-
Bars to Open on December 1st ???
According to what the PM announced on TV last night, the bars and entertainment venues are being considered for reopening on December 1st. Fully vaccinated tourists from low risk countries don't have to quarantine: Low risk countries include the UK, USA, Germany, and others.
Hopefully these plans will become official in time for tourists to book their trips during the holiday season.
Lets' all make the sign of the cross...wai to Buddha...or whatever else it takes for this to happen.
Story below:
https://www.pattayamail.com/thailand...s-dec-1-375347
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
As I said in another thread.
These are the dictators suggestion to be put to the CCSA meeting on Thursday.
Also he didn't mention the curfew -- or did he?
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
The timeline is faster than I had dared to hope for. I had expected an element of 'wait and see' after reducing the quarantine period, not least because the ASQ regime had the sticky finger marks of senior government members on the make all over it, who would, I assumed, want to milk it for as long as possible.
One assumes that with the resumption of normal tourism on the cards, the airlines will want to restore their services again. I have a contact who has strong family links to Thai - am making some enquiries..
Edit: Word from Thai is that they are so short of funds they will wait to see the booking numbers on other airlines before pledging to restore those flights that are currently not operating.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Patanawet
As I said in another thread.
Also he didn't mention the curfew -- or did he?
I didn't see anything about it, although it would be pointless to let the bars and entertainment venues open if they all would still have to close by 9:00pm to meet a curfew deadline.
But before everyone gets all excited and immediately starts making bookings, I wouldn't expect much bar action all that soon. It is one thing if the bars can reopen. It is quite another as to how soon and how many will reopen. Some bar owners might want to wait to see how many foreigners really will go to Thailand right away. They also will have to recruit staff. Again, most of the boys returned to their home provinces long ago and have been virtually without money ever since. Just to go to Pattaya and work in the bars means they need bus fare to get to Pattaya, money to rent a room, money to eat, money for necessities, etc. I don't know where that money is supposed to come from. Don't forget how it works in Thailand. They work a full month before getting paid a single baht.
And we don't even know yet how many bars survived to be able to reopen at all.
Once the bars reopen, I hope customers will take the boys off and tip them very well. This won't be the right time to go to Thailand and then try to save money by being cheap with the boys. I hope we're not going to see much of nursing the same drink for two hours and then leaving without even a tip.
I suggest keeping your flies zipped until we have some answers. Especially with more expensive airfare, I wouldn't want to make a major holiday trip until I am sure the reasons why I am going are open and running smoothly.
Before packing your bags, I suggest reading Barry Kenyon's October 12 article: https://www.pattayamail.com/latestne...n-place-375351
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
I suspect Issan families will have a whip round for the bus fares - they need the bar revenue desperately..
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dodger
Lets' all make the sign of the cross...wai to Buddha...or whatever else it takes for this to happen.
Well, I hope for those that want to go that it all works out. I'm going to give Thailand a hard pass for now. I can do without Thai food for another 6 months. I'll be back when I get the all-clear from friends who experienced it.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Yes...one of the reasons I'm waiting a few months( God-willing, not as many as six!) is that I want to read detailed (OK, and sexy) reports from intrepid travellers.
After they've returned home safely and virus-free.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Well if everyone has the same attitude as vnman and Oliver then it will still be the same six months from now won't it.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
arsenal
Well if everyone has the same attitude as vnman and Oliver then it will still be the same six months from now won't it.
Thankfully different people have different attitudes.
Some board members intend to arrive in Thailand within the next 2 months, barring unforeseen circumstances.
Also, deleting quarantine ought to see some kind of increase in numbers from last winter.
Is anyone who didn't go last year up for it this time ? [If they have (for example) Phuket style 7 day sandbox, the 7500 baht covid insurance and a few incidental testing costs. If it's like last year, some of the extra expenses would be partially offset by some good hotel rates.]
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
arsenal
Well if everyone has the same attitude as vnman and Oliver then it will still be the same six months from now won't it.
It's interesting that you think that our attitude is what's slowing down improvement. Personally, I think it's the Thai government and how they handled this COVID nightmare. There is a whole big world out there where you can go without any bureaucratic hoops to jump through, so why would I take the risk to go to Thailand?
Even opening up the country has to be as complicated as can be. Vaccinated people from 10 countries... are you serious?
They have broken their own system with a lot of unnecessary restrictions. To the Thais, I have never been more than a customer, and as such, I'd like to purchase a good product. At the moment they cannot produce this and until they can, I have other places I can go.
I assume you and Goji will be there in December or January?
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Hopefully. In my mind I'd like to be able to go by Feb 28th. That's exactly 2 years since I left. The problem I have is that as it stands, foreigners are not allowed to enter China so until that changes I'm stuck.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
arsenal
Well if everyone has the same attitude as vnman and Oliver then it will still be the same six months from now won't it.
Au contraire!
If everyone had this attitude, it would end this nonsense much quicker
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Oliver2
Yes...one of the reasons I'm waiting a few months( God-willing, not as many as six!) is that I want to read detailed (OK, and sexy) reports from intrepid travellers.
If I were in the same situation this is probably the same approach I would take, for the mere fact that you just can't believe anything the powers-to-be release in the media..
As long as there were no quarantines, and at least the beaches and massage parlors were open, it would work for me. The apps are loaded with available boys, and there's always boys around even with the bars being closed. Beats a stick in the eye.
When they do actually allow the bars to reopen it will be a gradual process for the obvious reasons, but my bet is that at least a dozen boy bars in Jomtien Complex will reopen almost immediately, which could be the spark that reignites the gay nightlife in Pattaya. Could be wrong...could be right.
Many bar owners are remaining positive - why don't we remain positive along with them.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dodger
Many bar owners are remaining positive
They are? I don't know that. Where are you getting that from?
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Gaybutton
They are? I don't know that. Where are you getting that from?
I'm getting this first-hand by talking to bar staff and several bar owners during my frequent visits to the gay areas. I was just in the Complex this morning and had a nice conversation with the staff at Home Bar, as well as a boy who works at M2M. I'm hearing the same thing I've been hearing for months now: The majority of bar owners in the Complex are definitely geared to reopen as soon as the green light is given, thus the reason these bars are constantly being cleaned and maintained in a state-of-readiness.
I had a long conversation with the owner of Green Chairs Bar/Sunee last Wednesday who has the same plans. (deleted) Bear and Mak at Nice Boys have told me they plan to do the same. I talked to 3 boys who were cleaning inside Winner Bar/Sunee last week as well and they said the same thing.
I visit these areas frequently just for this very purpose and speak directly to the people involved.
I have had no direct communications with staff or bar owners in Boyztown in quite some time.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dodger
I'm getting this first-hand by talking to bar staff and several bar owners during my frequent visits to the gay areas.
Excellent. First hand knowledge is always the most reliable. If they do reopen as hoped and do well, I think that would encourage other bar owners to go ahead and reopen rather than wait to see which way the wind blows.
Have they said anything about what kinds of restrictions are going to be imposed?
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Gaybutton
Have they said anything about what kinds of restrictions are going to be imposed?
The reason I have never asked anyone this question, is because there is no way that they would know that at this juncture.
Of course, everyone is hoping for the best, but the way the government works (as you well know) it's anyone's guess right now.
My guess, for the plug nickel it's worth, is that the bars will probably have to follow the same safety protocol as all other businesses, e.g. safe distancing, masks, etc., and possibly "vaccination certificate verification" at some point. Just a wild guess.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dodger
I'm getting this first-hand by talking to bar staff and several bar owners during my frequent visits to the gay areas. I was just in the Complex this morning and had a nice conversation with the staff at Home Bar, as well as a boy who works at M2M. I'm hearing the same thing I've been hearing for months now: The majority of bar owners in the Complex are definitely geared to reopen as soon as the green light is given, thus the reason these bars are constantly being cleaned and maintained in a state-of-readiness.
I do hope that optimism spreads elsewhere - I had a report from Hua Hin yesterday - the main Bintabaht bar area is looking totally abandoned. No maintenance, no preparation and weeds in the street..
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Old git
I had a report from Hua Hin yesterday - the main Bintabaht bar area is looking totally abandoned. No maintenance, no preparation and weeds in the street..
As much as it pains me to say this, the Boyztown area looks much the same as you're describing.
Many of the bars and other small businesses on Pattayaland sois 2 and 3 have been vacated and/or boarded up. Very depressing to say the least. Hard to see what the future holds for them.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Just for comparison:
In the UK, pubs and bars were allowed to open for outdoor service back in April.
If I remember correctly, indoor service with restrictions was on 17 May.
Full opening for indoor and outdoor service was on 19 July.
For calibration, Thailand has now delivered almost 62 million vaccine doses, which is where the UK was on 25th May.
Obviously there's a slight difference in government attitude to bars.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
I suspect that there will be consolidation; and it is quite possible it would have happened- more slowly of course- without Covid. The JC is in the process of taking over from Boyztown and Sunee. That's where the MBs and punters will end up.
Recent Youtube footage provides a pointer; JC is empty but apparently habitable (with its new roof) while BT is boarded-up and disfigured by rubbish. Even the sign near Panorama is covered. Very sad. Happy memories.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
I have gotten over mourning the lose of Sunee several years ago and also Boystown a couple of years ago. I occasionally walk through the complex but rarely if ever do I sit anywhere as it is really not my cup of tea. I have some interest in seeing what becomes of nice Boys and quite less interest in Wiinner. Nice Boys began to lose some of its allure as hardly if ever in recent years did any new faces appear as the regular boys got long in the tooth. I would like to believe that if N.B. reopens they will have some new boys as many of the old timers have moved on and the bar has a poor history of recruiting new talent.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Manforallseasons
Nice Boys began to lose some of its allure as hardly if ever in recent years did any new faces appear as the regular boys got long in the tooth. I would like to believe that if N.B. reopens they will have some new boys as many of the old timers have moved on and the bar has a poor history of recruiting new talent.
This often happens with straight bars as well - the 'working' staff gain effective control of a bar and form a close gang that stays together for years - gradually aging and taking less care of the clientele as they do so.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Oliver2
.
The JC is in the process of taking over from Boyztown and Sunee. That's where the MBs and punters will end up.
Recent Youtube footage provides a pointer; JC is empty but apparently habitable (with its new roof) while BT is boarded-up and disfigured by rubbish. Even the sign near Panorama is covered. Very sad. Happy memories.
Yes, the consolidation (migration) you see towards Jomtien Complex (JC) really started back in 2016 - at a time when we started seeing increase in Chinese tourists frequenting Boyztown, and Sunee Plaza was on a downhill spiral.
I used to live in JC (above what is now M2M Bar) back when both Boyztown and Sunee were in full swing, and rarely, if ever, visited the JC bars. Now, with this consolidation we're talking about being almost complete, JC will most likely be the center hub for gay nightlife in Pattaya as you eluded to, at least for the foreseeable future.
Interesting that the roof and gutter installation, misc. infrastructure investments, and the renaming of the Complex, all occurred after the pandemic started and businesses were down. The fact that the majority of bars in JC remain poised to reopen ASAP should come as no real surprise to anyone.
The next major challenge facing the bar owners is drawing enough customers to support the operations. i.e., re-staffing of personnel, building (rebuilding) of inventories, and possibly paying back-rent (if required). Obviously, this will be a long incremental process completely dictated by tourist-flow until they are all fully operational again. At least that's the way this thing seems to be unfolding.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Employing Thai guys? or is that a thing of the past? We occasionally have a drink in JC and everyone seems to be from Cambodia or Laos. Nothing wrong with them, of course but are Thais MBs now restricted to massage and the apps?
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
I wonder whatever happened to the Bamboo Bar just down from JC near the beach.
I have offed some hunky masculine guys there over the years. We went around the corner to a short time hotel rather than go back to the Ambiance Hotel in Boyztown.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
The Bamboo Bar is still there - and will hopefully reopen in Dec if the Gods are with us.
There was a boy there named Ball who was more my type....a bit mince (don't ask). Tall for a Thai...a real doll...nicest ass this side of the Mississippi...and switched from baritone to soprano in bed.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dodger
The Bamboo Bar is still there - and will hopefully reopen in Dec if the Gods are with us.
There was a boy there named Ball who was more my type....a bit mince (don't ask). Tall for a Thai...a real doll...nicest ass this side of the Mississippi...and switched from baritone to soprano in bed.
I make stops in Bamboo quite often - owner fluently speak Russian
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Oliver2
are Thais MBs now restricted to massage and the apps?
On the last trip, I offed just 2 guys from the bars, both were Thai and worked at Winner.
Much more trade was done on line, as has been the case in recent years. Back in 2015, all my meet ups were with lads working at bars, but now I get better results on the apps.
Considering apps, bars and massage combined, the nationalities met on the most recent trip were: Lao 27%, Khmer 35 % and Thai 38% (approximately). That was with border restrictions in place.
I do tend to choose slim lads & that is likely to influence the result, as the first thing I notice when crossing the border into Cambodia or Laos is how slim their people are.
0% from Vietnam, Myanmar and the Philippines.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
There is a YouTube video, said to have been made last Friday, showing a few girl bars open in Hua Hin's Soi 80 area, replete with girls and beer. Early curfew seems to be observed however.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-rder9H-cw
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Moses
I make stops in Bamboo quite often - owner fluently speak Russian
Is that Bamboo himself who can speak Russian or his boyfriend/partner whom I assumed was Icelandic or Dutch but could well be Russian.
The boyfriend, I wish I could remember his name, was always very friendly and generous with drinks.
Bamboo also owned various premises around Jomtien and in another life had a girly bar in Bangkok's Soi Cowboy.
I look forward to going back when he can re-open.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Isn't this the same government that said Pattaya will be open Oct 1st?
I'm planning mid 2022 myself for Laos.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
I received more feedback yesterday from some of the gay bars.
I spoke with a well-dressed Thai man who had just exited Dorothy's Show Bar in JC (not sure if he was the owner or not) and asked him the golden question. He said they hope to reopen as early as next month but may have to wait until December to serve alcohol. No surprise there. He said the new establishment will have nightly cabaret shows similar to M2M and The Venue.
I spoke with the waiter at Home Bar again just because he was sitting there alone (and he's cute as hell). He said they (Home Bar) will revert back to a bar with host boys as soon as they receive the green light.
I heard from the owner of Green Chairs Bar/Sunee, as well as a friend who lives in the area, that Mama Lek also plans to reopen on December 1st.
So far so good, at least for Jomtien Complex and the skeleton that's left of Sunee.
I still have no direct information regarding Boyztown bars, but the place is looking more dilapidated every day. Hard to predict what the future has in store...Not a pretty sight.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dodger
Boyztown bars......the place is looking more dilapidated every day....Not a pretty sight.
Maybe grab a pic or two when next passing and share with us, just to let us see too......hmm or maybe such a sad sight maybe not ! But yeah, go for it.....
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Well actually Boyztown looks dilapidated and deserted even in normal times during the day. 24 hours maximum to be up and running again whenever the demand is there. This is Thailand and on this occasion that's a good thing.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Nirish guy
Maybe grab a pic or two when next passing and share with us, just to let us see too......hmm or maybe such a sad sight maybe not ! But yeah, go for it.....
I had my camera sitting next to the door with battery charged to address your request, but, unfortunately, it's been raining cat n' dogs non-stop all morning. I avoid buzzing around the bay on my motorbike in the rain - so I'll try again tomorrow morning.
If there's any particular shots you'd like me to capture just let me know. I'll try to get a few shots in each of the gay areas at a minimum.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dodger
I still have no direct information regarding Boyztown bars, but the place is looking more dilapidated every day. Hard to predict what the future has in store...Not a pretty sight.
I can't imagine Boyztown without David Kerridge.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dodger
I received more feedback yesterday from some of the gay bars.
I spoke with a well-dressed Thai man who had just exited Dorothy's Show Bar in JC (not sure if he was the owner or not) and asked him the golden question. He said they hope to reopen as early as next month but may have to wait until December to serve alcohol. No surprise there. He said the new establishment will have nightly cabaret shows similar to M2M and The Venue.
I spoke with the waiter at Home Bar again just because he was sitting there alone (and he's cute as hell). He said they (Home Bar) will revert back to a bar with host boys as soon as they receive the green light.
I heard from the owner of Green Chairs Bar/Sunee, as well as a friend who lives in the area, that Mama Lek also plans to reopen on December 1st.
So far so good, at least for Jomtien Complex and the skeleton that's left of Sunee.
A well dressed Thai man; a waiter; and Mama Lek; very reputable sources of information on the reopening?
Until there is an official announcement, all their opinions are wishful thinking although I do hope their thinking is correct.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
francois
A well dressed Thai man; a waiter; and Mama Lek; very reputable sources of information on the reopening?
Until there is an official announcement, all their opinions are wishful thinking although I do hope their thinking is correct.
I’m not sure I can totally agree with you.
The bars being discussed have been making concerted efforts to stay afloat, and doing so by maintaining their bars even when closed and remaining poised to reopen, are doing so by making decisions, and acting on those decisions based on conviction, which is Positive Thinking. In contrast, wishful thinking is just believing in belief.
I also wouldn’t be so quick to discard opinions coming from people who work in these bars. I can usually get more useful information from a taxi driver than I would if I were talking to the owner of the taxi company.
-
Re: Bars to Open on December 1st ???
Some bars maybe taking steps to reopen in December however, the infection rate will dictate wether or not they reopen not wishful thinking.