Many judge whether the area is alive or not by their visit/s during peak hours. I think this is off. Even September October peak evening especially weekends will be generally lively. The question is how long it's sustained. I was down on 4, 8, Cowboy in past weeks and would characterize the areas as dead. There was only a trickle of staff entering Nana (probably more shady ladyboys then go go girls). Hooters was kinda full, stumble inn even rail not full, day night is so tight and narrow hard to judge. All these pubs empty now daytime. Cowboy was a ghost town and has a very scammy feel about it. I mean... It has for some time at least back to covid. Really even before. Other than Dollhouse I wouldn't go inside any gogo there. *Dollhouse upstairs long clothes and the show downstairs is marginal at best. I understand they lost their longtime manager there. That I follow those things

 

Had a few walk thru Thermae past few weeks. I've not done any negotiating, but judging by the fingers I see put up the going rate is 4k for a short time and 5k if she doesn't like you. It's hard to say what these women are actually worth. I've read some will take 2.5-3k. 2.5 would be reasonable if a room was included. I understand they're going to try and get more and probably should from the tourists. I shouldn't be so quick to judge the high prices. I'm comparing their attractiveness and the price to Ratchada. Admittedly, many of the women in there are too attractive to find in some a sketchy Sukhumvit tourist massage joint. More like Ratchada material - still too pricey at 4k especially plus room

 

They're all interested in short time which is fine. My guess is they're all show and no go. Do their best not to mess their face / makeup. 4k plus room is ridiculous for all but perhaps a few of those birds (Sat nights only). I get plenty of nods and smiles, but noticed the girls eyes also go quickly to the few Japanese old men and the Asian kids all who will overpay, not do any damage to their cervix and bust a nut in a few minutes. Most of those kids are just there to have a look. I stay for a beer, get bored and leave. Perhaps the kiddies walk in a circle 12-15 times and consume a few beers they actually get down to negotiating. Doubt. 

 

I don't like the setup new Thermae and never did. So much wasted space, ventilation. I especially don't like all the pushy, gruff old men bustling about and pushing drinks. The b20 charge to pee is a total eye roll. Sooner or later I'm going to get hassled for not paying it. Like everything else, I miss the old days. I'd visited thermae 1 a few times but then I just relocated entirely to Pattaya when blowing thru Thailand.

 

Anyway, I think you'll get better, cheaper service in a knocking shop. Thermae .. all a bit prettier than those birds, but not worth 50% plus premium.

 

Overall, I think we are at an end of an era with these bars and pubs. The women, staff going to start to get so desperate that they will begin scamming locals.

 

In general, the drinks prices outside happy hour are ridiculous. It's one thing to pay b130 in a gogo. It's quite another to pay that sort of price in some open-air pub without air conditioning. Some years back I took a quick walk through Nana and was absolutely shocked at the price of beers in the Go-Go bars.

 

Cowboy just seems like it's absolutely finished and on its last gasp. I'm expecting the whole thing to be bought out and the facades just turned into coffee, drinks and snacks cafes where tourists come and just take pictures with their kids and pose under the neon.

 

Bacara seems to still be going on. You always know a woman working at that their because they're the only pretty ones that are walking down the soi. Toy Bar is just a bunch of grannies as old as I am.

 

There are two new pubs open on Sukhumvit. They aren't doing a very good job of attracting anyone. These won't be a place for locals to drink more like sucking and tourists walking down the street. One is under the escalator near 8 and the other further up Sukhumvit.

 

To summarize as of early June 2025, early evening - in my opinion these areas are absolutely dead with the exception of a burst of business during peak hours.

 

I think many of them stay open simply because they launder cash. They have so much stuff that contribute little or nothing I don't see a future for any of it.

 

It's all dead. Upper 4, soi 7, soi 22, Cowboy on life support. Nana in ICU.

 

Seems to even be a dearth of drinks girls and barflies hovering about pestering one for b180 mocktails as well

Nana just seems like all Ladyboys these days. 

On 7/10/2024 at 9:03 AM, JimTripper said:

It feels like Bangkok redlight areas like Patpong, Cowboy and Nana are devoid of customers. Especially Patpong. The night market was dead and hardly anybody there tonight. Is it just me? I think if I went into a go-go I would be the only one there.

 

I remember the Patpong area crowded with people when I first came to Thailand, standing room only.

 

What happened? Where is everybody? I don't think it's a low season thing, feels more like it's going out of style.

 

There was some activity and traffic on the Japanese street, but the old school street was dead.

Just sounds like low season to me.   Best time to go imo.

Too much gentrification in bkk

 

 

 

Who's going to be brave enough to say in this DEI life that the reason it's all gone south is because the Expat Mongers have been replaced by the 3rd World winners 🤔

On 7/11/2024 at 1:47 AM, Yagoda said:

 

 

Nana may be a bit quiet, but will pick up when I return at the end of September.

He meant «not enough girls». Nobody is missing old deplorable and vomiting drunks. Please, stay where you are currently at. Thank you.

56 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

He meant «not enough girls». Nobody is missing old deplorable and vomiting drunks. Please, stay where you are currently at. Thank you.

Sorry little fella Ive already got things lined up.

This is another one of those dumb threads that never dies.  Repeated every low season with short term memory loss of just how busy Thailand was 6 months before.

5 hours ago, GrimHappy said:

Who's going to be brave enough to say in this DEI life that the reason it's all gone south is because the Expat Mongers have been replaced by the 3rd World winners 🤔

 

I didn't know South Korea and Japan were 3rd world.

It's because suicide rate is much higher than it used to be. 

On 6/9/2025 at 7:47 AM, Nicco said:

I don't like the setup new Thermae and never did

 

4k for a quick shag these days? cheaper at home maybe. Last time I went there it was 1k all night with an exchange rate over 70 to the pound, and no toilet charges. Have they still got the juke box?

On 9/6/2025 at 11:19 AM, proton said:

 

4k for a quick shag these days? cheaper at home maybe. Last time I went there it was 1k all night with an exchange rate over 70 to the pound, and no toilet charges. Have they still got the juke box?

 

Last time lol. That never happened thermae 2 bc that rate was early 00s. #2 only opened about ten years. 

 

1 hour in many knocking shops is 2k including the room. These woman a step up in quality. 3k is on the high end for low to mid girlies though. 

 

Seems bottom end for any companionship is 2k no matter where unless it's a shop running specials. Soi 4 drinks slappers will try for 4k ..ridiculous 

 

Yes, girlies are an upgrade from the vacinity, but I don't like the setup at all. No fresh air, pushing drinks and I've never paid insane 20b for toilet. The juke is there, unused. 

 

I find 85% smiling and cordial. Another 5-10% seemed welcoming enough for approach. I don't chat with them despite them standing about tense, bored bc maybe someone else will take them and I don't want to get in their way nor "waste their time"

 

Probably every night I go in a few girls will make unsolicited offers from 2-3k. They like upstairs which is another ripoff b700 for ST. I'm guessing it's a timed hour ffs. 

 

The girlies definitely prefer the Asian guys. It might be the 333 rule, but there's plenty. Last time out two very hot girlies all smiles. I've usually had 5 6 beer and headed home. No shape at my age to be spending that money, at that time with wife just getting home 7-8pm

 

You say you can get it at home for this price, but those are slappers. Thermae girlies look decent, shapely

 

I think most members are afraid of the women in there and the game tbh. 

 

Conversely, the drinks slappers on lower sois are (35-50yo) very lazy, maybe sexy but not really attractive and all very heavy. Most are there to chat with you and nothing more. If you do take one expect she will try to extract money from you at every opportunity... and there are many. 

 

Anyone have more to report on the Thermae or area? 

On 8/28/2025 at 9:20 PM, GrimHappy said:

Who's going to be brave enough to say in this DEI life that the reason it's all gone south is because the Expat Mongers have been replaced by the 3rd World winners 🤔

 

Which nations might those be? 

 

Best laugh I will have all day.

 

You don't have to be Chad 5000x, you just have to be the best choice in the room.

On 8/29/2025 at 1:27 AM, Yagoda said:

Sorry little fella Ive already got things lined up.

 

You ain't got nothing. You live in some dusty moo bahn in Nakon Nowhere 

On 6/9/2025 at 7:47 AM, Nicco said:

Many judge whether the area is alive or not by their visit/s during peak hours. I think this is off. Even September October peak evening especially weekends will be generally lively. The question is how long it's sustained. I was down on 4, 8, Cowboy in past weeks and would characterize the areas as dead. There was only a trickle of staff entering Nana (probably more shady ladyboys then go go girls). Hooters was kinda full, stumble inn even rail not full, day night is so tight and narrow hard to judge. All these pubs empty now daytime. Cowboy was a ghost town and has a very scammy feel about it. I mean... It has for some time at least back to covid. Really even before. Other than Dollhouse I wouldn't go inside any gogo there. *Dollhouse upstairs long clothes and the show downstairs is marginal at best. I understand they lost their longtime manager there. That I follow those things

 

Had a few walk thru Thermae past few weeks. I've not done any negotiating, but judging by the fingers I see put up the going rate is 4k for a short time and 5k if she doesn't like you. It's hard to say what these women are actually worth. I've read some will take 2.5-3k. 2.5 would be reasonable if a room was included. I understand they're going to try and get more and probably should from the tourists. I shouldn't be so quick to judge the high prices. I'm comparing their attractiveness and the price to Ratchada. Admittedly, many of the women in there are too attractive to find in some a sketchy Sukhumvit tourist massage joint. More like Ratchada material - still too pricey at 4k especially plus room

 

They're all interested in short time which is fine. My guess is they're all show and no go. Do their best not to mess their face / makeup. 4k plus room is ridiculous for all but perhaps a few of those birds (Sat nights only). I get plenty of nods and smiles, but noticed the girls eyes also go quickly to the few Japanese old men and the Asian kids all who will overpay, not do any damage to their cervix and bust a nut in a few minutes. Most of those kids are just there to have a look. I stay for a beer, get bored and leave. Perhaps the kiddies walk in a circle 12-15 times and consume a few beers they actually get down to negotiating. Doubt. 

 

I don't like the setup new Thermae and never did. So much wasted space, ventilation. I especially don't like all the pushy, gruff old men bustling about and pushing drinks. The b20 charge to pee is a total eye roll. Sooner or later I'm going to get hassled for not paying it. Like everything else, I miss the old days. I'd visited thermae 1 a few times but then I just relocated entirely to Pattaya when blowing thru Thailand.

 

Anyway, I think you'll get better, cheaper service in a knocking shop. Thermae .. all a bit prettier than those birds, but not worth 50% plus premium.

 

Overall, I think we are at an end of an era with these bars and pubs. The women, staff going to start to get so desperate that they will begin scamming locals.

 

In general, the drinks prices outside happy hour are ridiculous. It's one thing to pay b130 in a gogo. It's quite another to pay that sort of price in some open-air pub without air conditioning. Some years back I took a quick walk through Nana and was absolutely shocked at the price of beers in the Go-Go bars.

 

Cowboy just seems like it's absolutely finished and on its last gasp. I'm expecting the whole thing to be bought out and the facades just turned into coffee, drinks and snacks cafes where tourists come and just take pictures with their kids and pose under the neon.

 

Bacara seems to still be going on. You always know a woman working at that their because they're the only pretty ones that are walking down the soi. Toy Bar is just a bunch of grannies as old as I am.

 

There are two new pubs open on Sukhumvit. They aren't doing a very good job of attracting anyone. These won't be a place for locals to drink more like sucking and tourists walking down the street. One is under the escalator near 8 and the other further up Sukhumvit.

 

To summarize as of early June 2025, early evening - in my opinion these areas are absolutely dead with the exception of a burst of business during peak hours.

 

I think many of them stay open simply because they launder cash. They have so much stuff that contribute little or nothing I don't see a future for any of it.

 

It's all dead. Upper 4, soi 7, soi 22, Cowboy on life support. Nana in ICU.

 

Seems to even be a dearth of drinks girls and barflies hovering about pestering one for b180 mocktails as well

 

Agree to all

8 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

 

Anyone have more to report on the Thermae or area? 

I'll be there in about 2 weeks again. My favorite place in town but I can afford 20 bucks for a toilet. I don't mind 700 Baht for a room there it's convenient and why would I want to schlep in the heat for a couple blocks to save a hundred baht. In fact I usually stay at the hotel when I'm in town it's a great bargain, they have a nice pool and the rooms are clean. The breakfast sucks

14 hours ago, Yagoda said:

I'll be there in about 2 weeks again. My favorite place in town but I can afford 20 bucks for a toilet. I don't mind 700 Baht for a room there it's convenient and why would I want to schlep in the heat for a couple blocks to save a hundred baht. In fact I usually stay at the hotel when I'm in town it's a great bargain, they have a nice pool and the rooms are clean. The breakfast sucks

 

So, you actually stay there and not use hotel as ST, got it. 

 

It might be a good value for Sukhumvit, but great rooms to be had outside city center for 750-1200b

 

On principle, ESPECIALLY after b130 for a beer I will absolutely not pay b20 to pee. Moreover, in my 35 years in and out of Asia that is the most expensive toilet in Asia. 

 

I think one of the reasons the soi 7 bar group has floundered since it's opening is precisely the locked toilet and b10 fee. Even b5 is ridiculous to relieve oneself and especially in the joint you purchased the drink!! I can't think of anywhere within four walls that has the audacity to charge patrons to relieve themselves. 

 

The girlies are fine. I hate the joint. All the Thai workers are pushy and offense. They would never act in this manner with Thai people 

I find the whole scene quite tiring now. 

 

Pushy Mamasans, overweight overly tattooed "dancers" (shufflers), overpriced low quality drinks, dirty smelly locales, obnoxious security.

 

Not worth the effort to go, especially in wet season. 

 

 

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

I find the whole scene quite tiring now. 

 

Pushy Mamasans, overweight overly tattooed "dancers" (shufflers), overpriced low quality drinks, dirty smelly locales, obnoxious security.

 

Not worth the effort to go, especially in wet season. 

 

 

 

I couldn't agree more. I'm not out in the evening, more like day drinking that on some occasions turns to early evening. I need to get out of my condo into relatively fresh air. 

 

I unfortunately don't drink spirits out it's just a ridiculously stupid value for money. The pour is miniscule 

 

All the women seem so desperate and money hungry, but they have their price and often won't budge.

 

I don't know what sort of women still on 22 and perhaps I should have a look, but there and many joints ST can be had for b2k and massaging extremities for half that. Standard price for Thai women on the game is 2k. Yet, the floozies working the farang circuit it's 3k. That's fine perhaps for a thermae girlie, but out of the question for what usually is lurking about Sukhumvit 

 

The drinks girls are shocking middle aged heavy. In fact, I was just noticing how everyone in BKK is getting fat. 

10 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

So, you actually stay there and not use hotel as ST, got it. 

Yeah, its a decent place, $40 including brekkie and fabulous location. So what if its old and worn and sleazy, so am I. The beds are comfy and the upper floors are quiet.

 

10 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

t might be a good value for Sukhumvit, but great rooms to be had outside city center for 750-1200b

Ive had great rooms outside the city center for 500Baht, but in my Golden Years, Ill pay the extra $30 for a room convenient to where I am wallowing in the filth of my own degradation, so to speak. Ive done my time commuting in from Thonburi or Tao Poon.

 

10 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

On principle, ESPECIALLY after b130 for a beer I will absolutely not pay b20 to pee. Moreover, in my 35 years in and out of Asia that is the most expensive toilet in Asia. 

 

I dont have a principle that mandates that I deprive the lady that cleans up after I blow out a hearty Laab Moo dump a tip of 75 US cents. In the Thermae, that Lady has been there as long as I have been going there. 

 

10 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

All the Thai workers are pushy and offense.

Not to me. Im greeted in Thermae with hugs and back slapping. Along with other benefits.

On 5/16/2025 at 2:58 AM, Magictoad said:

Since 2014 Bangkok nightlife has been dead: that the year Thermaes started to close at 12 or 1am not 7am. It's also the year a new military junta took over.

Thermae now closes at 2am

On 6/8/2025 at 8:47 PM, Nicco said:

Cowboy was a ghost town and has a very scammy feel about it.

Thats what goes on there. Drink scams. Experienced mongers avoid. Its for tourists, not serious banging.

 

On 6/8/2025 at 8:47 PM, Nicco said:

I get plenty of nods and smiles, but noticed the girls eyes also go quickly to the few Japanese old men and the Asian kids all who will overpay, not do any damage to their cervix and bust a nut in a few minutes. Most of those kids are just there to have a look. I stay for a beer, get bored and leave. Perhaps the kiddies walk in a circle 12-15 times and consume a few beers they actually get down to negotiating.

Thats an exact description., If you are a 6 foot ripped Montana Cowboy, you are paying a premium for wear and tear. Im dont LOL

 

On 6/8/2025 at 8:47 PM, Nicco said:

Like everything else, I miss the old days. I'd visited thermae 1 a few times but then I just relocated entirely to Pattaya when blowing thru Thailand.

So you were at the Thermae before it moved 30 years ago?

Empty of what? Hot girls going long time for 10 thousand baht? No shortage of two-week millionaires chasing willing hotties these days.

On 9/10/2025 at 7:04 PM, Yagoda said:

So you were at the Thermae before it moved 30 years ago?

 

Yup. Only a few times. I loved the vibe,  just couldn't stay up that late. I've always been early riser. 96 I relocated base to Pattaya.  I'd only get to lower Sukhumvit a night or two every year. Around 2002 I left BKK entirely behind.  Pattaya was rockin

On 9/10/2025 at 6:49 PM, Yagoda said:

Yeah, its a decent place, $40 including brekkie and fabulous location. So what if its old and worn and sleazy, so am I. The beds are comfy and the upper floors are quiet.

 

Ive had great rooms outside the city center for 500Baht, but in my Golden Years, Ill pay the extra $30 for a room convenient to where I am wallowing in the filth of my own degradation, so to speak. Ive done my time commuting in from Thonburi or Tao Poon.

 

I dont have a principle that mandates that I deprive the lady that cleans up after I blow out a hearty Laab Moo dump a tip of 75 US cents. In the Thermae, that Lady has been there as long as I have been going there. 

 

Not to me. Im greeted in Thermae with hugs and back slapping. Along with other benefits.

 

Ugh. Windowless pit of desperation 

I was in BKK last week. I took a stroll to Fitzgerald Irish pub and had a beer.  It was not busy but it was defintely not like 3 or 4 years ago. Definitely fewer freelancers standing on the sidewalks than in the past. Most looked like they were past their prime.  

On 9/10/2025 at 2:29 AM, JonnyF said:

I find the whole scene quite tiring now. 

 

Pushy Mamasans, overweight overly tattooed "dancers" (shufflers), overpriced low quality drinks, dirty smelly locales, obnoxious security.

 

Not worth the effort to go, especially in wet season. 

 

 

Gazing at smart fones oblivious to passing trade

https://www.thailandredcat.com/the-4-ways-on-how-to-meet-thai-girls/

8 hours ago, 3NUMBAS said:

https://www.thailandredcat.com/the-4-ways-on-how-to-meet-thai-girls/

The guy who sells 

ทำไมคุณน่ารักจัง

as a pick-up line.

Omg

 

 

On 7/10/2024 at 9:26 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

In part it's a low season thing.

What time did you go? Because the bars close later, the business starts later these days.

Now many girls in Nana arrive just before 10pm. Don't expect much before that time.

 

And the business is more concentrated in a few bars. I guess part of that is the information exchange on the internet. A few years ago you asked an insider where to go. Now, I guess many people look for that information on the web and then many end up in the same few bars.

 

The high prices for the (lady) drinks certainly don't help.

 

And we, they guy who used to go a lot to the bars are getting older. We don't go as often anymore.

And it seems the younger guys look primary online for contacts. 

 

Younger guys don't waste their time and money on hookers like the old geezers did (or still do).