On 5/21/2020 at 8:30 PM, geriatrickid said:

Unfortunately, many of these self designated  "musicians" in tourist zones are awful. How many times do I have to hear Smoke on the Water, or Proud Mary or  any other  very poorly performed 1970's era <deleted>?

Some are better than others. 
 

On 5/21/2020 at 8:30 PM, geriatrickid said:

It is one of the many reasons why the bars  didn't do well. That, and the filthy uncomfortable decor and the hovering of the  prostitutes. Not all of us want to be bothered by elderly hookers or folks we know  will share their herpes/ hiv/ warts/lice for a bit of dosh.

I've seen the "smoke on the water" bars absolutely packed with tourists, so seems some dig that sort of thing.  Then there are the "lady" bars - to each, their own.  If they are doing poorly, they will change their business model or be gone on their own.

 

On 5/21/2020 at 8:30 PM, geriatrickid said:

 

Many places in Thailand have done well. They have a focus and some of the following characteristics;

- Well trained staff

-  Safe and pleasant atmosphere

- Noise levels  that do not impair hearing and where you don't have to shout to be heard.

- Decent kitchens

- Fair pricing

- Friendliness

 

The absolutely worst places to have a drink are in the crowded ghetto beer bars found in Patong, Pattaya  etc. No ambiance and they attract too many losers.  Get rid of the cheap  dirty plastic chair type of bar/brothel and replace with places that have a vibe, and cut the number of the joints.

It's not one or the other.  Why not have the maximum number of Thais making money?  Some cater to your cup-of-tea, and others for what others prefer?  Zoning is fine, of course - so the rich don't have to see the "rabble."  Besides that, leave it up to business-owners to find what sells or doesn't. 

 

The fact is, if you moved the entire Pattaya-bar + Walking St collection to an island off the coast, Pattaya would die, and that that island would flourish.  Then, some folks would call for the island to be closed, because they don't like other people enjoying a different lifestyle. 

I get it - it's not for me either - but I don't want to stop others from doing what they want - spending money that supports Thais.

The entertainment industry killed itself many years ago, and there’s no need to blame covid-19 for its demise. Just like any profession that no longer satisfies the consumer - do something else! 

4 hours ago, JackThompson said:

The fact is, if you moved the entire Pattaya-bar + Walking St collection to an island off the coast, Pattaya would die, and that that island would flourish. 

I think LK Metro is an example of that. 

 

It was nothing until some bar owners made a small enclave of gogo bars and girly bars, and then the crowd followed and it became a busy place.