Chiang Mai, Loi Kroh Road

[jaideeguy]

"I'd say there were many downmarket bars catering to Thais with really
rough girls (those shacks by the roadside) now they REALLY are the
bottom of the pool"

just one small step down from the sad Loi Kroh. The main reason I moved to CM from the wild towns down south was to get away from the temptations and still after 10+ years, there are no temptations to go barhopping in CM. It's gotten worse if anything.........

Thanks, I'd rather drink at home than with a bunch of looser girls that can't qualify for Pattaya's lowest class bars.

[Ulysses G.]

You guys have a point, but there are always some gems that are tempting indeed.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

They don't have a point at all; just they personally don't like going to bars, which is fine.

And objectively bars didn't get worse, they got better. And there's more of them. Go look at older pictures of bars from any era that someone might claim were the good old days; not exactly a Ms. Universe parade to put it mildly.

These guys just matured a bit, which -again- is fine. It only gets silly when they then start waving their walking stick at the folks having fun today, claiming how it's sad and how it was better in the old days. Sure gramps; bed time. Don't forget the meds.

Edited April 25, 2013 by WinnieTheKhwai

[Ulysses G.]

I have to disagree. Chiang Mai went through a Golden Age as far as the bars having hot women. It was pretty good in the late 90s right up to the redshirt/yellow shirt troubles and when the Western economies started going South a few years ago.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Yes it was pretty good. But in what way is it worse now?

I have plenty pictures of that time, and I don't see anything beyond what's there today.

Even when I go to Pattaya or Bangkok (and limiting myself to the tourist bars) I'd go quite a while before seeing anyone who might also qualify as a pretty model at a car show or the like.

Edited April 25, 2013 by WinnieTheKhwai

[binjalin]

I have to disagree. Chiang Mai went through a Golden Age as far as the bars having hot women. It was pretty good in the late 90s right up to the redshirt/yellow shirt troubles and when the Western economies started going South a few years ago.

I have to agree that it is not quite what it was... BUT you can still find diamonds and there are some nice, happy girls down there who I have got to know over the years (not sex related) and so I think a generalization of 'elephants graveyard' is a mixture of unfair, inaccurate and most of all... unkind

[Ulysses G.]

I agree that some people are exaggerating how bad things are and agree that there are decent women in the bars/massage parlors. IMO, it just takes more searching than when the Western economies were doing well.

Edited April 25, 2013 by Ulysses G.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Show me a picture of one or two hot women™ from the golden age (anyone can pick whatever they consider their definition of golden age) and I show you a memory that got better over time.

Then I'll also send some pics of 30 or so folks up and down LK today, for reference. (Not on the public forum, of course.)

EDIT: And I will be honest, if I do see a pic that could prove me wrong then I will readily admit it. After all we're on the same side here.

Edited April 25, 2013 by WinnieTheKhwai

[elektrified]

I have to disagree. Chiang Mai went through a Golden Age as far as the bars having hot women. It was pretty good in the late 90s right up to the redshirt/yellow shirt troubles and when the Western economies started going South a few years ago.

When the Western economies tumbled in 2008 a lot of farang undesirables began showing up here and bringing the place down. They had/have less money to spend, are rude, belligerent, and oblivious to the customs and culture of Thailand. That followed by lower-class, less-educated, less attractive bar workers showing up to meet their match. The better looking ones moved on to better things as Thailand's economy has soared. Thailand has always attracted some weirdos but things really got worse here when the Western economies tumbled IMHO.

The red/yellow shirt thing was a factor too.

I don't frequent bars often but do like a walk down Loy Kroh once a month or so for a couple of drinks and to meet people and have a good time. There are very few stunning ladies down there. They are mostly older and unattractive. Some are friendly but overall it's a sad sight. I didn't move here for the bar scene and enjoy myself wherever I go here.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I have to disagree. Chiang Mai went through a Golden Age as far as the bars having hot women. It was pretty good in the late 90s right up to the redshirt/yellow shirt troubles and when the Western economies started going South a few years ago.

Agreed, I had two smokin' hot separate girlfriends in 2007-2008

Ah, the golden age shifts from late nineties to 2007-2008. Let's wait for the next guy who will be adamant it was late eighties or early nineties.

As an aside, I went digging through my own pics from he nineties and I noticed the strangest thing: the biggest difference in looks was actually me.. I looked a lot younger and innocent then!

Related question: Would you all say that Thai staff in Pattaya bars were better looking in the golden age than they do today? Or do you consider it a Chiang Mai decline specifically? I'm contemplating asking on the Pattaya forum to let expats there weigh in, but will need to give the wording some thought or it'll get closed in a split second.

Edited April 25, 2013 by WinnieTheKhwai

[Mestizo]

When the Western economies tumbled in 2008 a lot of farang undesirables began showing up here and bringing the place down. They had/have less money to spend, are rude, belligerent, and oblivious to the customs and culture of Thailand.

That's just about the time I showed up here! haha

I agree. I too recall recall the girls being much younger and better looking in late 2007 & 2008 as compared to the last 2 years. They also seemed to be alot more plentiful back then. Sure, some cute girls are still around, they just seem much fewer and far between.

I'll admit:

1.) My tastes have evolved to be more similar to that of my fellow Thai coworkers. Lighter skin, slimmer, etc.

2.) Could be potential nostalgia of my beginning times in Chiang Mai.

Anyway, like you I didn't move here for the bar scene. And likewise, I still manage to have pretty good fun when I go out.

The one thing that definitely has improved for the better, is the proliferation of free Wifi in the bars up and down Loi Kroh. Having work colleagues based in the US, free wifi is a god send. I can still sneak off for beers during the week or Friday nights, and still be able to quickly respond to emails, GChats, Campfirenow conversations, etc... While it kinda sucks to be constantly looking at my iPhone rather than the few cute & alot of not so cute girls walking around me, it sure does beat spending the night at home in front of the computer!

-Mestizo

[Puwa]

Unfair to both elephants and graveyards.

[heybruce]

I have to disagree. Chiang Mai went through a Golden Age as far as the bars having hot women. It was pretty good in the late 90s right up to the redshirt/yellow shirt troubles and when the Western economies started going South a few years ago.

I think what happened is that Thailand's economic crisis in '97 literally put a lot of young women on the street. As the economy improved women took advantage of better options, so the selection now is not as good. Prosperity really sucks, doesn't it?

[narkeddiver]

Hmm - in the interests of science maybe I should venture out this way tonight and do a comparison with the memories of the days when I was still single

I just hope that the missus understands that this is a scientific experiment - comparing reality to rosé-tinted memories - and doesn't decide to introduce me to Mr Knife and Mr Duck

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I have to disagree. Chiang Mai went through a Golden Age as far as the bars having hot women. It was pretty good in the late 90s right up to the redshirt/yellow shirt troubles and when the Western economies started going South a few years ago.

I think what happened is that Thailand's economic crisis in '97 literally put a lot of young women on the street. As the economy improved women took advantage of better options, so the selection now is not as good. Prosperity really sucks, doesn't it?

That is a sensible argument. You see though that different groups end up in bars more than they used to. In the late nineties you didn't see too many hillltribe staff in the bars. Today this is a lot more common, esp. Lisu for some reason. There always seem to be groups who really need the money. Also if you look in absolute numbers, there are more girls (and guys) working in Loy Kroh (and other bar areas) today than there were in 1997. If the economic crisis was that much of a drive then you would have seen vastly more people employed in the bars. Then again, lack of demand may have something to do witih that too; you only need so many people for the number of customers you get in every night.

Edited April 25, 2013 by WinnieTheKhwai

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Hmm - in the interests of science maybe I should venture out this way tonight and do a comparison with the memories of the days when I was still single

I just hope that the missus understands that this is a scientific experiment - comparing reality to rosé-tinted memories - and doesn't decide to introduce me to Mr Knife and Mr Duck

Thaivisa Bar Crawl Friday Night!!

[mamborobert]

Crones the lot of them of course.

Still they are so very lucky that the Thaivisa members who frequent the bars are all successful strapping athletic young men.

Most I understand are non drinkers, always stylishly dressed,clean shaven, showered,fully conversant in Thai, and safely tucked in bed by 11.........

I guess HomePro is still has not restocked its supply of mirrors

[narkeddiver]

Hmm - in the interests of science maybe I should venture out this way tonight and do a comparison with the memories of the days when I was still single

I just hope that the missus understands that this is a scientific experiment - comparing reality to rosé-tinted memories - and doesn't decide to introduce me to Mr Knife and Mr Duck

Thaivisa Bar Crawl Friday Night!!

I'll definitely be meeting those 2 gentlemen if I go out 2 nights in a row!!!!

Tonight I have an excuse as its my mates last night in CM so I'm blaming him (which again reminds me of my single days when I took the blame for all the lads nights out - I swear my mates' wives and girlfriends thought my surname was Mademedoit)

Edited April 25, 2013 by narkeddiver

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Still they are so very lucky that the Thaivisa members who frequent the bars are all successful strapping athletic young men.

Most I understand are non drinkers, always stylishly dressed,clean shaven, showered,fully conversant in Thai, and safely tucked in bed by 11.........

Ouch, that's actually not too far off the mark for me. (Except for the athletic / drinking part.)

[MESmith]

Distant memories of Bar Beer Centre in the early 90s, & LK in the late 90s. Even with beer goggles, don't remember too many "stunners". Golden age - never existed

[heybruce]

I have to disagree. Chiang Mai went through a Golden Age as far as the bars having hot women. It was pretty good in the late 90s right up to the redshirt/yellow shirt troubles and when the Western economies started going South a few years ago.

I think what happened is that Thailand's economic crisis in '97 literally put a lot of young women on the street. As the economy improved women took advantage of better options, so the selection now is not as good. Prosperity really sucks, doesn't it?

That is a sensible argument. You see though that different groups end up in bars more than they used to. In the late nineties you didn't see too many hillltribe staff in the bars. Today this is a lot more common, esp. Lisu for some reason. There always seem to be groups who really need the money. Also if you look in absolute numbers, there are more girls (and guys) working in Loy Kroh (and other bar areas) today than there were in 1997. If the economic crisis was that much of a drive then you would have seen vastly more people employed in the bars. Lack of demand may have something to do witih that; you only need so many people for the number of customers you get in every night.

Chiang Mai has a lot more people and a lot more tourists now, so there are a lot more bar and restaurant jobs--people making money serving food and drink, not sex.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Distant memories of Bar Beer Centre in the early 90s, & LK in the late 90s. Even with beer goggles, don't remember too many "stunners". Golden age - never existed

Yes, that's my point of view too.

So far I'm yet to receive a single picture of a stunningly hot woman™ in a Chiang Mai bar in the nineties (or before).

I did however send out a couple samples of the current squad to some contributors to this topic. You can't look at those images and still maintain that it used to be significantly better at any time in the past.

And I went through my own collection too; lots of nice memories and very nice ladies, but prettier than today.. no.

[MESmith]

Distant memories of Bar Beer Centre in the early 90s, & LK in the late 90s. Even with beer goggles, don't remember too many "stunners". Golden age - never existed

Yes, that's my point of view too.

So far I'm yet to receive a single picture of a stunningly hot woman™ in a Chiang Mai bar in the nineties (or before).

I did however send out a couple samples of the current squad to some contributors to this topic. You can't look at those images and still maintain that it used to be significantly better at any time in the past.

And I went through my own collection too; lots of nice memories and very nice ladies, but prettier than today.. no.

At least we were more "hansum" back then

[Ulysses G.]

Distant memories of Bar Beer Centre in the early 90s, & LK in the late 90s. Even with beer goggles, don't remember too many "stunners". Golden age - never existed

Agreed, but the Go-Go bars had a heyday from the late nineties until fairly recently. Winnie let me have look at some of his photos and I agree that there are some real lookers out there, but still say maintain there were a lot more of them during the golden era.

[rubberduck]

"I was taken back just how seedy, dirty and squalid that area has become."

What was it like before?

The nightbazar bar areas that were demolished years ago (now the empty terrace of B2 hotel, and both sides of Night Bazar Building) years ago were quite nice, clean and well organized !

Most bars like the 'good old' Amsterdam Bar and Porn her Carnival Bar (now next to the 7-Eleven near the beginning of LK road) reopened in the 'Loi Kroi Entertainment Complex' owned by that Indian lawyer, that became more noisy every year and now even more filthy, nasty and unorganized then the bar complexes in Pattaya.

Chiangmai was nice 15 years ago !

[WinnieTheKhwai]

The nightbazar bar areas that were demolished years ago (now the empty terrace of B2 hotel, and both sides of Night Bazar Building) years ago were quite nice, clean and well organized !

Most bars like the 'good old' Amsterdam Bar and Porn her Carnival Bar (now next to the 7-Eleven near the beginning of LK road) reopened in the 'Loi Kroi Entertainment Complex' owned by that Indian lawyer, that became more noisy every year and now even more filthy, nasty and unorganized then the bar complexes in Pattaya.

Wait, what? The old Bar Beer Center at Thapae Gate was clean and well organized?

Distant memories of Bar Beer Centre in the early 90s, & LK in the late 90s. Even with beer goggles, don't remember too many "stunners". Golden age - never existed

Agreed, but the Go-Go bars had a heyday from the late nineties until fairly recently. Winnie let me have look at some of his photos and I agree that there are some real lookers out there, but still say maintain there were a lot more of them during the golden era.

Ah, that is possible. I did visit the gogo bars in the late 90's, but haven't been to the remaining one in the Thapae area in years, other than a quick peek to verify that it still sucked. With regards to those I can only agree with you. I didn't even think about those as I'm not a huge fan of those kind of bars.

Edited April 25, 2013 by WinnieTheKhwai

[MESmith]

Wait, what? The old Bar Beer Center at Thapae Gate was clean and well organized?

[

You had to be careful you didn't touch anything when taking a pee

[Beetlejuice]

They don't have a point at all; just they personally don't like going to bars, which is fine.

And objectively bars didn't get worse, they got better. And there's more of them. Go look at older pictures of bars from any era that someone might claim were the good old days; not exactly a Ms. Universe parade to put it mildly.

These guys just matured a bit, which -again- is fine. It only gets silly when they then start waving their walking stick at the folks having fun today, claiming how it's sad and how it was better in the old days. Sure gramps; bed time. Don't forget the meds.

Totally disagree.

I am not a sexpat, just a normal guy who enjoys going to bars once in a while for a social night out.

I’m with our jaideeguy all the way on this one. And in my experience over the years, the Chiang Mai bar and social scene has become only a remnant of what it used to be, the majority either gone downhill or closed and gone completely. How do you come to the conclusion that the nightlife and adult entertainment scene has improved in Chiang Mai? Perhaps you have discovered some hidden location that no one else knows about? Or maybe a business owner concerned about losing your trade?

Certainly cannot agree with you that the quality of nightlife entertainments and girl staffs were the same 10 years and longer ago as they are today. That’s nonsense. I know because I was around in the so-called good old days and can tell you it was a completely difference scene back then.

Also we are not all on our last legs, waving our walking sticks or expecting any OAP concessions from the girls. Some of us are in good nick and can still do a good jig a jig when the mood takes us.

In my opinion the whole area has been left to deteriorate into a dump. A person’s age has nothing to do with it, just that these days there are no incentives to visit and spend money there anymore.

[narkeddiver]

After tonight's scientific test the reality didn't match up to the memory (but the memory may have been biased )

But all in all I had a fun time, met some interesting people and came home with a smile on my face

In conclusion - Loi Kroh, not as good as the memory but still a fun time

[OldChinaHam]

Maybe instead of playing snooker over there you should get out in the morning and look at the birds more.