Phuket (Patong) Very Quiet

As I walked through the Paradise Complex in full Highland Dress last night, I noticed how very quiet it all was - even for low season. And before anybody says it, there's no connection between the two!

Many bars with no customers at all. Tangmo had 2 customers for their show and Mama San 3 customers.

Talking to some of the market-stall traders, they are saying it has been very poor in 2010 but hoping for better next year.

So, nothing we don't know really -just re-inforcement of what others have said.

:glasses7:

[lonelywombat]

I have made the same mistake of booking Phuket at the second half of september.
The monsoon and the brown out [ electricity failures] have convinced me to visit at other times.
However I enjoyed the beachfront areas for dinner, all rebuilt since the tsumai aqnd there were live bands playing.
If you go back to Tangmo's tell us if "she" is still dominating the floorshow. Also please report on My Way.
I took 2 boys from Tangmo's to Fantsea and two different boys to Simon Cabaret. We had a great time. Are they both still open and fun?
Finally as I stayed in Connect last time, does Boat Bar [ almost next door]still jump till very late

[Beachlover]

Talking to some of the market-stall traders, they are saying it has been very poor in 2010 but hoping for better next year.

I heard the same sort of thing when I was there earlier this year... Business hasn't been good for many businesses in Phuket this year. I suppose they'll have to see how the high season is. If it doesn't pick up enough it might be time for some businesses to pack up or wind back after it's over.

It's a shame. When I first visited Phuket business was really booming for them and visitor numbers were on an upswing.

I went for a drink and a peek at the show in My Way one night... I had to leave halfway. The show was truly unwatchable.

Oh it wasn't really an error - thats the time of year my travelling companion has his holidays you see, and I don't mind it being quiet really - I was just commenting that it seems quieter than ever.

Who is "She" in Tangmo? It's the same show as last year, and the year b4 that etc etc - mixture of ladyboy lip-synch numbers and a couple of spots (or blemishes) from the cartoon drag queen with the rubber cock in her knickers - althought I think I recall her having a tip-eating fanny last year - is that who you mean?

Lots of adverts for Simon Caberet/Fantasea so I guess they're still operating - but if you've seen it once you seen it a thousand times - same as Alcazar/Tiffany.
I'll check out Boat Bar and let you know.
Meantime (who would have thought it) there's a cute boy in SuperBoy, so I'm off to "off" him.

Beachlover- I know what you mean, and that dammed MC (owner?) cannot keep his mouth shut for 30 seconds either - it's like listening to a machine gun. I had to have 2 aspirins and a lie down after last time.

:occasion9:

[Beachlover]

I had a more of an issue with what was on stage than the MC talking. It was just terrible... all these slow numbers... it reminded me of high school, sitting in class waiting for the period bell to ring.

I just wanted to have a drink somewhere to finish off the day. I ended up going down the road to one of the straight bars with a live cover band instead.

Funny, I never have been into Boat Bar. What's that like? Is it a gogo bar? Host bar? That's all Phuket seems to have.

Beachy - I went into Boat Bar around 10.30pm last night - completely empty - not a single customer and not a single boy!

All they had was a boy sitting at the "terrace" bar outside. No customer there either.

So I looked inside - it is set out as a go-go bar with small stage area to the left as you go in. Obviously with no boys it's hard to tell exactly what happens but my guess would be 90% go-go and maybe a show at some point.

The staff at Mama San (directly opposite) were only too happy to tell us that Boat Bar had no boys and they were right!

Only bars with any numbers of customers were Mama San (5 customers - including me), Sundowners (2), and - amazingly - Passport Pub (full - no seats! ). Also, the 2 karaoke bars were reasonably busy- after the official closing times hehehe

Sorry for any typos - not used to netbook keyboard

:occasion9:

[Brad the Impala]

Boat Bar is actually a club for dancing and socialising like DJ Station. What we used to call a disco. It does not have go go boys or off boys except freelancers, and does not get going until towards midnight. It also has an entertaining cabaret show, and for me is one of the more enjoyable venues in the Paradise Complex, having also been one of the first gay clubs there.

[lonelywombat]

Boat Bar is actually a club for dancing and socialising like DJ Station. What we used to call a disco. It does not have go go boys or off boys except freelancers, and does not get going until towards midnight. It also has an entertaining cabaret show, and for me is one of the more enjoyable venues in the Paradise Complex, having also been one of the first gay clubs there.

I agree that Boat Bar did not get going until after midnight and then mostly hard drinking expats spilled out into the street, when it got crowded.
Tangmo and My way usually finished before then and that crowd , the tourist drifted away.

I am in two minds about My Way. I cringe when the owner gets pissed and gets involved with the show. Yet at times I have had some great nights there and his boys are more masculine than tangmos and the other host bars.

I like to find a boy special and treat him to Fantasea or Simon Cabaret if he is worth it.

I dont usually dine out that often in Pattaya but the new beach front bars with live shows are really good. I would eat there see the late show at My Way and then [ sometimes]
Boat Bar. Never stayed until stumps.

[Beachlover]

Beachy - I went into Boat Bar around 10.30pm last night - completely empty - not a single customer and not a single boy!

Yeah, I have been told that before (that it gets going later) but never got around to going back later.

I tend to go to bed early and wake up early in Phuket - bit of a health retreat getaway for me. I'm always surprised how many hookers are out still flaunting themselves at 6am on my morning run to the beach. These are ugliest ones you can imagine too!


Only bars with any numbers of customers were Mama San (5 customers - including me), Sundowners (2), and - amazingly - Passport Pub (full - no seats! ). Also, the 2 karaoke bars were reasonably busy- after the official closing times hehehe

What's the go with these other bars anyway? I always want to check them out, but all the hoots and catcalls from desperate money boys are embarrassing and scare me off.

I know MyWay and Passport are gogo bars. There's one there called James Dean or something. What are Mama San and the others supposed to be?


Sorry for any typos - not used to netbook keyboard

Yeah, some of the netbook keyboards are annoying aren't they? I bought two the other day. Fiddly keyboard is my only complaint.


Boat Bar is actually a club for dancing and socialising like DJ Station. What we used to call a disco.

It is? F***! Damn, the only place I've never stayed up for. Thanks, Brad.

Well, there goes my early night's of sleep at Phuket then... I'll have to check it out next time now.

What's the mix of patrons like? Any ordinary cute local boys just having a night out like you get at DJ?

[Beachlover]

I dont usually dine out that often in Pattaya but the new beach front bars with live shows are really good. I would eat there see the late show at My Way and then [ sometimes] .

You mean Phuket right?

Which new beach front bar with live shows are you talking about? I didn't notice any difference in the mix of venues when I was there.

[daa raa]

I just returned from Phuket and it was still quiet at the end of October. One place to avoid is Mamasan bar. I went there with my thai friend twice and we had exactly the same drinks both times. The first time the check bin was 300 baht. Two days later the check bin was 400. The ladyboy waitress did not give me a bill, but just told me how much. I asked why and she said you order black, 400 baht. I left no tip and will never go there again. The bar has a very worn look to it and smells of urine. It is staffed by tired looking ladyboys that put on an awful show. The gogo boys are not so hot either.

[Smiles]

" ... As I walked through the Paradise Complex in full Highland Dress last night, I noticed how very quiet it all was - even for low season ... "
Perhaps you forgot, and absent-mindedly actually put underwear on this one time.
And the Boys, not seeing your usual haggis flapping, ignored you.

[searcher]

I completely agree with Brad about Boat Bar. It has been my favourite hang out for years and my Thai mate liked it as well. They have 2 ...very good... shows every evening. The first around midnight, the second at 1.30, later it turns into a disco (like DJ Station). The crowd is usually very relaxed and in a good mood. Boys from the bars who have not found customers yet often come to the second show. About Mamasan: I agree with the negative comments about this bar though I never had a bad experience with any of the boys I offed. BUT: Their boss seems to have very liberal ideas about the age of the boys who work for him. So check IDs CAREFULLY !!!!!!

[Cees-Holland]

/*OffTopic

What we used to call a disco.

OMG!
I still call it "disco" how do we call these places today? :dontknow:

(I feel so old suddenly. :tard: )
OffTopic */

[thrillbill]

I prefer Phuket over Pattaya because the beaches are so much nicer, the seafood restaurants are nearby and the danceclubs are fun to go to.. BUT I think many of the older Western travelors are not traveling as much due to the economic slow down and the Thai baht has increased in value. I live in Pattaya and was surprised last weekend to find Boystown crowded (a couple weeks before it wasn't). I think for the seasoned GWM travelor, he may prefer to come to Pattaya because it is less of a hassle to get here compared to Phuket. IT is definately cheaper and (my opinion) the Thais in general are more friendly than the ones in the South.The problem for the gay night life here in Pattaya, is that they lack a dance club like boat bar or DJ's. (sorry, NAB dance club only favors those who order a bottle of whiskey and all the goodies, going there solo and ordering a couple vodka tonics they'll place you in the back.)

[Brad the Impala]

/*OffTopic
[quote="Brad the Impala":o6a6x52g]What we used to call a disco.

OMG!
I still call it "disco" how do we call these places today? :dontknow:

(I feel so old suddenly. :tard: )
OffTopic */[/quote:o6a6x52g]

Well I think that we call it a "club", but better ask someone younger, a lot younger to be on the safe side!

Not to be confused with clubs like White's or Boodle's.

[colmx]

NAB dance club only favors those who order a bottle of whiskey and all the goodies, going there solo and ordering a couple vodka tonics they'll place you in the back.

The solution here is to buy a botttle of vodka, 2/3/4 tonics and a bucket of ice (1500 or so for the Litre of vodka, 50B for the tonics and 100B for the Ice)
When you have had enough give the bottle to the waiter and they will give you a card.

Next time you go back you can retrieve the bottle with the card and buy 4 mixers and a bucket of ice (for 300B - a lot cheaper than buying single drinks)

You can then repeat this process over until the bottle finishes (and then buy a new bottle and start again!)

[Beachlover]

NAB dance club only favors those who order a bottle of whiskey and all the goodies, going there solo and ordering a couple vodka tonics they'll place you in the back.
The solution here is to buy a botttle of vodka, 2/3/4 tonics and a bucket of ice (1500 or so for the Litre of vodka, 50B for the tonics and 100B for the Ice)
When you have had enough give the bottle to the waiter and they will give you a card.

Next time you go back you can retrieve the bottle with the card and buy 4 mixers and a bucket of ice (for 300B - a lot cheaper than buying single drinks)

You can then repeat this process over until the bottle finishes (and then buy a new bottle and start again!)
Good idea... Does Pattaya have any good "Western style" (in terms of layout) gay clubs/discos like DJ Station?

[thrillbill]

NAB dance club only favors those who order a bottle of whiskey and all the goodies, going there solo and ordering a couple vodka tonics they'll place you in the back.
The solution here is to buy a botttle of vodka, 2/3/4 tonics and a bucket of ice (1500 or so for the Litre of vodka, 50B for the tonics and 100B for the Ice)
When you have had enough give the bottle to the waiter and they will give you a card.

Next time you go back you can retrieve the bottle with the card and buy 4 mixers and a bucket of ice (for 300B - a lot cheaper than buying single drinks)

You can then repeat this process over until the bottle finishes (and then buy a new bottle and start again!)
Good idea... Does Pattaya have any good "Western style" (in terms of layout) gay clubs/discos like DJ Station?
************************************************** ***************
A gay dance club like DJ's or GOD?...NO. NAB is the only one that can offer good music, but it is more Thai style, where groups stand around a round tables with a bottle of whiskey chit chatting away while the dancers are coyote dancers...later there is a lip sync show (not bad)when you first visit. There is a bar but it has tables against it so it sin't like you can stand at the bar area. If you are going there solo (or without reserving a table ahead of time --though you go there early) you get placed in the back. DJ's is fun (for some of us) because DJ is full of various natiionalities and Thais --all ages and styles. IT is easier to start a conversation at DJ's when people are not glued to tables. The new boutique Dusit (on 2nd Rd next to the Avenue) tried to get a "gay" dance club going but I don't think it ever succeeded.

[Beachlover]

A gay dance club like DJ's or GOD?...NO. NAB is the only one that can offer good music, but it is more Thai style, where groups stand around a round tables with a bottle of whiskey chit chatting away while the dancers are coyote dancers...later there is a lip sync show (not bad)when you first visit. There is a bar but it has tables against it so it sin't like you can stand at the bar area. If you are going there solo (or without reserving a table ahead of time --though you go there early) you get placed in the back.
Damn... not good for the solo traveler huh? Is it possible to walk amongst the tables and hook up with guys who catch your eye? I don't mind buying a bottle either (nice to have something to share with whatever group I end up getting to know) but that would make me a bit less mobile in terms of moving around.


DJ's is fun (for some of us) because DJ is full of various natiionalities and Thais --all ages and styles. IT is easier to start a conversation at DJ's when people are not glued to tables.
Yeah it is! That's how all clubs should be!


The new boutique Dusit (on 2nd Rd next to the Avenue) tried to get a "gay" dance club going but I don't think it ever succeeded.
That would've been cool... it looks like a more open and casual layout.