London Lowf

In the sixties some people laughed at Japanese motorbikes, and then in the seventies Japanese cars.

China is taking over as the manufacturing hub of the world and there is nothing to stop it as, at the end of the day, people want cheap stuff - and it's not necessarily poor quality.

Well, the international arrivals for Saturday surpassed 1,000 for the first time (sadly, spread over eight flights) and I would guess that a fair few of them got their "Not detected" arrival PCR results and immediately went out looking for fun.

Regarding the 10pm closing, my initial reaction was that longer hours would simply mean spreading the available income over a longer period - if it was pre-Covid hours then post-midnight I think would be a waste of time remaining open.

Having said that, on previous visits my comfortable intake was six beers (and maybe a Sang Som + coke nightcap) with the attendant tips spread over about three hours in two or three different bars. Now, by the time I've got scrubbed up, had a meal and then hit a bar I only have time for three drinks, on occassion only two God forbid! And I just stick with one bar.

Inevitably the arrivals will continue to increase and the restrictions eased, but at what pace?. I read that domestic travelers are now queuing to get over the bridge, but not sure if they are cash-rich tourists or workers pinning their hopes on an upswing.

No - prime examples of people with social awareness and responsibility.

A failure.

Only the most committed tourists and long-stayers will come here as it's not really much of an improvement on the current situation - I'm afraid that many will find an easier alternative and permanently cross Thailand off their bucket list.

Pre-departure test and proof of double-vacination - full stop!

Saturday Night Fever?

As I’ve been staying in an hotel right next to Bangla for two weeks before relocating to an apartment, I’ve had a few beers every evening there – apart from a dull session in Kamala and then a fool’s errand to Rawai.

Last night was by far the busiest I’ve ever seen it, including a guest appearance from the ever-popular Xylo with a couple of mates, and there seemed to be just enough punters for the very few bars that are open. The surprising thing was that it was predominantly youngsters and couples and at 10pm closing time it was positively lively with crowds wandering around wondering what the hell to do next – head to the beach?  

It’s still a very sad situation compared to pre-Covid, but a first-time visitor would not know any different and, with the mainly enthusiastic bar girls and numerous sometimes stunning LB streetwalkers on view, it sure beats anything that many of us have back home.

A long way to go, but there is hope – Patong in general, and Bangla in particular, have clearly got past rock bottom and now the only way is up.

PS: And it hasn’t rained for two days!”

I'm with KB on this - 100% of locals wear a mask everywhere, even when riding - it was the first thing I noticed on the taxi ride from the airport.

There are a few tourists who ignore the regulations, and they will certainly get put straight the first time they walk into a 7.

Regarding the smack in the mouth - there were a couple of guys staying in my hotel, the typical Arab-looking kind that ride TMax's, and they really deserve one. I'm a bit old to act the vigilante, but hopefully one day soon.....

Things are gradually getting a little more relaxed at Bangla- the temperature scanning at the entrance was very casual last night and they simply stuck the “approved” label on my shirt as I walked through the barricades.

I must apologise to Xylo for doubting his judgement of the female form in my earlier post - I had a peek at a very busy Sea Dragon bar last night and there were indeed some very attractive hotties sprinkled around.

Apart from there, the go-to venue on Bangla seems to be Bar funk – odd as it is discretely half-hidden behind plastic drapes and so I can only guess that it has a strong presence on media. Definitely a younger crowd, and many well-presented unattached females of various genders coming and going, but not sure whether they are party types or freelancers.

Earlier in the day I’d ridden through Surin, Bang Tao and Cherngtalay and, despite the lack of visible tourists, the vast majority of businesses appeared open – in stark contrast to the scenes when cruising around Patong. I’ve noticed that many business premises here are not simply mothballed until better times, they have been gutted, abandoned, and left to rot!

From a quick cruise along Nanai, it does seem to be a bit of an exception as I reckon there are more bars along there than ever, including many that are re-branded or moved – all fighting for a few dozen punters. I didn’t notice many places to eat though and my former favourite pizza place appeared open but did not seem to have their oven fired up – but it was quite early in the evening so maybe later? Xylo will know!

I was hoping to start a new “Patong rises from the ashes” thread, but I think this one still has a way to go and any recovery is going to be slow and painful.

Regarding Bangla, I arrived for the Sandbox on Sunday and was there last night and everyone is now serving beers in bottles + condoms rather than plastic or (god forbid) soggy paper cups.

Interestingly, Sea Dragon bar used to be one of my favourites, but after one beer a couple of days ago I couldn't get away quick enough - the hustling is relentless even from the pavement in front. Desperate times, I guess, and to back up what Xylo mentioned, I did notice that a few of the girls had Suzie Wong t-shirts on. However, I cannot agree on their attractiveness -   I find screeching pushy bargirls an instant turn-off and that clouds my judgement. That said, I'm a medium term stayer rather than a typical tourist, and I'm sure most of the latter find that scene rather exciting.

After a few years of playing the bar-fine and lady-drink sucker I just like to have a beer in peace while I watch the world go by - Black Horse and it's sister Blue Orchid bars are good for that.

One thing I have noticed along the sadly sparsely populated Bangla is that the streetwalkers now seem to be exclusively ladyboys so I guess the straight (for want of a better word) girls have all moved online - as have I!