he prime Walking Street location on the corner of Soi Happy has bounced back to life as the modestly named The Best Bar. 

Hopefully it will at least sell a good chilled beer to capture the Stoney's fans that may still visit in search of a cold 'un.

There's nothing worse than the Beach Road tailor touts sticking their grasping palms into yours, proclaiming to be an old friend...or perhaps there is

From Pattaya Secrets

I was walking through Soi Diamond tonight and passed by the Paris A Go-go. I noticed an older gentlemen with a cane walking in front of me.

When he passed the Paris A Go-go the Hello Boys out front started to block his path. He indicated he was not interested but was not allowed to pass. After about two minutes of blocking his path, one of the Hello Boys called him a name, and put a sticky poster on the back of his shirt.

The old man was trying to get the sticker off with no luck. The Paris Hello Boys seemed to be having a good laugh.

From Stickman

The Pattaya Angelwitch is a great bar. But there is one thing perturbing about the bar, and that is all of the "hello boys". This lot will try and get you into the bar by yelling and screaming out all sorts of nonsense while they're perched on Walking Street. Agree to check out the bar and you will be led up the dimly lit alley with two or three of these Thai boys all around you, perhaps grabbing our arm. Do they not have any idea how disconcerting this can be?! Maybe this is something for the new manager to work on.

And as reported earlier:

Emasculated Opening Hours

The low season blues seem to have taken their toll at Far East Rock in Soi Post Office. The opening hours have shortened to 2:30pm-9:30pm. Previously the GoGo bar operated 1pm until late.

And perhaps before blaming the low season, they should perhaps abandon the policy of having lady boy welcome staff. I for one run a mile from any venue with lady boy touts, they are generally way too aggressive and there is always a slight threat of a really bad situation arising.

Also to be aware of with aggressive ladyboys is that the general outrage of a touchy feely tout is that it is ideal cover for a pickpocket attempt.

The lower floor of the new Walking Street complex opposite Soi Diamond was open last night. It is an attractive and colourful open bar featuring a live band. I will investigate an another occasion.

Good to hear of much needed new management at Kittens A-GoGo. It is so dreadful that I am not sure that I even want to go and check for improvements. Hopefully someone else will go on a scouting mission for Thai Anxiety.

From Dave the Rave

John Daniels (or Jacko) is the new manager of Kittens A-Go-Go. Kittens is located at the Penthouse Hotel on Soi Pattayaland 2. Jacko is on deck from 3.30pm until late. Penthouse Hotel has a good concept but they are in desperate need of a serious renovation. However, give Jacko some time and he will probably improve Kittens.

Surely one never sees bar girls/boys below the age of consent in the public bars of Pattaya but occasionally one is reminded that there is indeed a problem that exists in more secretive circles.

From Pattaya City News

On Monday night, a group of Undercover Pattaya Tourist Police Officers conducted a raid of the Diamond Pub in Soi Sunee Plaza, South Pattaya after receiving information that the venue was being used to sell sex to foreigners. It was thought that underage foreign boys and Thai boys were available for sex at the venue. On the first floor of the venue, rooms were being used to accommodate these illegal activities. The raid took place and on the first floor of the venue, a partially clothed American National was found in one of the rooms with a boy aged 16. Evidence including a used condom on the floor suggested that the pair had already engaged in sexual activities.

The man was arrested along with the manager of the venue and members of staff in the venue which included 17 males under the age of 15 which included foreign nationals who had entered the country illegally. Everyone concerned was taken back to the Tourist Police Station and charges were pressed for engaging in sexual activities with a person under the age of 18 for money.

The venue has now been shut down pending a decision on its future by the governor of Chonburi who may decide to revoke all licenses for the establishment.

From Stickman

Whilst the 'disko' bars are flocking to Walking Street there seems to have been a casualty amongst those not so prominently located.

Players Dance Club has now gone dark. Perhaps a little too hard to find on the Soi that wanders past Coyotee's A-GoGo

Meanwhile Patrick, the American manager established at TQ2 and then displaced from a job at The DollHouse has become the new manager at Angelwitch

The work on the large development, pictured right opposite SOi Diamond seems to be nearing fruition. Two large trees now decorate the frontage. The downstairs is a very large room with a central bar and others around the edges of the room. A large piece of neon has been erected depicting a hammer and the name of the venue, Hammer Disko.

Stoney's is now shuttered up on the corner of Walking Street and Soi Happy. This will surely be a loss to those that stopped by for the  famed ice cold beers.  No doubt such a prime site will hardly stay dark for long.

Just a block down on the corner of Soi BJ, Blue Sky Bar 3 has opened up.

The bar features tastefully lit shelving for the spirit bottles and a very large TV, no doubt intended for World Cup watching. I will give it try soon but it seems popular enough in the first few days of operation.

From Pattaya City News

Pattaya’s Immigration Bureau received a complaint from a bar girl concerning a Dutch national who owns the Cozy Bar Beer 1 in Central Pattaya. (Seems to be the Cosy Bar in the Soi 2 complex opposite Big C). She claimed that he would assault girls who work at the bar and would go as far as stab them on occasion for, what he considered to be, fun.

Police Captain Jackgarit was assigned to the case and made his way to the bar and located the suspect, Wilhelmus Van Kempen from Holland. As soon as the Captain identified himself as an Immigration Officer, Van Kempen attempted to escape without success. He was taken back to the Immigration Center and a quick check of his passport indicated that the passport had already expired. According to the Colonel, Van Kempen attempted to offer him 100,000 Baht to clear the case. The offer of money was rejected and the illegal offer was added to the list of charges against him.

A check with the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok uncovered a list of outstanding warrants regarding firearms offences back in Holland and according to the Embassy he was on their wanted list for some time. He will be handed over to Embassy officials in Bangkok and the man will be deported back to Holland.

Later, Immigration Police returned to the bar and made a further arrest of a German man who was found to be working without a Work Permit. Harold Kramer was arrested and taken to Pattaya Police Station. He claimed he was also the owner of the bar. Despite this he was charged with the offence and will now face deportation if he is convicted.

Club Electric Blue Jr in Soi Diamond has gone dark in the last couple of days. Hopefully the staff will simply be relocating back to Roxy's. I later spotted some of the girls at X-Zone.

From Asia Bugle

The old Club Electric Blue (Walking Street) has been undergoing yet another refurbishment and is set to open in July under the name Roxy. Big Andy told me, We're not a show bar, we're show business. My understanding is the place will not be a standard gogo, nor a table dancing palace, or a late-night disco, but a combination of all three…

Meanwhile there seems to be something new going down at the re-developed Las Vegas City. It is now the Broadway Club. There were girls sitting outside as I passed by but I left the investigation to another time.

...And no mention of any dry days for the Jubilee weekend. So I will be raising my glass to a good and wise King after all.

I popped into Champagne last night and was greeted by door openers who couldn't be arsed to open doors. Sat down to prompt service but the bar had a gloomy atmosphere. It must be hard for a dancing girl to actually shuffle even less enthusiastically than usual but one girl achieved it by shuffling with folded arms.

It transpires that the very popular mamasang had a bit of a fall out with the boss and was fired. I rather think that the rest of the staff may depart shortly. It was a little sad to see my favourite girl doing her best to conjure up a little fun for me only to see it fade away into gloom a couple of minutes later. It was patently clear that she was very fond of her (ex) mamasang.

From Stickman

Ricky, the hugely popular manager of Babe Watch, has been shown the door. The owner said he was letting Ricky go because he wanted to cut costs! I can’t say Babewatch evolved into my favorite gogo since Ricky took over, but it did improve immensely. He transformed the line-up of ladies from generally unattractive and older to pretty and young with good figures. It became congenial. The layout leaves something to be desired, but that could not be resolved by any manager. What he could and did do was improve the shows, create a more exciting atmosphere, and attract clientele.

From Stickman

The hello girls working outside of New Living Dolls One on Walking Street have been giving out free draft beer vouchers to potential customers walking by. And there isn't a catch. One beer for free.

Heaven Above in Soi Diamond has also been handing out free beer or Thai whisky vouchers to customers as they leave the bar. These can be used any night between 7:30 - 9:30.

Those that like to enjoy the World Cup in a bar sharing excitement, banter  and perhaps a bet with friends may be about to suffer a double whammy.

I have heard that the opening match on the 9th may coincide with a possible dry day to mark the Thai King's 60 year jubilee. What's more there is a buzz going around the girls of Pattaya that the bars may be closed for several more days (9-13th is the designated celebration period).

Seems a bit of a shame not to be able to raise one's glass to the King's health but to close the bars during the World Cup...well that's just too much! These things are usually only revealed at the last minute but it is a little worrying.

From Pattaya City News

The 2006 FIFA World Cup which is this year held in Germany is now only days away. There is, of course, a temptation for both Thai’s and foreigners to place bets on the outcome of each game. In many countries this practice of gambling is allowed, however here in Thailand Gambling is illegal.

Pattaya’s Tourist Police, acting on orders from Police Major General Panya, the National Commander of Tourist Police, will ensure that no gambling relating to the World Cup will take place. We spoke with Police Lieutenant Colonel Wootishart, Pattaya’s Tourist Police Chief who mentioned that anti-gambling patrols which will operate around the clock have been set-up and any sign of gambling will be dealt with in accordance with Thai law. We would like to remind you that even friendly gambling amongst friends is not allowed and if you are caught, you can be arrested and ultimately deported if you are convicted of the crime.

A hopelessly late piece of reporting I ventured down Walking Street: Soi BJ to check out Las Vegas City only to find that the bar had been closed for some time for renovation.

It will now soon make a reappearance as Broadway Club

I agree with Stickman's observation and will check it out. Not a single dancing girl has said a word to me for 6 months so just a simple hello will surely register as an improvement.

From Stickman

Coyotee's over the past few weeks has sacked eight of their girls for basically being bitches. The most common knock on Coyotee's was that the bar's reputation is that of a bar with gorgeous women who think their shit don't stink. Apparently, the bosses at Coyotee's have heard this all too often and actually are trying to change the atmosphere of the bar. Well done!

Dance Contest

After a successful inaugural event, Babe Watch have announced another dance contest on 18th June

Thursdays: Boots, Blues and BBQ happy hour at TQ2 (Walking Street: Soi BJ)

Doors will open at 5 pm and the buffet from Bob's BBQ will open from 6-8. ALL YOU CAN EAT FREE (with 2 drink purchases). Otherwise it is 499 Baht. This is a big buffet with a variety of BBQ and other foods.

Saturdays: Free evening curry at Bentleys Pool and A-GoGo Bar. Located on 2nd Road opposite Soi 9. Commencing at about 8pm

Sundays: Free Barbecue at Champagne A-GoGo. Located in Soi LK Metro off 2nd Road: Soi Diana Inn. The barbecue starts at about 4pm

From Pattaya City News

Reports of naked Muay Thai boxing inside Pattaya bars prompted a late night inspection by national sports council officials.

On Wednesday Night, Khun Boontan, Director of the Sports Council of Thailand came to Walking Street in South Pattaya. Khun Yordtong, a local boxing promoter and member of the Banglamung Police Committee along with Police Lieutenant Colonel Sutum from Pattaya Police Station welcomed Khun Boontan who came to inspect Walking Street after reports in the National Press regarding allegations of Naked Muay Thai boxing taking place in some bars here in Pattaya.

However, after a tour of the street and a selection of the go-go bars, nothing relating to the claims was found, to the delight of Khun Yordtong who has devoted his life to Mauy Thai boxing and was deeply upset when he heard that the sport was allegedly being disrespected by one or more of Pattaya’s bars.

Although nothing was found on this visit, Khun Boontan is offering a reward of 250,000 Baht to anyone who can lead Police to a bar conducting naked Muay Thai boxing.

The rather lack lustre jacuzzi show at Champion A-GoGo has been halted. The Jacuzzi has now been replaced by a small stage which further extends the very long dancing rota for the girls.

Based on an article from Pattaya City News

Jomtien bar offering naked pool is closed down by Pattaya Police.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Soopashat (Snoopershit?) from Pattaya Police Station received information of a bar inside the Jomtien Complex which was offering foreigners a chance to play pool with naked women for 200 Baht per game.

This is clearly against the law and it was decided to conduct an undercover operation on Wednesday Night using a foreign man brought in from outside of Pattaya who was fitted with a camera and paid the 200 Baht to an employee of the bar who proceeded to remove her clothing and the game began.

These pictures come from the camera itself which provided the Police with enough evidence to conduct an immediate raid on the Las Vegas Bar and Restaurant. As the cameras entered the establishment, the naked woman was detained. Khun Janya aged 30, the Manager of the bar was arrested and licenses for the bar and restaurant were checked and were found to be in order. The naked pool player, manager and owner of the bar were all taken to Pattaya Police Station and charged under public obscenity laws.

A report of the case has been sent to the Governor of Chonburi who will now decide if the evening’s events warrant a temporary or permanent closure of the establishment.

And before you join the mob to lynch the snitch, from Pattaya Secrets:

Unfortunately this practice of using farang spies has been going on forever. The farang used are normally on temporary visas which are only renewed if they do a "job" for the Police. Many have been arrested for offences such as drug possession or other offences which could lead to deportation. They agree to do these "jobs" so they can stay in Pattaya. I know....it stinks but the fact is it goes on and will continue.

29th May, Update:

Now open and said to be operating 'as usual'. If anything there were more customers than usual...any publicity is good publicity.

According to the ladies, there was no significant fine and there seems no imminent threat of closure. Just a bit of a lark to them.

Naughty Girls has re-opened after being closed for renovation.

The bar was alive with background chat of negotations about barfines and short time. It may have been mainly due to the Cobra Gold visitors but the bar was thriving. The first dancing girl I was interested in was whisked offstage in mid number and the second was trumped by a higher drinks offer.

The bar now looks very good. It has a central curvy stage and 4 smaller table dance size tables in front of the comfortable bench seating.

It is not really a table dancing venue though, as the girls are dressed pretty modestly in a one piece affair that is transparent up top but revels nothing below. Not really much scope to show a little something for an extra tip.

There were some very attractive girls that had joined the cast and presumably there were a fair few others that were resting in nearby rooms.

The service girls are attentive and attractive (and getting involved in barfine negotiations too, as far as I had overheard, there is no premium on service staff).

Definitely a renovation that will give the bar a good chance to thrive.

Hot & Cold 2 in Soi Yamato has brought back into service. This small gogo is run by the same people that bring you Hot & Cold 1 in the next door Soi Post Office.

I went to check it out but it was closed as the girls had been press ganged into service for one day for a private function in Hot & Cold 1.

In anticipation of a bad review, before I had even visited once, the Hot & Cold 2 staff on duty in the other bar tried to pull the trick of a 150 Baht lady cocktail without asking me if this was ok.

One to avoid...

I was wondering where the girls had gone outside of Skip's Mardi Gras.

After an accident between a motorcycle and a car on Soi 5, Jomtien there were injured but no dead.

The local police immediately banned all establishments on the north side of the Soi from using it for displays, tables, chairs, girls and so on.

The result is a wide Soi free from clutter. The downside of course is that the average vehicle speed on the Soi has increased to about 80 kmph from 15.

After a few more fatal accidents, it will be "business as usual" permitted by the brownies.

I spotted that Walsh's Bar on Soi Pattayaland 1 has opened for business. It is a double shop bar that used to be Nan's Bar. It has a central horseshoe bar and looks impressively large for a beer bar.

Over in Jomtien the DK Bar has opened at the front of the Jomtien Complex near to the dog leg in Thappraya Road. It seems to be an aircon bar specialising in pool. The bar was previously the site of the Palace Bar but it has also extended into the next door shop.

The Soi 6 police action was thankfully a one day affair. The bigwigs from the Bangkok police clearly felt like a day at the seaside. The tidy up was apparently in aid of the high and mighty having a bit of a do at the nearby Solé Hotel.

Anyway normal service is now resumed.

Many thanks to the girls of Kiss Kool for some probing research into this story.

From Thai Visa

It seems that the police have visited Soi 6 and decided that the girls can no longer sit outside the bars. The bars are still working as normal inside

I am not sure of the timescale of this restriction but it will certainly change the dynamic of the whole street.

It may be fun to have a more relaxed perusal of the girls inside over a beer. But maybe one will have to have several beers in several bars before making a selection.

From The Pattaya Mail

An extra hour will be added to the period Walking Street is closed to traffic to allow time for customers at the bars and entertainment venues to disperse and consequently reduce congestion and the possibility of accidents.

Starting from August, the street will be closed to traffic from 7 p.m. – 3 a.m. The current period is 7 p.m. - 2 a.m., but as most visitors begin to leave the venues at 2 a.m. there has been considerable lobbying to change the vehicle access times.

I worked for years in computer simulated military training and got my first trip to Thailand paid for whilst working on Hawk pilot trainers in Malaysia. So military training simulation is surely a good way to spend tax dollars. I am sure the girls and bars of Pattaya will agree too.

From The Pattaya Mail

The naval exercise of Cobra Gold start today, May 15th and will continue until May 26th.

Training will consist of a computer-simulated staff exercise, field training exercises, and humanitarian/civic assistance projects.
The exercise will combine Thai, U.S., and Singaporean armed forces in a combined task force headquarters computer simulated staff exercise.

... More bar complexes

The development of the old Marilyn A-GoGo on Beach Road at the start of Walking Street is now tagged as the Pier Entertainment Complex. It will house 3 GoGo bars and more
 

Meanwhile there is another significant construction in the derelict building and eye sore located in Walking Street opposite Soi Diamond. I have no idea what is being planned for the building but I would guess that it may include a bar or several.
 

Further north the Market area on 2nd Road near Soi 6 has been cleared apart from the tour party venues of the Model Club & European Club. The rather massive area is set to become another bar complex and will include a new body massage parlour.

... More bars

The new show bar being built in the old Club Electric Blue gogo now sports a banner announcing the name 'Roxy's' (previously thought to be The Roxy). The banner also provides a grand opening date on July 6th.

Meanwhile another Walking Street beer bar looks to be near completion on the corner of Soi BJ opposite Polo and Galaxy. The bar will be named Blue Sky Bar 3. (Blue Sky Bar 2 is also on Walking Street nearer to the Beach Road end, I have never spotted Blue Sky Bar 1 though)

The Roof Night Club opened its doors this week.

It is located in a prime central location of Walking Street. An impressive amount of neon gives it far more impact than Highway Star A-GoGo ever achieved on the same site.

A glance inside shows that the venue is much larger than the narrow frontage suggests. There is a much larger area available towards the back of the building.

The bar is obvious proud of its vibe and has a glass front so that passers by can experience the laser light show.

This new dance venue is one of several, Players Dance Club recently opened in Soi Marine Plaza a few metres off Walking Street down via Soi Lucky Star. This venue is apparently following the model of Casino Club where the disco (as opposed to gogo) dancing is only a spectator sport.

Another new venue is getting prepared at the end of Soi Diamond furthest from Walking Street. The advertised name is By Blos Club but I have no idea what that means nor what is in store.

Another new venue is the downstairs half of Las Vegas City in Soi BJ off Walking Street. A new piece of neon has been erected bearing the name Broadway. Maybe this suggests a show venue.

The Pattaya authorities have sent letters to the bars 'asking' them to respect the Buddhist Visakha Bucha day by not selling alcohol.

Most of the gogo bars will therefore be closed. The smaller bars may be tempted to serve though, as it is not like an election day when the law prohibits alcohol sales. The ban will be 'voluntary', but of course pressure can be brought to bear on dissenters.

Visakha Bucha means the worship of the Buddha on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month.

Visakha Bucha Day is one of the most important days in Buddhism because of three important incidents in the life of The Buddha, i.e. the birth, the enlightenment and the passing away, miraculously fall on the same month and date, the Vesak full moon day.

From The Nation

A dancer yesterday revealed the details of her narrow escape from death in a fire in Pattaya's Route 999 nightclub, where eight of her co-workers died and more than 50 people were injured on Sunday night.

Dancer Porntip Thamthaisong said she was dressing backstage when the power was cut and someone screamed: "The place is on fire!", prompting her and 80 others to stampede toward the exits: It was very hot and the smoke was so thick we couldn't see anything, and some of us started to choke. Five minutes later, the wall was knocked down by rescuers, who saved us.

Porntip said other club employees passed out in the backstage room and died before help arrived.

Police, meanwhile, will summon the club's owner for questioning tomorrow after finding that two of the back doors to the building were locked from the outside, preventing those inside from escaping.

The club had two rear entrances, one where drinks were delivered and the other to serve the kitchen but on the night both were locked from the outside, she said. Rescue teams were delayed for vital moments because they were forced to cut their way through the locks before they could help the victims escape.

Porntip said she believed there would have been fewer deaths and injuries if those attempting to escape had been able to open the doors.

Police inspector Major Phumpat Namputthara said 20 witnesses had been summonsed so far and police would inspect the fire scene and investigate the locked back doors.

Deputy superintendent Lt-Colonel Chonpat Nawarat said police would gather evidence about the building's compliance with the law and summon Route 999 owner Wicha Baopimpa for questioning tomorrow.

From Pattaya Secrets, photos by Soi7

Work is now taking place on a new Pattaya branch of one of Bangkok's notable bars, Gulliver's Tavern. It is to be located on the north end of Beach Road near Henry Bean's

It looks to be quite a grand affair that no doubt will appeal to tee shirt collecting tour parties.

Something extra to add to the bar reviews methinks, ie whether they have emergency exits or not.

From The Nation

Police are certain careless work by an air-conditioning mechanic caused a blaze at Route 999, a popular pub in Pattaya, which killed eight staff on Sunday.

Officers are inspecting whether the building was modified to meet safety standards and whether any fire exits were provided.

Route 999, right in the heart of Pattaya, caught fire on Sunday night while more than 100 staff were having a meeting before opening for business.

The fire killed five dancers and three male staff including the air-conditioner mechanic and injured 57 others.

Many staff escaped through the front gate but some were trapped inside. Some of them were helped out by rescuers who broke through a wall but others choked on the smoke and lost consciousness. Fire fighters took about an hour to control the fire.

Pattaya mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn said the building was declared a hazard as it had been feared it might collapse.

He said before the pub was opened, the building was found to have been illegally modified. Officials had ordered work on it to stop and revised plans submitted, but the pub owner ignored their orders. We are checking to see whether the pub had provided standard emergency exits, Niran said.

Officials said most pubs in Pattaya only had an entrance and no fire escape.

Nirun said he would order an inspection of other entertainment spots to prevent further incidents and take legal action against any pub flouting the law.

Dancing Diamonds

There will be a resumption of the popular Diamond Dance competitions on Sunday 28th May

Tuesdays: Oldies Music Night

Babe Watch are replacing the Tuesday Taco and Tequila night with an Oldies music night music of the 70's 80's and 90's.

They have also announced a dance contest on 18th June

Thursdays: Boots, Blues and BBQ happy hour at TQ2 (Walking Street: Soi BJ)

Doors will open at 5 pm and the buffet from Bob's BBQ will open from 6-8. ALL YOU CAN EAT FREE (with 2 drink purchases). Otherwise it is 499 Baht. This is a big buffet with a variety of BBQ and other foods.

Saturdays: Free evening curry at Bentleys Pool and A-GoGo Bar. Located on 2nd Road opposite Soi 9. Commencing at about 8pm

Sundays: Free Barbecue at Champagne A-GoGo. Located in Soi LK Metro off 2nd Road: Soi Diana Inn. The barbecue starts at about 4pm

From Pattaya City News

Police and rescue workers were called to the Route 999 Pub located at the North end of Pattaya Third Road at around 21.00 on Sunday Evening after reports of a rapidly spreading fire and persons trapped inside were received.

Every available rescue unit along with units from the Pattaya Fire Brigade responded and arrived at the scene to find the front of the club completely engulfed in flames.

It was decided to collapse part of the front wall to assist injured people who were trapped inside. After the wall was taken away, many people were found unconscious on the floor through excess smoke inhalation and were found mostly at the front live band bar area.

One female was found burnt to death inside the club and the rest were taken out to various hospitals around the Pattaya and Chonburi Area who were all put on red alert.

The current figures indicate 8 people have died and at least 58 people have been injured. Initial reports of an electrical fault on an external sign have now been revised to an electrical fault with a neon sign inside the front bar which features live bands. We have also had it confirmed that the back door which was the only exit at the back of the club was locked which hampered rescue efforts and at the time of the fire, a staff meeting was taking place in the front club.

A new gogo called Images has opened in the Covent Garden complex. It is located in an annex building furthest away from Walking Street.

It is quite small but has a lot of girls (maybe 30 or so). They are a very mixed bunch with some lively young things amongst the otherwise average line up. There is a main stage for about 8 dancers. The younger girls were topless but the rest of the cast were fully bikini clad and seemed to be dancing to make up the numbers.

The decor is attractive but very cold with white bench seating and eerie green lights. I found it quite unique. Even the industrial fridge used to store the drinks seems to add to the cold look of the bar.

There is a glass ceiling with naked girls occasionally romping above. The glass is a bit opaque and is hard to see much about what is going on. It comes across more as changing room high jinx rather than 'a show'. There was a naked girl show on the main stage once in the hour I was there.

Bottled beer is 105 Baht and the welcome staff seemed almost apologetic that they could not entice you in with a cheaper draft beer.

Some of the dancers at are on loan from Naughty Girls which is closed for renovation until May 16th.

The Windmill Club is said to be starting a new soapy and oil stage at the back of the club. I didn't see any evidence of this when I popped in, so maybe this is just being planned. You can now watch some live football action on the new large screen TV.

Draught beer is 50 Baht all night and mainline spirits are just 75 Baht.

You may also like to know that Phil, previously the manager at the original Electric Blue and then X Zone is now helping out at the Windmill Club for a while.

From The Pattaya Mail

Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, and the United States recently announced their participation in the Cobra Gold exercise to be held in Thailand from May 15-26, 2006.

Cobra Gold is a regularly scheduled joint and combined multi-national naval exercise hosted annually by Thailand.

A very notable event for Pattaya as many service people take the opportunity to visit.

From BarLadies.com

Hooty's has now changed hands (in the last week) and is now owned by a very nice Irish guy and has new manager, who is called Paul (same name as previous manager). New manager is said to be very customer friendly.
 

The old Palace Bar on Thappraya Road in front of the Jomtien complex has been merged in with the next door shop to become the DK Bar. On my last visit it looked very close to opening as they were adding the wicker bar stools. Pool will clearly be a major feature of the bar as it is in nearly every Jomtien bar!

The old Nan Bar in Soi Pattayaland 1, next door to the Cockwell Inn has been totally refurbished and is well on the way to becoming Walsh's Bar.

The little soi connecting Soi Pattayaland 1 & 2 has also seen a change. The rather Australian sounding bar, G'Day Mate, has become the generic sounding TJ Bar.

In Soi Yamato the Travel Market bar has sprouted a sign proclaiming it to be Friends Bar

Based on an article from the Asia Bugle

The number of gogos in Pattaya is set to keep rising. The redevelopment of Marilyn's is continuing and will provide two or three gogo venues.

The Thai boxing arena and the beer bars around it in front of the Dollhouse gogo (Walking Street) is rumoured to be re-developed with the focus being on the construction of up to six gogos.

There is a pretty large looking venue being built behind the old Highway Star GoGo venue. A 'night club' suggests  suggest a disco but the Roof being back suggests that it could be either a hostess bar or a GoGo

The large Walking Street building opposite Soi Diamond is also being redeveloped although I haven't yet seen any publicity as to what it will become.

There is also work in hand on Secrets Hotel in Walking Street:Soi 14. This will include a hostess bar taking inspiration from the popular FLB Bar.

Pattaya commentators are asking the obvious questions about where to find the girls. I am sure Pattaya will either cope or adapt though.

Thursdays: Boots, Blues and BBQ happy hour at TQ2 (Walking Street: Soi BJ)

Doors will open at 5 pm and the buffet from Bob's BBQ will open from 6-8. ALL YOU CAN EAT FREE (with 2 drink purchases). Otherwise it is 499 Baht. This is a big buffet with a variety of BBQ and other foods.

Saturdays: Free evening curry at Bentleys Pool and A-GoGo Bar. Located on 2nd Road opposite Soi 9. Commencing at about 8pm

Sundays: Free Barbecue at Champagne A-GoGo. Located in Soi LK Metro off 2nd Road: Soi Diana Inn. The barbecue starts at about 4pm

From Pattaya Secrets

I don't like to spread rumours and gossip about bar management...but...

Dollhouse has been bought 50% by Club Bouché, 50% by Living Dolls Showcase (Ken). Paul from Hooty's will be new manager. Why they sacked Patrick with his military connections and with all the US Service in town is beyond me. He is one good manager.

No doubt there will now be changes at Hooty's to follow

Update: New regime will revert to Club Bouché prices, so, no more 30 baht draught beer and no happy hour. Plus no more rock music.

Patrick has now secured a temporary posting at New Living Dolls One from May 1st

From Yellow Board

Walking Street was crowded with visitors from the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. This has docked at Laem Chabang (20 km north) and will stay until Monday 24 April when it departs to Singapore. I believe three frigates accompany this ship.

As well as plenty of fit looking guys enjoying a drink at the bars, there are also plenty of shore patrol types sporting 'SLG' on teeshirts (Ship Liaison Group). No doubt these people are ensuring that the sailors do not transgress the ludicrous Navy ban on partaking in paid services with the girls. What is the point of sailors traveling the world, putting their life on the line in the defence of people's freedom, only to find that they have no freedom themselves.

Starting today Thursday April 20th we will start weekly
Boots, Blues and BBQ happy hour at TQ2 (Walking Street: Soi BJ)

Doors will open at 5 pm and the buffet from Bob's BBQ will open from 6-8.

ALL YOU CAN EAT FREE (with 2 drink purchases). Otherwise it is 499 Baht. This is a big buffet with a variety of BBQ and other foods.

There will be lucky number prizes to be drawn at about 7:30 pm.

There will also be some entertainment as well starting at 6 pm.

My amusement at the water fights of Songkran ended with a bucket of water over the head at the wrong place and the wrong time. To keep my inner Mr Angry at bay I know join the many locals who become Songkran recluses. I will have to change the site tagline to: Enjoying Nightlife in Pattaya....Except at Songkran.

From Pattaya Secrets, photo by Explorer

Songkran has been a pretty dry affair down our soi as the water board have turned off the mains water supply for nearly a week now. I feel a little sorry for the local children but as I don't see them much, they are probably playing it a better supplied part of town.

The police have been trying to keep some of the big guns at bay and have been confiscating the high powered water cannons made out of blue plastic piping.

The most bizarre decision seems to inflict an alcohol free period from 18:00 April 18th to midnight at the close of April 19th. This is due to senate elections on the 19th but this clashes with the main water battle day in Naklua on April 18th and Pattaya on April 19th.

It is not just the alcohol that is a problem. It is nearly impossible to travel anywhere in Pattaya on that day, the roads are jam packed with pickups crewed by platoons of water cannon cavalry. There is no way that the locals can get 2 or 3km into town to get to the polling station. Those organising the election should surely be sacked.

With regards to the future at X Zone, I am currently trying to introduce a membership card which will give all regular customers, Secrets members or not, a discount for them and all their friends. I am planning more special promotion days such as our popular Tequila party and Best Friends night. I would like to have more naked dancers in the venue, as well as topless bar staff. I want to introduce private dancing in the VIP area, at a realistic price. I would also like to introduce a wider variety of music and have lighting which is more in keeping with the type of venue. I want turn the shower unit into a proper show and introduce more original shows.

Clearly a 'good cop' event as the bars were at their usual sexy levels.

From Stickman & Pattaya Secrets

Rumours coming out of Pattaya suggest that a very large, recently opened gogo bar is losing money, and is up for sale. The place simply isn't pulling in the numbers of customers needed to break even, let alone actually make a profit. It would seem that this posting is referring to Angelwitch but it must be pointed that many bars and bar shares are up for sale at the right price. Debate on the forums puts the price tag for Angelwitch at 50 million Baht.

The Dollhouse on Walking Street has reportedly been sold for 10 million baht. The sale is not final yet, but the transaction was said to have been completed late last month. This might explain the steep pricing that has ensued.

From Pattaya Secrets

Lennie's is a popular bar at the end of Soi Diamond furthest away from Walking Street. It is now just completing conversion to a fully aircon bar.

Previously the aircon was limited to a small TV room at the back of the bar but now the main bar has been enclosed by glass doors and aircon installed. The old TV room has been converted to a pool room.

Also some major changes in the overall design as well as furniture and colors, to give it an overall "latin flava"

And to celebrate there is food and fun for all on Saturday April 8th, starting 8pm!

From Stickman

Rumour has it that work is taking place on a new Pattaya branch of one of Bangkok's notable bars, Gulliver's. Little is known at this point in time except for the location, which is mooted to be beside the Amari at the north end of town, you know, near the Dusit Resort.

From Pattaya City News

A brand new pub has just opened on Soi Beokeow opposite the entrance to Soi Diana Inn.

This is the Witherspoon’s Pub and Restaurant and its owner Pat hosted this opening party which was well attended. On offer is a comprehensive food menu along with a full range of beers and spirits.

Pat also revealed a brand new visa run service which will operate from the location. Brand new luxury mini-vans along with discount voucher books will ensure that the visa run service will revolutionize the visa run industry here in Pattaya, according to Pat.