Patong’s Bangla nightlife area faces darkest hour

By Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

A woman takes a photo of the famous sign over Bangla Rd, the only place in Phuket still under lockdown. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

PHUKET: As daily life edges towards resembling normality, bars, pubs and entertainment venues yesterday were not included in Phase 4 of the government’s lifting of COVID-19 related restrictions.

 

The decimated tourism industry, very much the lifeblood of entertainment venues, has had, and will continue to have, a hugely detrimental effect. Even with Phuket airport reopening to domestic flights today (June 13), it remains closed to international visitors and, even when open, there is bound to be trepidation for many to travel in the immediate future.

 

The closure of entertainment venues in Patong alone is estimated to have costed Phuket B100 million a day in lost revenues, according to Weerawit Kreuasombat, President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA).

 

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/patong-bangla-nightlife-area-faces-darkest-hour-76376.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2020-06-13

 

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They should make a distinction between enclosed pubs and discos and open air bars. 

Without the pubs/bars who is going to visit to use all the other venues?

Time to invest in the nightlife. From the original article:

 

"For example, a small bar would have lost about B300,000 per month; a medium business up to a million per month and larger businesses about 20-30 million per month." 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Antifreeze said:

They should make a distinction between enclosed pubs and discos and open air bars. 

Well said, they are two totally different species !

Yes, it "costed" a lot. 

There used to be a lot of very interesting things in The Guinness Book of World Records. Alas now many of the permitted categories have been discontinued, like the "Fast Draw", when it was revealed that many people were shooting themselves in the foot in an attempt at world recognition ????

Thank God the girls still have Thai Friendly, Badoo, Tinder and Tic Toc. We don't really need those bar? Do we???  I have met more hot  girls on Line these last few months then all my time in Thailand. Still having fun!!  Oh!! Don't forget the beach had been a good pick up place for all.  Free and  not Free.  Peoole will survive no matter what!! 

Patong and walking street are going to be the 2 biggest hit areas.  

 

While tourism is going to be non existent the new tourists will be people looking for fun but at a low price.  

 

The simple bar that they have is going to go the way of the do do bird.  People are going to want a more upscale place.

 

Last time I was in Phuket was 99 so I am sure it has changed but it needs to change for the better and look not at the beer crowds looking to get someone the side but more as a family area with places where dad can still get a beer and chat up.

Patongs Bangla was dying before covid hit, ONLY the bar's directly on the street were ever really busy, all the ones down the sois, an under clubs were dead

Don't expect any renters to be flocking back anytime soon

But but but...

 

I only ever went for the temples and the banana boat rides!!!  

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Even with Phuket airport reopening to domestic flights today (June 13), it remains closed to international visitors and, even when open, there is bound to be trepidation for many to travel in the immediate future.

The only "trepidation" foreign tourist may have will be that "having fun" will essentially be illegal.  Until the Thai government allows "normalcy", then don't expect to see tourist. 

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The closure of entertainment venues in Patong alone is estimated to have costed Phuket B100 million a day in lost revenues

Not to mention tea money for the boys, now that's got to hurt ????

 

4 hours ago, Oldie said:

Time to invest in the nightlife. From the original article:

 

"For example, a small bar would have lost about B300,000 per month; a medium business up to a million per month and larger businesses about 20-30 million per month." 

 

 

 

You'd think so with those figures. Somehow I think this might relate to income rather than profit

Though the Disney type spots are not my thing, the last time I was at Bangla, all of the pricing was absolutely insane. From the drinks to the bar fines to the quoted "fees". Even years ago it did not appear to be sustainable. And to some extent the same applies to the go go bars in Bangkok and Pattaya. So, perhaps some sort of reset was needed. The gals will find their way. The fine ones will always be in demand online. And the others? Well this whole thing is going to require alot of adjustments. 

 

 

This is what the temperance league of Bangkok has wanted for years. Once again, Thailand will shoot itself in the foot given the opportunity. Vietnam is opening up is "adult tourism" and Thailand is closing down. What do you think the result will be? 

I am surprised  it is still going,, considering the cost of the drinks and how few people drink there now because it is so expensive

Everything in moderation. Phuket was thriving for the last 15 years and upped the crossbar each year to squeeze more money out of the tourist. Guess a little payback time now the other way ????????????

Take a leaf from Pattaya's book:-

 

Pictures of plans to completely revolutionize the area from Walking Street to the Bali Hai port in Pattaya have been unveiled by the local council.

 

Grubby has been replaced by grandiose!

Do you think bars will be tempted to pad the bills more than they normally did in Phuket, once they open, to catch up on lost money?

43 minutes ago, Expat Tom said:

This is what the temperance league of Bangkok has wanted for years. Once again, Thailand will shoot itself in the foot given the opportunity. Vietnam is opening up is "adult tourism" and Thailand is closing down. What do you think the result will be? 

Then Vietnam will have all the booze and sex tourists and all the problems with them and Thailand can focus on the tourists that really bring money? 

5 hours ago, Oldie said:

Time to invest in the nightlife. From the original article:

 

"For example, a small bar would have lost about B300,000 per month; a medium business up to a million per month and larger businesses about 20-30 million per month." 

 

 

 

I seriously doubt many small bars were grossing anywhere near 300,000 per month.  Maybe half of that if lucky, and after overhead and expenses, many were a losing proposition.

Don’t worry, these guys up there know exactly how to ride the complete country economy in the s**t.....

Good luck nobody mentioned the overcharging TukTuk drivers yet.

Simple answer as substitute 

 Use the internet. Everything is online.

 

Why go to a bar when you can bring the bar to you

 

Order some beers woman and what not and you got you bangle road in your room

1 hour ago, 4MyEgo said:

....try striking a conversation cold turkey in a shopping centre, a little eye contact, a smile and the rest is history unless your butt ugly....

 

Is that for 4YourEgo??? 

1 hour ago, Expat Tom said:

Vietnam is opening up is "adult tourism" and Thailand is closing down.

I don't think that's the case at all. Vietnam officials specifically point to Thailand's sex industry as what they don't want. Not saying one can't have "fun" there, but it's not in your face like Thailand. Which is just fine for them. 

Oh and for those idiots that get all boozed up and cause problems, the VN police have much less tolerance than the Thai police. But one can have a great time there no doubt.

2 hours ago, Expat Tom said:

This is what the temperance league of Bangkok has wanted for years. Once again, Thailand will shoot itself in the foot given the opportunity. Vietnam is opening up is "adult tourism" and Thailand is closing down. What do you think the result will be? 

Vietnam is most definitely not open for "adult tourism". 

3 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

Not to mention tea money for the boys, now that's got to hurt ????

 

They still want their monthly kickback open or not and no doubt have barely suffered

1 hour ago, Oldie said:

Then Vietnam will have all the booze and sex tourists and all the problems with them and Thailand can focus on the tourists that really bring money? 

They can forget the Chinese, they just got another outbreak today and are under emergency rule again...