I would be interested to hear what brother Keeper thinks about the "new rules".

-fopa

Thxs for the update, very interesting indeed.

Actually most of it is good news, I'm fine with that, maybe a slightly better environment. I do like the semi nude stuff done at the Long Bar in Soi Cowboy, tastefully done but buck naked, I hope that continues. The 1pm closing is great, more time for your LT session, but means you start out your evening activity a bit earlier, make your choice of lady earlier, etc etc. The 20 year old age limit for girls is great, safer for us guys. More copies of photo and license work for workers in the employers hands is less chance of issues or RIP's from bar workers, but still the same risk for Indies on the street. I don;t expect bar prices to increase because of this, unless all of the owners decide to raise prices together, which would suck.

The increase in local BKK prices is due to the increased strength of the Thai Baht to the US Dollar conversion rate, we are getting 10-15% less value for the money, or better yet, it is costing me slightly more for the same activity than in previous trip. Still a bargain by any std, but a point of observation. It won't stop us from the hobby, but will be a bit more planful in hotel and food costs, and tips to providers and such, but i'm ok with all of that.

enforcement: There will be an initial show of force for about 1-2 months, then it will probably become biz as usual. Bribes can make the issue go away in Thailand, that is a known fact. More money now on the take.

Suggestion: Why doesn't the Fire Marshall inspect these places, and ensure that Nana has an adequate fire safety code, and that that crackerbox could be evacuated if something were to happen. Gary- any talk about THAT? How about the running waste water in the street and the curbs and standing pools of water all over the place?

Thailand... gotta love that place, great women indeed ! h2p

#2 issue I agree is fire safety.

Yeah, the priorities are not right over there.

Could happen, then change 2 days later. Same, same.

They have been "re-organizing" the police trying to rid the Thaksin loyalists and replace them with army/military/coup loyalists.....and prifit along the way. I view it as a changing of the gaurd.

The killing of the two Russian ladies was a good excuse to "crack down" and send a message to the rusky thugs.

"May the Force be with him

By Wassayos Ngarmkham
The heavy-handed working style of the new acting police chief Pol Gen Seripisuth Temiyavej is shattering nerves and raising the stress level. His recent visit to Pattaya left police, especially those in Pattaya and the Region 2 Bureau overseeing all eastern provinces, feeling uneasy.

Although police at the Pattaya station and the regional bureau were able to arrest a suspect for the Feb 24 murder of two Russian women on Jomtien beach in just six days, their quick work did not impress the acting national police chief.

On the contrary, Pol Gen Seripisuth said officers of the regional bureau may be transferred. The bureau is under the command of detective guru Pol Lt-Gen Asawin Khwanmuang.

The warning was also intended for Pattaya police chief Pol Col Suthin Sappuang, who is a favourite of the regional commander and has been charge of the resort city for just a few months.

The acting national police chief wants police to prevent crimes rather than wait for them to happen. He told police that he wanted Pattaya cleaned up.

Police can only shake their heads and sigh. They know Pol Gen Seripisuth is a man who likes to keep his word.

Late last month, Pol Gen Seripisuth issued lightning orders to transfer the traffic inspector of the Phlapphla Chai station and the deputy chief of traffic from the Thong Lor station to inactive posts at his office for 30 days because they turned a blind eye to vehicles violating parking bans in their areas, causing traffic congestion.

The order demonstrates the style of the acting police chief: exercise power for all to see.

Pol Gen Seripisuth is well-known for taking tough action against officers whom he considers ineffectual and undisciplined. This is why only a handful of officers can work closely with him.

Pol Gen Seripisuth, who is seen as a disciplinary figure, received a warm welcome from the public when he became acting police chief.

Public opinion polls conducted by private universities have shown that 70% of more than 6,000 people surveyed believe Pol Gen Seripisuth would ensure their safety and restore the prestige of the force.

However, police said those who know Pol Gen Seripisuth superficially would not understand him. Many police admit they are working under pressure because the chief is extremely strict and ready to axe them at any time.

His heavy-handed working style is backfiring on him.

Officers, especially outstanding detectives and crime suppression officers, are feeling discouraged, especially after Pol Gen Seripisuth warned Pol Lt-Gen Asawin, a leading detective.

They would like him to be less aggressive, do more to win their hearts and give outstanding officers a chance. For them, Pol Gen Seripisuth should adjust his leadership style by tempering the exercise of power with mercy."

i think the only way to do this is to just kill all potential criminals before they have a chance to commit a crime, which includes every human on earth, more or less.

well, as 1 bargirl in pattaya likes to say, "i think h1tler good man. sometimes it good to kill many people. h1tler yaaaaaay!"

> He told police
>that he wanted Pattaya cleaned up.

me too. the water there is filthy.

if the thai govt had their priorities straight, the country would be much better off, especially economically, and we'd have to find a different place to hunt for cheap hookers, since there wouldn't be as many desparate women there.

have you not noticed the trend, as far as an asian country becoming economically prosperous and the number of _local_ hookers available for foreign whoremongers in that newly-prosperous country?

Didn't seem to stop Sheba's, I was there last night and did see a stich of clothing on the stage. They do have the door locked and will not open it until they see who is there.

Bars were even open last Saturday which was a Big Monk Day.
Just turned the lights off and didn't play loud music.

I guess they think police won't see if the lights are off.
What a joke.

GoGo's same nudity as always. Some girls do, some don't.

Don't know about Bangkok, but I am not sure which Pattaya you guys have been to. Business as usual.

I've been here close to 3 years as an owner in the nightlife entertainment business and have yet to see or hear of any mafia in Pattaya. Maybe they aren't anywhere near Walking St, or I have been very lucky, but the only people I worry about are the Pattaya and Chonburi police, who I pay for "consideration". No mafia interest or effect anywhere that I know of on Walking St, that is for sure.

As for CCTV, the writer is possibly better informed than I. I only know that at least 4 gogos and numerous other businesses (including shops and stores) are required by provincial decree (from the new governor of Chonburi) to put in CCTV or risk closure when their business licenses are renewed (as we are all waiting for our 2007 licenses which are being held pending proof of CCTV installation). Yes, there will be CCTV in bars and gogos, but no where in the mandate does it say where the cameras are to be pointed, nor whether they should be recording anything. Most places that have them and also have "illegal" nudity are not putting cameras anywhere where such activities are occurring. The main thrust of this is to have the cameras show people entering the bar, so that if there is a problem, their faces can be reviewed by the police. There are no "feeds" to the police station.

As far as closing time crackdowns, that is occurring all over town, not just on Walking St. It's sporadic in that many nights no police come by, but they've put a chill on the beer bars (mostly unlicensed businesses) so that they are loathe to stay open too late unless they are making tons of money with existing customers. My favorite after hours place, which used to stay open until sun up, is now closing at 3am or 4am.

That's the situation as I see it.
Keeper

i won't speculate, but i will ask 2 questions:

1) what time is the mobile VW Van bar on soi diana closing?

2) what time is the bar area outside the Blues Factory (is that the name...? the one where they have those shitty hamburgers late into the night) where everybody shoots pool after 2AM closing?

I hear (but don't know, since I am not ever there), that JP is still staying open to dawn. They have major connections with the police.

It's all a hodge podge of uncertainty now, but I suspect it will be back to "normal" within a fairly short time.

Keeper

Great place to scout for bar,gogo or indie girls looking for a little late night action. Spent many mornings here.

What's JP? Where is it?
Thanks!

outside pool hall on ally between walking street and taxi "stand". It's very popular late night with lot's of bar beer girls visiting after they get "off" at 2-3 am. I have no idea why it's so popular. it's deserted at 2:00am and peaks a little after 4:00am. A lot of the younger british "tourist" frequent the place making it a good place for a hot thai lady to find a young man.

I've had great luck with being set up with "friends" of who I am hangin with while a JP bar. I go there with some thai friends. More friends show up and the next thing I know I'm headed back to my room with one of them.

Remember to smile

Was there a few times in the last month past 4AM. Crackdown over for now.

Life is a short time!