Times are a Changin

Today's post is: Times, They are  .. Tracy Chapman  .. Dylan song

The talk with among many expats and Thai farang lifers is that Thailand is changing. The establishment seems intent on taking the 'naughty' out of the tourism experience. Apparently it is most evident in Sin City, Pattaya but the raids by army and police are becoming more common in Bangkok as well.

If the naughty night life does disappear, what will replace it? My experience, on Soi 22 is that busloads of Chinese tourists will replace it. I guess I had better get used to stepping off the sidewalk as the herd following the standard bearer trundles past.

Apparently they arrive at Don Muang low cost carrier airport and are causing long waits at immigration. I really can't think these travellers spend much money while travelling in the herd. They do, however stay at the newly renovated Marriott on Soi 22. I am not surprised as the Marriott did not seem to be doing too well so I suspect these tour companies are getting a good rate.

Many of the Bangkok lifers are moving on to Cambodia and the Philippines which apparently are much more farang friendly and affordable.

A side affect of the crackdown is that some bars are doing away with bar fines. This follows the disappearance of on site rooms for liaisons. Prostitution is illegal in Thailand but onsite rooms made it easy for the boys in brown to prove the bar was engaged in it. The same rationale can be applied to bar fines. If the bar only releases the lady when a bar fine is collected then that too seems to place the bar in the prostitution business. Bunnies in Nana Plaza has done away with bar fines after Butterflies (also in Nana Plaza) was busted.

So, that means bars will make their money in the traditional manner of selling drinks and lady drinks. I would guess the prices of lady drinks will go up. That leaves the naughty transaction between consenting adults taking place off premises in the myriad of short term hotels that surround the entertainment districts. That certainly will take the pressure off the ladies to 'go' with a customer. Usually their bar contract specified a minimum of monthly bar fines was required and if the minimum was not met, they saw their salary deducted.

Times they are a changin.

This weekend was a Buddhist holiday weekend and the ladies are wont to go to the temple as their bars are all closed for the weekend.  Thavorn and her friends were no different and they are spending today at the local temple.  Here are some pics:

TTYL