webfact Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 Pandemic dims lights on Thailand's $5bn nightlife sector Government plans aid for bars and restaurants, but recovery prospects uncertain MARIMI KISHIMOTO, Nikkei staff writer The coronavirus has brought Bangkok's world-famous nightlife to a pause. (Photo by Akira Kodaka) BANGKOK -- These are hard times for Thailand's vaunted nightlife industry. Nightclubs and bars, which contribute more than $5.5 billion a year to the overall economy, are the country's hidden "dollar box." But regulations that went into effect in late March to halt the spread of the new coronavirus are delivering a body blow to establishments, with cries of despair increasingly heard from proprietors. "The coronavirus is going to kill the bar business," said Nutthapon, a 37-year-old manager of one establishment in Bangkok. From March 22, restaurants in the city's greater metropolitan area were banned from offering anything other than takeout or delivery services. The edict was expanded on March 26 to include the entire country. "I need to pay rent and my employees' salaries," said Nutthapon. "Right now, I'm getting by through breaking into my savings. But I don't know if I can survive for two more months." Full story: https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Pandemic-dims-lights-on-Thailand-s-5bn-nightlife-sector -- © Copyright Nikkei Asian Review 2020-04-24 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Thailand Posted April 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2020 I guess the government is between a rock and a hard place, allow opening and risk more infections don"t allow it, more people out of work and revenue continuing to decline. 10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post EVENKEEL Posted April 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2020 They have to reopen soon. Suicides from no income are mounting. 15 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post OnTheGround Posted April 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2020 The fight of the fittest. Well run establishments with savings, will survive. Bars with less number of regular customers (often due to lack of quality hostesses), will go down. They had it coming any way. Old fat hostesses who play with their phones, doesn't attract customers. Less than half might survive if this last 6 months. Remains will be bought by big brother chinese, and lots of new hostesses ???? 13 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mtls2005 Posted April 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2020 These land-based cruise ships will be the last thing to open here. Time for the ladies and lads to get used to working on their feet. 1 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jadee Posted April 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2020 Out of interest, what are all the women doing now? Gone back to the farm or started working online? (...asking for a friend...) 2 1 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Sametboy2019 Posted April 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2020 1 minute ago, jadee said: Out of interest, what are all the women doing now? Gone back to the farm or started working online? (...asking for a friend...) Takeaways 3 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Sharp Posted April 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2020 As said survival of the fittest . There is definitely going to be less completion for the ones than can survive so maybe the service will improve. Lets hope. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChipButty Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 34 minutes ago, jadee said: Out of interest, what are all the women doing now? Gone back to the farm or started working online? (...asking for a friend...) Gone back to sticky rice land, so Im told 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petermik Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 8 hours ago, mtls2005 said: These land-based cruise ships will be the last thing to open here. Time for the ladies and lads to get used to working on their feet. And here,s me thinking most of their work was done on their backs......... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharp Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 1 hour ago, BigBadGeordie said: I don't understand why you post links that are behind a paywall? Use 'Brave browser blocks all the BS 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChipButty Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 8 minutes ago, petermik said: And here,s me thinking most of their work was done on their backs......... And bending over 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NCC1701A Posted April 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2020 1 hour ago, webfact said: Nightclubs and bars, which contribute more than $5.5 billion a year to the overall economy interesting to see this number. but it does not include the girls fee. so think how much they are making. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChipButty Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 8 minutes ago, Sharp said: Use 'Brave browser blocks all the BS I saved that not used it yet whats the advantages of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCC1701A Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 1 minute ago, ChipButty said: I saved that not used it yet whats the advantages of it? look at their website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo2014 Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 I have a new concept for a bar Im planning to Open. Any comments welcome. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post spidermike007 Posted April 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2020 The bar business was already declining here, and has been for the past 10 years. This will be the nail on the coffin for many, that were just holding on. Hopefully a good many will survive, and no doubt we will see alot of new ones over time. Perhaps the insane bar fines will drop! Bangkok was getting out of control. Maybe we can refer to this as a PMC (positive market correction). 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post petermik Posted April 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2020 7 hours ago, spidermike007 said: The bar business was already declining here, and has been for the past 10 years. This will be the nail on the coffin for many, that were just holding on. Hopefully a good many will survive, and no doubt we will see alot of new ones over time. Perhaps the insane bar fines will drop! Bangkok was getting out of control. Maybe we can refer to this as a PMC (positive market correction). In all probability prices will increase to make up for their shortfalls.....thai logic 7 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actonion Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 Restaurants only allowed to give "take out food" to stop social gatherings ? but Street markets here in East pattaya allowed to trade with hundreds of customers daily, many without masks a haven to any virus.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oziex1 Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 2 hours ago, OnTheGround said: The fight of the fittest. Well run establishments with savings, will survive. Bars with less number of regular customers (often due to lack of quality hostesses), will go down. They had it coming any way. Old fat hostesses who play with their phones, doesn't attract customers. Less than half might survive if this last 6 months. Remains will be bought by big brother chinese, and lots of new hostesses ???? But will they get it, or will they just go back to opening a bar, next to a bar that is next to another bar that is across the soi from many other bars. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Oziex1 Posted April 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2020 39 minutes ago, Jimbo2014 said: I have a new concept for a bar Im planning to Open. Any comments welcome. Can you fill the canisters on the masks with Chang? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzian Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 1 hour ago, jadee said: Out of interest, what are all the women doing now? Gone back to the farm or started working online? (...asking for a friend...) My favorite massage woman is far away back in the village, catching fish and eating mangos. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matzzon Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 It´s great like it is. They can concentrate on creating more regular work for the people who lost it instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Rookiescot Posted April 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2020 57 minutes ago, Jimbo2014 said: I have a new concept for a bar Im planning to Open. Any comments welcome. Can they wear badges with their name on it? I for one do not want any embarrassing encounters with ladyboys when we eventually head to the decontamination room. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozz1 Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 It's going to be interesting to see if and when things go back to normal if ever ! I guess you will see farangs buying bars and thinking they will make a fortune again only time will tell 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yadon Toploy Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 10 minutes ago, Matzzon said: It´s great like it is. They can concentrate on creating more regular work for the people who lost it instead. Such as? Who is going to create work for a 40 year old brass that does groups of Indians to feed their family in Isaan? The only things that 'create jobs' in this country are the bureaucracy and foreign investment. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matzzon Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 5 minutes ago, Yadon Toploy said: The only things that 'create jobs' in this country are the bureaucracy and foreign investment. ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Yadon Toploy Posted April 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, webfact said: The coronavirus is going to kill the bar business The global financial crisis killed the Bangkok bar scene in 2008, most of the expats with decent jobs left and it has been on a slow decline ever since. All that survived were the boiler room bars on Sukhumvit built with stolen UK and Aussie pensioners' money. All the pockets of beer bars have closed, and now it has lost the character and edge that Bangkok so exciting. Washington Square, Queen's Park Plaza, Soi 10, Asok Plaza, Soi 22 Plaza, Soi Zero, Impressionists' Row, Clinton Plaza, Soi 7 etc. All gone. Cowboy turned from a sexpat enclave into a neon tourist eyesore. Nana died a death when they refurbished it, Soi Nana looks like it is on its last legs and rigor mortis set in to Patpong long ago. Only a few bars in Patpong 2 worth going to nowadays. Edited April 24, 2020 by Yadon Toploy 12 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Yadon Toploy Posted April 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2020 3 minutes ago, Matzzon said: ???? And on to my ignore list you go. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post pmarlin Posted April 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2020 Just can't feel sorry for them. Those owners have been ripping off tourist for years 100 to 300 percent markup on prices for beer, etc. They all were greedy and now they want sympathy. Most of them weren't legal anyway. 4 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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