Why are there less people in bars from 2009 to 2015 in southern Phuket

[AdamTheFarang]

Is it that there are too many bars, is it that too many Asians/Russians are coming so the traditional Western European are not coming, is it the tougher Visa conditions? 2009 etc bars were full of Western Europeans 2015 they were mostly dead and the pretty ladies are not so common. 

[rwdrwdrwd]

I would say because of this - huge change in value for Brits / Euros when cost of living rises in Thailand and currency rates are considered:

 

 

 

[BritManToo]

Our money (all white currencies) is worth less in Thailand, and prices (especially of women) in Thailand are a lot higher.

Lots of other countries to visit where the currency changes are little or none.

Without the lure of cheap women, no point in visiting a bar.

I still visit Thailand but drink at home.

[NamKangMan]

On 7/12/2018 at 12:05 PM, BritManToo said:

Our money (all white currencies) is worth less in Thailand, and prices (especially of women) in Thailand are a lot higher.

Lots of other countries to visit where the currency changes are little or none.

Without the lure of cheap women, no point in visiting a bar.

I still visit Thailand but drink at home.

 

"I still visit Thailand but drink at home." - huh????

[stevenl]

First question is: are there less people in bars.

[NamKangMan]

5 minutes ago, stevenl said:

First question is: are there less people in bars.

 

Also, "Are there less bars?" 

[prophet01]

Also, are there fewer people/bars.

[xylophone]

45 minutes ago, stevenl said:

First question is: are there less people in bars.

Yes IMO...……And I think the graph regarding the currency changes is a direct pointer to this and why people are not flocking here in the same numbers – – their holiday/spending money just does not go as far.

 

Not only that, the GFC affected people in other ways (struggling pension funds and banks etc and some funds disappearing altogether) and quite probably made people tighten up on their spending.

 

And to take it a step further, the influx of Chinese, Indians, Arabs and the like, as well as some young families of those nationalities, do not spend time in bars (well not too much anyway apart from the occasional small party of Chinese who will enjoy a live band).

 

51 minutes ago, NamKangMan said:

Also, "Are there less bars?" 

I remember the good old days of a completely full Soi Eric, Soi Lion, Soi Crocodile and the original Tiger complex, as well as bars along the beach road and Sawadirak road, not to mention other places, and now those have gone.

 

Sure there is the "resurrected" Tiger and the new Tiger complex, however a great percentage of those bars are now empty and un-leased and Soi Eric has its fair share of empty bars. So yes, less bars.

 

11 minutes ago, prophet01 said:

Also, are there fewer people/bars.

See above...……….

[NamKangMan]

12 minutes ago, xylophone said:

Yes IMO...……And I think the graph regarding the currency changes is a direct pointer to this and why people are not flocking here in the same numbers – – their holiday/spending money just does not go as far.

 

Not only that, the GFC affected people in other ways (struggling pension funds and banks etc and some funds disappearing altogether) and quite probably made people tighten up on their spending.

 

And to take it a step further, the influx of Chinese, Indians, Arabs and the like, as well as some young families of those nationalities, do not spend time in bars (well not too much anyway apart from the occasional small party of Chinese who will enjoy a live band).

 

I remember the good old days of a completely full Soi Eric, Soi Lion, Soi Crocodile and the original Tiger complex, as well as bars along the beach road and Sawadirak road, not to mention other places, and now those have gone.

 

Sure there is the "resurrected" Tiger and the new Tiger complex, however a great percentage of those bars are now empty and un-leased and Soi Eric has its fair share of empty bars. So yes, less bars.

 

See above...……….

 

Less people in less currently surviving bars does not create a bright economic outlook for the hospitality sector on Phuket.

[LivinginKata]

On 7/12/2018 at 9:05 AM, BritManToo said:

Our money (all white currencies) is worth less in Thailand, and prices (especially of women) in Thailand are a lot higher.

Lots of other countries to visit where the currency changes are little or none.

Without the lure of cheap women, no point in visiting a bar.

I still visit Thailand but drink at home.

 

 

 I agree with all of that. I see it more as a change in demographics. Even before poor exchange rates and an influx of Chinese, it was obvious that the sex tourist was in rapid decline and the couples/family group was on the steady rise. The fall in f/x rate has impacted that group heavily, hence the rise of the charter Chinese to fill the accommodation gap. But not help independent bars and restaurants so much.

 

Good topic here. Hope it continues a while.   

[xylophone]

34 minutes ago, xylophone said:

and Soi Eric has its fair share of empty bars. So yes, less bars

OOPS...……...senile moment or wishful thinking; meant Soi Freedom!!!!!

 

 

[Jimi007]

 
 
 I agree with all of that. I see it more as a change in demographics. Even before poor exchange rates and an influx of Chinese, it was obvious that the sex tourist was in rapid decline and the couples/family group was on the steady rise. The fall in f/x rate has impacted that group heavily, hence the rise of the charter Chinese to fill the accommodation gap. But not help independent bars and restaurants so much.
 
Good topic here. Hope it continues a while.   

Spot on LIK! I agree 100%! Most the local Thais in Rawai I have known for many years, can’t stand the Chinese tourists! They weren’t very fond of the Russians either! But they still like me! LOL! I went to a bar for the first time in about 3 months a few days ago. Ran into a few people I hadn’t seen in a while. Kind of fun. The owner, an older Thai woman told me I can bring my own bottle and only pay 200 Baht for ice for the night! I had to laugh. Life is good!

[NamKangMan]

20 minutes ago, LivinginKata said:

 

 

 I agree with all of that. I see it more as a change in demographics. Even before poor exchange rates and an influx of Chinese, it was obvious that the sex tourist was in rapid decline and the couples/family group was on the steady rise. The fall in f/x rate has impacted that group heavily, hence the rise of the charter Chinese to fill the accommodation gap. But not help independent bars and restaurants so much.

 

Good topic here. Hope it continues a while.   

 

Yes, an interesting thread.

 

"it was obvious that the sex tourist was in rapid decline" - this is an interesting comment.  

 

If there is one thing Thailand has, it's an abundance of cheap sex workers.  Thailand is famous for its sex trade. 

 

Are you saying sex tourists are not coming to Thailand, or are just not coming to Phuket?

[BritManToo]

16 minutes ago, NamKangMan said:

"it was obvious that the sex tourist was in rapid decline" - this is an interesting comment.  

If there is one thing Thailand has, it's an abundance of cheap sex workers.  Thailand is famous for its sex trade. 

Are you saying sex tourists are not coming to Thailand, or are just not coming to Phuket?

 

Not quite true, sex here has tripled in price since 2009, and that's without considering my currency being worth 20% less.

In Vietnam and Philippines, my pals tell me nothing much has changed, and the exchange rates are near enough the same as 2009.

 

Ten years ago Thailand was cheap for sex, now it isn't.

Not that it matters much to me any more, I'm just here for the warm weather and temples.

There are still plenty of sex tourists touring the world, they just stopped coming to Thailand.

[LivinginKata]

26 minutes ago, NamKangMan said:

<snip> 

Are you saying sex tourists are not coming to Thailand, or are just not coming to Phuket?

 

Read my lips - 'in decline'  due to changing demographics.

 

Anyhow BritManToo answered eloquently ...   

[Old Croc]

I would have though comparisons with 2018 to be more relevant than what was happening in 2015.

Most patrons of the area have trouble remembering what happened last night.

[Berkshire]

Less bars, less hookers, less sex tourists.....isn't that the definition of "progress?"

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, Berkshire said:

Less bars, less hookers, less sex tourists.....isn't that the definition of "progress?"

My definition of progress would be a government elected by a vote the people.

Less bars, hookers and sex usually means an oppressive government trying to control everything.

[xylophone]

1 hour ago, Berkshire said:

Less bars, less hookers, less sex tourists.....isn't that the definition of "progress?"

Offset by the influx of cheap, ignorant and dirty Chinese?????

 

Progress??

[Berkshire]

12 minutes ago, xylophone said:

Offset by the influx of cheap, ignorant and dirty Chinese?????

 

Progress??

Yes, more Chinese are coming to Thailand.  It is what it is.  But are you suggesting more sex tourists would be good for Thailand? 

[xylophone]

20 minutes ago, Berkshire said:

Yes, more Chinese are coming to Thailand.  It is what it is.  But are you suggesting more sex tourists would be good for Thailand? 

No...…..just highlighting the trade off!!

[Aupee]

A lot of the posts are focusing on the price of sex .But if you add the price of your airfare to get here then the price is getting very expensive. If its an ordinary holiday you want then the med and its isles will give you good sunny holiday for less than the airfare to here. So the only real advantage of coming here is the EASY. Access to sex. You get what you paid for, thats life.?????????

[BritManToo]

16 hours ago, Berkshire said:

Yes, more Chinese are coming to Thailand.  It is what it is.  But are you suggesting more sex tourists would be good for Thailand? 

I don't see what's wrong with sex tourists.

Many of them end up getting married to a local lady, importing their assets and pensions, and providing education for fatherless kids.

Think of sex tourists as a Thai version of welfare for single moms.

[1FinickyOne]

Have you checked to see if they have run out of beer? 

 

Quick answer is that - - - things change... 

[Dazinoz]

I live in Chiang Mai for 5 years and have noticed a drop in number of people at the bars. Also a number of bars in Loi Kroh Road have dropped and a lot more food shops and tattoo parlours have opened. I have a couple of regular bars I goto and owners are saying more and more "to quiet, too quiet, no customer".

 

When I first started visiting Thailand I was getting around 33 baht for my aussie dollar. Lately I have gotten lest than 24.

 

As far as Chinese tourists go they don't seem to like spending the money. One bar I used to goto for the lovely food was owned by an American. I was talking to him and he said one night 4 Chinese men came in, sat down at a table and asked for 4 glasses and ice. They then pulled out their 711 bought beers and proceeded to drink them. He thought ok they may buy food. When asked to order they said they didn't want so he kicked them out.

 

As far as the sex trade goes I would often see a bar girl go off with a man. Very rarely see that now. Not sure if price or what. They don't seem as attractive as they used to be,maybe I have been here too long.

[cmrichsw]

It is easy to shop online (phone apps - you know for whatever) why go to bars. Maybe I just think different then the rest but it works for me.

 

[Dazinoz]

15 minutes ago, cmrichsw said:

It is easy to shop online (phone apps - you know for whatever) why go to bars. Maybe I just think different then the rest but it works for me.

 

Its called socialising

 

[Stargeezr]

Times have changed, thankfully there are still lovely women giving great massages.

[wallwallyau]

37 minutes ago, Dazinoz said:

I live in Chiang Mai for 5 years and have noticed a drop in number of people at the bars. Also a number of bars in Loi Kroh Road have dropped and a lot more food shops and tattoo parlours have opened. I have a couple of regular bars I goto and owners are saying more and more "to quiet, too quiet, no customer".

 

When I first started visiting Thailand I was getting around 33 baht for my aussie dollar. Lately I have gotten lest than 24.

 

As far as Chinese tourists go they don't seem to like spending the money. One bar I used to goto for the lovely food was owned by an American. I was talking to him and he said one night 4 Chinese men came in, sat down at a table and asked for 4 glasses and ice. They then pulled out their 711 bought beers and proceeded to drink them. He thought ok they may buy food. When asked to order they said they didn't want so he kicked them out.

 

As far as the sex trade goes I would often see a bar girl go off with a man. Very rarely see that now. Not sure if price or what. They don't seem as attractive as they used to be,maybe I have been here too long.

Chinese tourist are only interested in shopping in supermarket. When you go to different big supermarkets. Eg. Big C. You will see them a lot. They prefer to buy snacks or food rather than spending money in the bars. I guess they dont have a faith on their products in China due to quality issue.

[bbbbooboo]

hmmm..... less farangs are coming to Thailand because of all the visa BS primarily I suggest and with the increased cost of living and entertainment etc people are going somewhere else.Its certainly true for me and I suspect many others