Bars: Opening Hours
In Bangla most bars don't open before nine o'clock in the evening.
The official closing time is 1 am for bars/pubs and 2 am. for discos.
In recent years the authorities have cracked down on places operating
later, but it's still possible to find places open until 5-6 am.
Just ask around at the bars to find the late night venues. Just
remember that these places are circumventing the law, so there is
a small chance that they will be raided by police, with patrons
facing ID checks and urine tests for drugs.
Bar Girls in Patong - First Dates
Girlie bars in Patong (mostly bar beers are girlie bars) have up
to 10 "bar hostesses" willing to go with tourists for
money. Many girls are looking for a boyfriend, some for a short
time, others longer term - mainly as a financial asset. If you get
on well, she may well accompany you on trips around Thailand, providing
fun company and a local insight among the general services, but
you will have to negotiate a rate first. You will also have to pay
a "bar fine" each time "for a date" After that,
it's up to you!
Bar fine - This is the fee to cover a bar's 'loss' when
taking a girl out of the place for a 'date' and can vary with each
establishment. Usually 200 -500 Baht for the evening. If you're
planning to spend a few days or longer with the lady, you'll need
to negotiate the fine with the bar. This does not cover her fees
which would be discussed directly. Night rates vary between 1,000
- 4,000 Baht and like everything else, are negotiable..
Bar Girls in Patong - A few Tips
It's generally good advice to stay with a girl for only one night.
This avoids the situation where after two nights, she considers
you her boyfriend. This can produce jealous tantrums if you look,
or are tempted by other girls - even if you are paying!
If you decide to take her on trips etc., be prepared to pay for
meals, tickets and extras. A gift will be expected, usually anything
gold - bracelet, necklace, etc., Gold is both a status symbol and
an insurance when the money runs out. The pawn shop is never far
away.
You can be sure you'll be asked for your Email address, so she
can keep in touch with you, in case her family needs money. She
will keep in touch with you, but be aware she may get help from
friends or other visitors to write back, so don't write anything
you don't want others to read. Sooner or later you may receive an
e-mail requesting financial help because her mother is sick, or
the family buffalo has died. The same Email will reach several boyfriends
- not just you. And that's the start...
The above is general advice based on general experience, not every
working girl is the same. You can have lots of fun and a great time,
if you remember that working girls work for money!
Drink Price Guidelines
Beer (Singha, Chang) - Local beer 35-60 Baht;
International Beer (Heineken) From 35 to 70-90 Baht. Prices
100-140 Baht per bottle in discos and western upscale places.
Cocktails - Around 100-180 Baht. Some stratospheric prices
(300baht ++) depending on venue.
Admission - Most places have free entry, except for some
of the discos, which have a cover charge 100 or 200 Baht. The fee
usually covers one or two drinks - either alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
Happy Hours tend to come and go according to the whim of
the bar owner and how busy the bar is. Happy hours, usually from
5-7 pm or sometimes extending to 8-9 pm, offer up to 50% discounts
on cocktails or beer or sometimes "two for one" deals.
Check for signs outside the bar since it changes all the time.
Getting Around at Night
At night Soi Bangla turns into a pedestrianised walking street
with Tuk Tuks and motorcycle taxis at both ends to provide a ride
home. Prices are negotiable and tend to increase with the number
of passengers, the distance and the lateness of the hour. Many Tuk
Tuks charge excessive and inflated rates so it's best to check with
other visitors and locals first. ALWAYS agree the price before you
get in as it's difficult to negotiate after the journey.
Both motorcycle taxis and Tuk Tuks can be flagged down anywhere
along any of the streets. Head for Banana disco on the Beach Rd
(Thaveewong Rd) where most of the Tuk Tuks and motorcycle taxis
stay. Or at the other end of Bangla (near Tai Pan.)
While Patong is pretty safe for women. It's not advisable to travel
alone by Tuk-Tuk or motorbike late at night.
Dangers & Annoyances
The streets of Patong are quite safe at night. In fact, safer than
in many Western cities. Incidences of violence against tourists
are very rare, though there have been cases of purse snatching and
pickpocketing. The seemingly friendly Katoey (ladyboys) are infamous
for lifting wallets and having sudden bursts of nasty behaviour,
so be extra careful around these 'ladies'. Just use your common
sense and make sure your belongings are secure. If you take photos
of the Katoeys, be prepared to pay or it could get nasty. In discos,
it's rare to see any problems as the crowd is very international
and not obsessed with drinking themselves to oblivion.
The most common visitor complaint is of harassment by local touts
trying to lure people into anything from Indian restaurants to timeshare
presentations to tailor shops to Tuk-Tuk tours. Ignoring these characters
usually does the trick. Women are generally safe to go out at night,
though care should be taken travelling alone in Tuk Tuks and motorcycles.
Police:
There's a Police Information Centre at the bottom of Soi Bangla
on the Beach Road
More information about Patong
Beach.
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