Gentleman'S Club

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Having read Oneman's recent topic I'm now very convinced there is a good business opportunity for a men's only recreational venue in the Chiang Mai area.

I wouldn't call it a tsunami just yet, but indeed it's clear that the Farang demographic in Chiang Mai is shifting and welcoming more and more women. I am NOT saying or implying this is a bad thing, but as Oneman quite rightly pointed out, there should at least be one oasis where you don't get little blonde kids running around, while the high pitched, screechy voices and loud, cackling laughter of their mums fills the air.

I don't think such as place really exists; Gymkhana club was mentioned, as was Mad Dog, but there is nothing stopping the X-Chromosomed Brigades to just barge in, with their intimidating demeanor.

Rather than starting a new place, I think the best route to creating a male oasis is to find an already established place that may not be doing so well at the moment, and turn it into a gentleman's club, supported by the local male Farang community. It wouldn't be hi-so, it wouldn't be lo-so, it'd be MYSO, as in 'me'. Thai people could also become members, on the condition that they're Western educated, or have spent significant time in the west.

Anyone running a place or having a suitable property, please comment or PM.

[jajohnson]

I saw that Oneman topic as well but didn't bother replying. He was moaning about how it would attract trolls but how was it anything but a troll itself?!

I can perhaps understand why guys would want a "male oasis", free from "cackling mums" and their little rugrats. Yup possible business opp there! But with the reported increase in Western women coming, wouldn't there be an even better business opportunity in providing a place for them to hang out, free from drunk yobbo males yelling at a TV screen showing soccer, or groping up the local women, or starting fights with each other? Those kind of problems seem much more prevalent in Thailand!

As for the farang-only club, is that code-speak for a whites-only club? Or would black Americans or English Indians or Jamaicans be allowed in? Isn't there the British Club in Bangkok that is basically a whites-only joint? You could open a Chiang Mai branch! Gawd, it's such a relic from the colonial days.

Edited March 23, 2012 by jajohnson

[eek]

Oh Chiang Mai, please, please, for the love of Buddha, get these old dudes a place to congregate... Seriously, i can see its needed, but from my perspective, not for the reasons outlined.

[NancyL]

Well, at least WTK is approaching the subject from a more mature, business-opportunity standpoint rather than with the anti-female venom of Oneman.

Just for the record, we western ladies don't go out of our way to "invade" a restaurant, nor do we create plans to crash into venues favored by western men. Oneman flatters himself when he thinks we spend one second discussing western men at our expats ladies lunches. We have better things to talk about, like shopping, traveling, new restaurants, nail salons, spas, dressmakers, etc.

Plus, we publicize our meetings so guys with a chip-on-their-shoulder can simply stay away.

It's so sad that there are people like Oneman who harbor such hate for a portion of the population.

[mallyrd]

I saw that Oneman topic as well but didn't bother replying. He was moaning about how it would attract trolls but how was it anything but a troll itself?!

I can perhaps understand why guys would want a "male oasis", free from "cackling mums" and their little rugrats. Yup possible business opp there! But with the reported increase in Western women coming, wouldn't there be an even better business opportunity in providing a place for them to hang out, free from drunk yobbo males yelling at a TV screen showing soccer, or groping up the local women, or starting fights with each other? Those kind of problems seem much more prevalent in Thailand!

As for the farang-only club, is that code-speak for a whites-only club? Or would black Americans or English Indians or Jamaicans be allowed in? Isn't there the British Club in Bangkok that is basically a whites-only joint? You could open a Chiang Mai branch! Gawd, it's such a relic from the colonial days.

You are totally wrong about the BKK Brit club, it caters for all and sundry provided you keep up with your dues.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Well, at least WTK is approaching the subject from a more mature, business-opportunity standpoint rather than with the anti-female venom of Oneman.

Oh, actually it was more of a sarcasm standpoint, I wondered that was clear enough with Myso(gyny) in the name.. I love Farang Women, (especially the fit, non-squeaky ones ) and felt that the original topic was only ended 'at the OP's request', without any moral counter-point being made. Glad this is now happening here.

Edited March 23, 2012 by WinnieTheKhwai

[mcgriffith]

Really rather clever, Winnie.

A tip of the hat to you.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

As for the farang-only club, is that code-speak for a whites-only club? Or would black Americans or English Indians or Jamaicans be allowed in?

I'd LOVE to get Jamaicans in; if anything it would do wonders for the local reggae scene, which desperately needs an authentic infusion. Even more, there's probably a shortage of NWFs in Chiang Mai, perhaps an active exchange program is in order.

Edited March 23, 2012 by WinnieTheKhwai

[eyecatcher]

well said NancyL; yes it stinks of Western male arrogance. It seems so many "old farts" come here and think it is "their" city, and they have the right to choose who comes in.

why dont you "old farts" make your weekly meeting in the park then you can have every bird eating from your hand.

[orang37]

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun WTK,

I must admit I find the term "gentleman's club" both an anachronism, and an oxymoron, reeking of chauvinism and colonialism But I was happy to realize (hypothesize ?), as I read on, that your intent here was irony.

For myselves, the idea of hanging out with a group of males, because they are males, excluding the other species, females, who, in general, contain a much higher proportion of "humanity" than "males," seems as logical as the English comedian Eddie Izzard's comment that he was "a lesbian trapped in a man's body."

And doesn't Chiang Mai already have many clubs which are "virtually" male-only: in the sense that they are bars where the women are in servile roles, and combination door-mats and place-mats, as well as take-out sexual fast-food, while said males, heads perched above whale-bellies, croak to each other their songs of being victims, and complain endlessly about Thailand ?

imho what Chiang Mai needs is a club where highly literate people, of any sexual gender, or persuasion, can discuss .... literature.

best, ~o:37;

[jajohnson]

You are totally wrong about the BKK Brit club, it caters for all and sundry provided you keep up with your dues.

It's been many years since I was last there but I'm 100% sure there were restrictions on what nationalites could join. You had to be American, British, Canadian, Australian, places like that i.e. essentially a whites-only club. I don't know how long the place has been around but my guess quite a while, so that rule would've been there before the big increase in non-whites in England, etc. Blacks have been around in the US for ages but until recently, few of them would have been in a position to join an up-market expat club overseas. I know I never saw a non-white face there other than a few Thais (members or guests?). It'd be interesting to see what the make-up of the membership is :-)

...

OK, I had a look at their web site and it says that membership is open to all. Has it always been like that? But it says that there "may be a waiting list for some nationalities" Why is that? Brits, Aussies, Canucks and Kiwis can join immediately, other nationalities "may" have to wait. If a guy from Nigeria applies, is he going to be put on a waiting list, indefinitely?

Edited March 23, 2012 by jajohnson

[true blue]

i always thought the pub was a bit of a throw back to the old colonial days,apart from it being the oldest pub in chiang mai,used to be the hangout out for the old business,gentry of by gone days.

[NancyL]

i always thought the pub was a bit of a throw back to the old colonial days,apart from it being the oldest pub in chiang mai,used to be the hangout out for the old business,gentry of by gone days.

Yeah, but they let us harpies in there.

[cheynewalk]

The Mad Dog Saloon (with the emphasis on "Mad") would certainly be an appropriate place for such a club, if my previous experience there was anything to go by.

[bobl]

I'll open a members only club for a $2k per annum membership, if I can get at least 50 members.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

The Mad Dog Saloon (with the emphasis on "Mad") would certainly be an appropriate place for such a club, if my previous experience there was anything to go by.

They have a couple chatterbox female staff though, who occasionally speak amongst themselves, and worse, speak to customers even when not asked a direct question or otherwise granted permission to speak. I agree it's a promising venue, but the staff have become very Westernised; a major training effort would likely be required.

[Beetlejuice]

Sorry to throw a spanner into the works, but what about the Thai legality of running such clubs?

Remember what happen last year with the farang musicians? For example if this did get up and running, would someone eventually turn up with a piece of paper claiming that an exclusive whites only male club is breaking the law?

I think the first priority would be to seek the advice of a reputable lawyer before drawing any plans to setting something up like this as a business.

[mcgriffith]

Sorry to throw a spanner into the works, but what about the Thai legality of running such clubs?

Remember what happen last year with the farang musicians? For example if this did get up and running, would someone eventually turn up with a piece of paper claiming that an exclusive whites only male club is breaking the law?

I think the first priority would be to seek the advice of a reputable lawyer before drawing any plans to setting something up like this as a business.

I don't know what you are on about with this, BJ. You just have to be a man to join a gentlemen's club. Nobody is talking whites only except you.

It was made clear previously that Jamaicans, Afghans, Paraguayans and any other nationality will be welcome at this club, WinnieTheKhwai's new business endeavor. He's a long timer here; I'm sure the necessary tea money can be paid to make it 100% Thai Legal.

If I can sign up as member 007, I'll send the check off today.

[eek]

If it gets up and running, im going to don a mustache and sneak in..then ill have something to juicy to gossip to all ladies about when we meet for lunches.

[bobl]

Sorry to throw a spanner into the works, but what about the Thai legality of running such clubs?

Remember what happen last year with the farang musicians? For example if this did get up and running, would someone eventually turn up with a piece of paper claiming that an exclusive whites only male club is breaking the law?

I think the first priority would be to seek the advice of a reputable lawyer before drawing any plans to setting something up like this as a business.

You must be reading posts from an alternative reality, who said anything about exclusive or white?

Of course you'd need to check local law to find out if there's any PC discrimination crap preventing you from making it male only.

[inthepink]

Shouldn't it be "gentlemen's club", or are you thinking about a club that only has one member?

(And no, I'm not an English teacher)

Edited March 23, 2012 by inthepink

[mcgriffith]

Shouldn't it be "gentlemen's club", or are you thinking about a club that only has one member?

(And no, I'm not an English teacher)

Quite right; I was keying off of WTK's title to the thread.

Have corrected my post, and still waiting for confirmation of member number 007 from the Illustrious Founder.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentleman%27s_club

[Beetlejuice]

Sorry to throw a spanner into the works, but what about the Thai legality of running such clubs?

Remember what happen last year with the farang musicians? For example if this did get up and running, would someone eventually turn up with a piece of paper claiming that an exclusive whites only male club is breaking the law?

I think the first priority would be to seek the advice of a reputable lawyer before drawing any plans to setting something up like this as a business.

I don't know what you are on about with this, BJ. You just have to be a man to join a gentlemen's club. Nobody is talking whites only except you.

It was made clear previously that Jamaicans, Afghans, Paraguayans and any other nationality will be welcome at this club, WinnieTheKhwai's new business endeavor. He's a long timer here; I'm sure the necessary tea money can be paid to make it 100% Thai Legal.

If I can sign up as member 007, I'll send the check off today.

To be honest, I don`t know what I`m on about myself. Total confusion with these posts, man.

So what does this mean? Is this venture definitely going ahead, or is it just an idea?

If it`s going to happen, will it be a club for all foreigners and Thais. Can men and women both join or what?

Sorry, but at this stage, I’m totally confused and this is before I’ve started on the beers.

Please enlighten this old thicko, because I would be very interested in becoming a member.

B.T.W. my membership must be in my own name, because I am not a number, I am a human being.

Edited March 23, 2012 by Beetlejuice

[millwall_fan]

Shouldn't it be "gentlemen's club", or are you thinking about a club that only has one member?

(And no, I'm not an English teacher)

It should be taken as read that each gentleman should only have one member.

I can understand the demand for such a club. Many Gents in Chiang Mai have had problems with recalcitrant, Farang females (BAFFS) over the years and the idea of a club would have some supporters. Jamaican men, having many of the same issues with the Fems, would be welcome, as would other chaps of any race an hue (not sure about Afghans and similar travellers though, as some of the more extreme of our Islamic brethren could turn even me into a rampant feminist)

The club could even host infrequent 'Ladies nights' in which fair minded ladies (like Nancy L) could come along and be trained in how demure, subservient Thai women behave (please don't tell my wife I wrote that!).

Just a few thoughts to kick off The Club.

[hellodolly]

Sorry to throw a spanner into the works, but what about the Thai legality of running such clubs?

Remember what happen last year with the farang musicians? For example if this did get up and running, would someone eventually turn up with a piece of paper claiming that an exclusive whites only male club is breaking the law?

I think the first priority would be to seek the advice of a reputable lawyer before drawing any plans to setting something up like this as a business.

You must be reading posts from an alternative reality, who said anything about exclusive or white?

Of course you'd need to check local law to find out if there's any PC discrimination crap preventing you from making it male only.

I would imagine as long as the ownership was Thai and conformed to Thai hiring policies there would be no trouble.

My big question is would it have over stuffed Leather furniture one could sit in as he talks bout his world adventures and would it be OK not to smoke a pipe or expensive cigar?

[theblether]

To merely be a Gentleman would not be sufficient import to ensure the long term survival of the Club. There has to be a touch of exclusivity and mysticism to make it worth joining.

I would suggest that the old fashioned selection process of black balling should be introduced. This would be self defeating for me, as if I applied for membership there would be a cascade of black balls. There is something particularly annoying about 9 month old Scottish babies.

Anyway, there should be some degree of qualification, for example, can you answer the following question correctly. " Should the proposed Gentlemen Club devised to prevent women from annoying us allow women to join?". At this point beetlejuice would fail the test and would be forever be the little beetle with his nose pressed against the window.

I further suggest that there should be a ritual initiation, maybe along the lines of kissing the model on a Polly Peck tights wrapper while swearing allegiance to the Cosa Chiangmaister.

I suggest that Winnie should be the founding Chiangmaister, and as such he could devise any other ritual that he feels would increase male bonding. Just as long as it doesn't involve interfering with buffalos I would consider it.

Important occasions should be marked with a Black Tie dinner, which will result in the entire populace of Chiang Mai coming out to see the stupid farang sweating in their monkey suits. However, these are the things we must endure to portray the dignity of our association.

I suggest that every month we have a guest speaker to guide us through the travails of life. Subject titles could include, " Do You Remember", which will be an ordeal for some of our older members, " Your Prostrate and How to Poke It", another relevant issue for many, " Nasal hair and What it Means for Your Health", " The Drip Drip Guide to Healthy Waterworks" and " Your Pension and How To Live On Half Of It After Divorce".

Parlour games can be played, but nothing too complicated as some members will forget what they are doing half way through and wander of for a p*ss that never happens. Yes, I think with some forward planning this idea could go a long way.

Go for it Winnie, our Chiangmaister!!

[SantiSuk]

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun WTK,

I must admit I find the term "gentleman's club" both an anachronism, and an oxymoron, reeking of chauvinism and colonialism But I was happy to realize (hypothesize ?), as I read on, that your intent here was irony.

............

Actually, for Brits, outside the City (of London) and aristocratoc circles the term has long since been hijacked by overpriced pole-dancing venues for the suited and booted in commercial centres of larger English towns.

[Beetlejuice]

What I hate about some clubs already operating in Chiang Mai is the commercialism involved. Some so-called speaker mostly representing a company, service or product and mouthing off all through a meeting, goods up for sale and so on.

I think a gentleman’s club would be a great idea providing it`s not run on the same basis, where as the organisers do not turn the whole thing into a commercial enterprise.

So would those that organise the club be prepared to manage this on a voluntary basis rather than as a business?

People who associate with me know that I am a Mr Cynical and that I like to hear the facts from the horse’s mouth before I am convinced.

If the plan is to create this as a business, than I wouldn`t be interested. I can already hear some of you saying; good.

I am only inquiring out of curiosity, that`s all.

Edited March 23, 2012 by Beetlejuice

[IanForbes]

The problem is that there just aren't that many gentlemen in Thailand.

[orang37]

Actually, for Brits, outside the City (of London) and aristocratoc circles the term has long since been hijacked by overpriced pole-dancing venues for the suited and booted in commercial centres of larger English towns.

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun SantiSuk,

Fascinating, thanks !

Personally, I have never seen a man pole-vaulting in suit and tie, or boots, but I would not be surprised if this were also taking place in Las Vegas, that teratoma mutating and metastasizing for decades now, on a vast bare patch on America's western flank.

best, ~o:37;