
- The Diamond go-go on eponymously named Soi Diamond celebrates its 9th anniversary today with a huge party. Nine years is quite a feat, but, frankly, the last three years have seen the bar decline dramatically. Until New Year’s Eve 2005,when popular manager Ricky was canned, the place was banging with the best shows and girls around. Once he departed and the Thais took over, it went straight into the toilet. The only reason any hot girls still work there is they can bounce between the go-go and the hoppin’ Casino Club.
- Coyotee’s, the bar with the best overall lineup in Pattaya at the moment, is putting on a rare multi-bar dance competition on Oct. 26. Past contests have had smokin’ contestants and, this time, the audience gets to vote.
- If you’re looking for more Pattaya party news, be sure to check The Ghost’s Events Calendar or The Pattaya Ghost blog for even more Pattaya-related happenings
Only in Pattaya…
Thanks PG, another great roundup!
View all comments by Bangkok Bad Boy
I’ve seen the baby hamster pole show at Top Girls. You have to get a seat at the rail for it to make any sense at all, but there’s something undeniably erotic about seeing the little creatures shuffle seductively as they exchange squeaky-voiced gossip about feeding-time and “Hammy’s” new exercise wheel etc. Unfortunately I had to leave before the famous Lesbian show, but the hamsters certainly didn’t seem to be forced into anything, in spite of the heckling of a group of dread-locked white wimmin activists. The management had even scaled down the ping-pong balls to BB pellets in deference to their size. Of course BF’ing one is another matter entirely, and only customers who find normal girls a little “cavernous” ante up the 250 baht. I am told sideshowBOB was a regular customer.
View all comments by Pants Elk
Love love love AC/DC. Go see them live if you can. It’s like a concert full of encores.
I think Scooter’s going to open for them, btw.
View all comments by fender
pe - clearly u are the regular customer there given your command of the details. I don’t even know where the bar is located. Thanks anyway though. I always appreciate being thrust into the spotlight for no real reason.
View all comments by sideshowBOB
Why did noone give me the headsup on the hamster show? Theres something about those furry little fuckers shaking there shit that really gets me
Is the bar owner Neil tennat of PetShop Boys fame by any chance?
Ghost - heres a question - whats the deal with the anti-ghost stuff i seen on a loada pattaya forums? i even seen an anti ghost website. seems a bit lame to me that some balding middleaged truck driver from huddersfield would spend time creating a website about you
View all comments by Young Penfold
Yeah, those guys are so touchy. You’re not the only one to get banned from the Pattaya boards.
I was informed of the anti-Ghost website this morning. Of course the loser didn’t use a real name or e-mail address. But I found it pretty funny. Imitation as flattery and all that. Seems some people definately do have too much time on their hands.
If you wanna check it out and provide a counter opinion to the crew of inbred keyboard warriors, see (and I’m not hotlinking it on purpose. Why help them?) PattayaGhostBusters.com
View all comments by Pattaya Ghost
funny stuff
I think u should be flattered. YP - just look at most of the riff raff in pattaya and then assume that is who is online. Easy to see how this happens.
Wow - they did a nice site. someone spent some time on this.
classic stuff.
View all comments by sideshowBOB
Not that much time. The theme is ready-made. Just install and add content.
View all comments by Pattaya Ghost
After spending time on these forums, you do encounter some real fucking leppars. The ‘trip report’ section is always a gruesome area to tread.
I take it beach road wash awash with soi6 swamp-hags until 6pm while the crackdown was in effect? talk about a buyers market.
kee-neeowish!
View all comments by Young Penfold
hang on, people actually live in pattaya??
View all comments by bongo
Ghost - Congratulations on getting your own anti-website after only 6 months. It took Stickman almost 10 years.
View all comments by chrispin
As per the norm, I’ve republished a version of this Sunday column on my site and have added a couple items not available to me at the deadline for this story. So you don’t feel left out, here’s a couple more news tidbits:
—————–
Out of Bullets
Shooter’s, the popular Soi Diamond drinking hole, has been sold and will close Tuesday for renovations. Manfred, who started Lennie’s and then changed it to Shooter’s later, will retain a small stake in the new venture and manager Russ will stay on. Shooter’s co-owner Ray, however, is out. All the previous and new owners will be on hand tonight for a “final night” party. More party news below.
Do the Hustle
Walking Street’s disco scene is about to get a shakeup if plans in their early stages come to pass. Word on The Street has it that the Hammer disco, despite its recent 100 million baht renovation, is not long for this world and its owners are seeking partners to open a new venture with a “unique concept” in its place. What constitutes unique is still up for debate, however.
The loss of Hammer — which frankly many wouldn’t notice — looks to be offset by the opening of a new disco in the vacant building next to the Ocean 10 Russian dance palce. No word on what the joint will be called or when it might open, however.
View all comments by Pattaya Ghost
How busy or slow is Soi 6 now that they’ve lifted the ban?
View all comments by Kevin Kingsley
I used to read a little bit of stickman and than found John Galts page and realised stickman must have so really controversial stuff there so I ended up reading all the 2008 articles but alas didn’t anything really bad except from the odd article / opinion sent in by readers. I.e. one Thai American said Thais don’t find bargirls/go-go girls attractive-lol.
So Ghost, have you yourself set up an Anti-Ghost website to boost advertising and make me read all your past articles inorder to find the naked bargirls Dr Peter Venkman mentions you have on your website.
I can’t imagine how you managed to piss off someone so much they set up a website site about it.
Cheers, keep up the good work.
View all comments by Sean K
@ Kevin — All of town is quite slow. I usually hit Soi 6 around 5 p.m., so I have no first-hand knowledge right now of businss before that. (Hit as it travel down the soi, not anything else.)
Sean — Check the blog. No advertising to ramp up. But, yes, you’re right. The guy who registered the domain is an admin at PattayaAddicts.com, from which both I and Penfold have been banned. Many of the members there are sad little yobs with an unnatural facination with ladyboys (which sort of explains why Penfold was a member, come to think of it….) It’s so easy to tie their knickers in a twist it’s almost not worth the effort anymore. But when I’m bored I just pee in their sandbox for kicks every once in a while.
View all comments by Pattaya Ghost
You chose to remove my comment. The Ghost might be your drinking buddy but he is a bully and, like most bullies, he is also a coward. Your loyalty to him is misguided.
Naturally, I won’t be contributing to any future debates on your website.
Good luck. Let’s hope that you are not his next victim.
View all comments by Eniac
e - chill buddy.
I do not believe this issue should be debated here on the blog. I know you have the ghost’s email and I believe he has been in touch?
Naturally you not contributing to this blog is your loss.
Not mine - given you feel the way you do.
I will do my best to make sure the ghost does not victimize me.
thanks!
View all comments by sideshowBOB
ssB = I won’t repreat my specific criticisms about The Ghost here because I know you won’t publish them but I think you should accept, in general terms, that bloggers who smear ordinary law-abiding people and cause genuine distress are not providing a valuable public service.
My criticisms weren’t brutal or unfair and the Ghost is an intelligent profession journalist who should be more than capable of defending himself, if he so chooses.
I understand that you are his friend but, by simply deleting my remarks, I think you’ve devalued this forum.
That’s why, at this point in time, I don’t see any mileage in contributing further.
View all comments by Eniac
e - I understand your point but some things are better fought in email or in person. Not on the blog.
I think u can deal with that.
Friend or not - there are just rules to play by and there is an amount of protection I have to see to for the blog, my life and my businesses. I think you can deal with that too.
I know the ghost has talked to you in email and I think the battle can stay there.
You may not see any mileage in contributing. That is up to you. But if you feel that way due to the fact that I won’t support a smear campaign or air dirty laundry on the blog then I think you are being unreasonable. There again you not being a part of the blog due to that is your loss. Not mine.
I hope you can just move past this but if not that is your call.
thanks!
View all comments by sideshowBOB
For the record, the e-mail address Eniac provided and I sent my missive to bounced. If he’d like to contact me from a valid e-mail, I’d be happy to resend my note explaining why his comment was deleted.
View all comments by Pattaya Ghost
So I’m a senior in college and I’m from an upper middle class family. For me, getting pussy has just been dependent on getting out, meeting girls and having fun.
For those of you guys who are rich or have gotten rich. Does money make a huge difference in getting pussy?
I’m asking this because I’m about to graduate college and I feel that the whole pussy dynamic might change when I get out in the real world.
Does more money equal exponentially more pussy?
View all comments by Ricsscosita
r - how could it not?
but does that mean if you are not rich you won’t get it?
not always.
View all comments by sideshowBOB
Hmm.
Spam?
View all comments by Bangkok Bad Boy
must be some kind of mccain/pallin underground campaign tactic?
View all comments by sideshowBOB
Or the PAD.
View all comments by Bangkok Bad Boy