Bars closed on important Buddha days and more

Official letters were sent to bars suggesting that bars should close at 6pm on the 30th May and stay closed throughout 31st May.

However it seems that the first evening closure has somehow being overruled at a local level and bars will open. (Most) bars will be shut on 31st May though.

A possible explanation is that the unprecedented extra day is more to do with policing possible protests in Bangkok after the court ruling about the Thai Rak Thai political party.

 
Bars closed on important Buddha day

Visakha Bucha Day falls on Thursday May 31st It is a special Buddhist special day and is invariably dry.

I haven't heard anything to the contrary this year so bars are likely to be closed.

Visakha Bucha Day is the anniversary of the birth, enlightenment and death of the first Buddha.

 
The future shade of Crystal A-GoGo

From Asia Bugle

The rumour mill is suggesting the Crystal Boys on Pattayaland Soi 2 is not attracting enough gay business and it will soon be turned back into a girls bar. I doubt there are too many Fun Town expats who could care less one way or the other.

 
Gangs of licensing police on the prowl

From Pattaya City News

Bar Owners around Pattaya are now coming to terms with the fact that a Bar Crackdown is underway. With initial threats of 60 day closure notices, many are checking their licenses and employees to make sure they fully comply with the law.

A team of Banglamung District Licensing Officers  backed up by Pattaya Police and civil volunteers as they conducted a raid on bars in Soi Chayapoon in Central Pattaya.

A total of 20 establishments along the street were checked. Licenses were checked and ID cards of employees and patrons were checked to ensure that employees were over the age of 18 and patrons were at least 20 years of age. At the end of the inspection police said that 10 venues required further action to be taken by Licensing Officers. Failure to show a valid license and expired licenses were some of the offences uncovered in the inspection.

 
Another Silver Star A-GoGo

From the Asia Bugle
Picture from Pattaya Secrets

The former Fawlty Towers bar and restaurant in Soi 7 is being converted into a gogo bar to be called Silver Star 2 A-GoGo.

 
Gogos told to cover up

From Pattaya City News

Police Colonel Sutin, the Superintendent of Pattaya Police along with Khun Ronagit, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, chaired a meeting attended by 360 staff members of Beer Bars and Go-Go Bars operating in Pattaya.

They were told that the Police and Pattaya Administration will no longer tolerate explicit shows and nakedness in the bars of Pattaya and any establishment found to be disregarding these orders will face a minimum of a 60 day closure order and even the revocation of entertainment and liquor licenses.

It is thought that a Bar Crackdown will shortly follow to ensure that bars are following these newly enforced regulations.

 
Blind Beggar Goes Dark

From Thai Visa

Rumours of the closure of Blind Beggar have been circulating for sometime probably down to the recent policy of unreliable opening hours, usually closing as early as 5 or 6pm.

However it seems that the venue has now been padlocked. The story is that whilst one partner departed in search of funding, another took the opportunity to put an end to the problems by closing it down. The bar had been in decline for sometime.

The venue is also under ongoing threat from the drawn out plans to build a new major road through Jomtien.

 
Roxy and Coyotee's introduce late happy hour

From Pattaya Secrets

It is reported on Pattaya forums that both Roxy and Coyotee's A-GoGo have introduced a late night happy hour from 1am until closing.

Show bars do tend to be a bit quiet outside of show hours. Probably because they attract customers who like to be entertained by shows rather than chatting with the girls.

 
Young adults not welcome in Thai bars

Previous debates seem to lead to the conclusion that 18-19 year olds could work in a bar even if they are not allowed in as customers. This latest story seems to suggest otherwise

Based on an article from The Pattaya Mail

An inspection of entertainment outlets in South Pattaya by the assistant district chief of Banglamung and officers from Pattaya Police Station has revealed that many of the staff members were under the legal age for working in licensed premises.

Some police searched the bars of Sunee Plaza, noted for its gay go-go bars and beer bars. Police checked the ID cards of more than 60 staff members and found that 19 of them were under the age of 20. Drug tests were performed and licenses of the outlets checked. It was found that 10 outlets were providing service illegally.

The other team searched the beer bars in South Pattaya and found that many of them were operating without legal documentation. The owners of some of the bars were arrested. (seems to tie in with the Soi 6 raids reported below rather than any in South Pattaya)

The police ludicrously claimed that complaints had been received from tourists that many beer bars and other entertainment establishments were operating without a license, and that they were employing staff members who were under the age of 20.

Police have ordered that the offending outlets be closed for 30 days, and that the owners of those without licenses apply for the necessary documentation.

 
Worries about impending advertising restrictions

Bars seem to be under threat from multiple attack. The next serious sounding problem is down to the impending ban on advertising. How can one operate a beer bar without 'advertising' even if it is only the name of the beer on the bottle. 

Thanks to Chris

Pattaya bar owners were called to a meeting with F.A.C.T. (Federation Alcohol Control Thailand). This was to do with an impending new law that will ban alcohol advertising.

There may be errors in translation but documents supplied appear to say that all advertising must stop inside and outside of bars. This includes fridges, mats, pens, glasses etc with alcohol aderverting/logos.  Also no more promotions such as lady's nights or Happy hours.

All to come into affect within a month.

Breaking the law can lead to 1 year in the monkey house and/or a fine of 100,000 baht.

It would be interesting to hear from those with good legal contacts etc to determine exactly how much of a threat this new law may become.

 
Walking Street too much of a good thing

From Thailand Nightlife Roundup

Things are not quite so great for bar owners on Walking Street in Pattaya, as there are - wait for it - no fewer than 17 bars for sale. Yes folks, sooner or later too much of a good thing is too much period.

It does seem that the bar scene has entered a kind of Twilight Zone or maybe just a period of waiting to see which way the wind blows.

Openings and police closures

Thanks to Paul

Police action on Soi 6 is continuing and more bars have been closed. They have been given 60 day closure orders and the notices have been posted outside the bars.

If the bar opens before the specified time then they stand to be fined 250,000 Baht. (Doesn't stop them taking the risk though!)

3 Angels, Superstar, Butterfly,  E&T, and Soi 6 Corner have all been hit. The ladyboy bar next to Cafe Olé is also closed with a notice glued to the door.

Blue Hawaii is open but hasn't had any ladies outside for a few days now so not sure about what his happening there.

All is not bad news though, a new bar called Clansmen has opened.

The Bus Stop Bar has knocked out the front wall to become an open bar

First report on the Club 69 refurbishment

News from Pattaya Secrets

Wow what a change, from a lot of small dance podiums and a bath, to a totally refurbished A-GoGo bar. David the boss has done a great job, congratulations and good luck.

From its now Black exterior you enter an exciting new experience. New style LED lighting gives you an ever changing color sequence around the stage which has been placed in the center of the Club, high enough that you can see the action from wherever you are sitting, and what action, check it out, some of the best I have seen on Walking Street.

The whole of the interior is Black and Red colors with fully mirrored walls.

The girls are also sexy and very active, especially on stage.

Club 69 is located in Soi 15 off Walking Street opposite What's Up A-GoGo

At Wet 'n' Wild A-GoGo

Based on a review from Pattaya Addicts

Blue Lagoon A-GoGo located just off the South Pattaya Road under Centre Condo has changed hands. And it has now re-opened as Wet 'n' Wild A-GoGo.

Well the place was buzzing...Don't they all on opening night! especially with free food which was very good.

Anyway there was a huge square shower/Jacuzzi in the middle of the floor with two attractive girls soaping each other. The table dancers were out to impress.

It wasn't at all bad. A new giant photo had been put up on the walls, a few bubbles wafting overhead plus a few flashing lights, but nothing else much different.

The music was very good, just like the music in Champagne a go-go.

This place have all the right things going for it. Hopefully the new management will give it the kiss of life that it needs.

GoGo ownership updates in South Pattaya

From Pattaya Secrets

Blue Lagoon A-GoGo located just off the South Pattaya Road under Centre Condo has changed hands. A new sign has appeared as the bar will be renamed to Wet 'n' Wild A-GoGo.

Meanwhile the closed Paradise A-GoGo just around the corner in soi Buakhao has been advertised for sale.

The bar including 4 en-suite rooms for accommodation has a new three year lease (which will require a 400,000 key money payment) which will begin September 20th, 2007 and contains an option for a second three years at the same 35,000 monthly rent, with 400,000 key money required for the second three year term. Asking Price 1.9 million baht negotiable

Club 69 reopens after refurbishment

Club 69 will reopen on Wednesday 9th May after being closed 3 weeks for refurbishment.

Club 69 is located in Soi 15 off Walking Street opposite What's Up A-GoGo

Playing with water at The Dollhouse

From Pattaya Today: Night March

The Dollhouse A-GoGo on Walking Street has joined in the fun and is the latest bar to install a water feature.

The area behind the bar has been turned into three showers, luckily with hot water so the girls don’t catch pneumonia in the air-conditioned boozer.

Police go on a checking spree

From Pattaya Secrets & thanks to Paul

It seems that Pattaya police did another run of the bars on Soi 6, checking on licences, CCTV etc. The operation started around 10pm last night. The police also went checking bars in Soi 2 & 3.

Meanwhile the Soi 6 restaurant going by the name of Thumbs Up has now converted to a short time bar.

Update: Banglamung District Licensing Unit

From Pattaya City News, 4th May

A team of officers from the Banglamung District Licensing Unit who were backed up by “Opo po lor” Civil Volunteers conducted a check on bars along Soi 6 also known as Soi Yodsak. The group made checks on liquor licenses and also checked for the presence of CCTV Cameras which is a new requirement for entertainment venues in Pattaya.

10 Bar Managers were detained for further questioning due to problems with their licenses.

The group will continue their checks during the next 3 days so if you do own a bar, especially in the Central Pattaya area, you can expect a visit from this group of officials.

Update: The Wrong Sort of Licence

5th May

I heard that the boys in brown on Soi 6 were specifically looking for a "license to open a bar". This is apparently a 'new' tactic as opposed to "license to sell" (booze, cigarettes, whatever) that they have checked in the past.

Bars that have operated for some time, and are perhaps on their thirty-fifth owner are so far removed from the "license to open" that many had no idea WHAT they were talking about.

50,000 fine on the spot, payable that night to stay open was the GUARANTEE that you'd go get such paper ASAP. Refundable like bail money SURE!

Update: Still Closed

7th May, from Pattaya Secrets

Several bars are still shuttered after last Wednesday's raid. The Corner Bar, E&T, 3 Angels, Super Star, Brett Bar (formerly Christina May) & maybe one or two others.

Update: More Raids

10th May

From Thai Visa

Soi 6 was raided again last night about 11pm, no reports of any books being taken but there was certainly a pick up or two full of girls and them that wannabe girls!

From Pattaya Addicts

A few background details re licence required to open a bar as opposed to the licence to sell whiskey, beer etc in a shop

This licence came into being 2 years ago and to apply meant a lot of effort by the owner for things like an architect report to say your building was safe, a architectural drawing of the inside of your bar, photographs to support it, photographs of your bars neon sign, a map showing how far the bar is from the nearest school and temple, photographs of the person who will be the licence holder, a medical certificate for the licence holder, a police check on the licence holder and the licence holder being required to have his or her fingerprints taken by the police.

The initial licence fee depends on the square footage of your bar, a small bar being 10,000 baht and the rest of the things they required cost around another 10,000 baht so in total 20,000baht.

This licence has to be renewed every year and the cost of the 2nd year was 3,000 baht, but this was only issued subject to installation of cctv cameras at a cost of over 20,000 baht.

Update: Closed Bars

26th May

Another couple of bars mentioned as suffering police closure are Goodfellas on Soi 6 and U Too around the corner on 2nd Road.