Army Targets Patong Hours, Corruption
By Chutima Sidasathian and Alan Morison Wednesday, July 9, 2014
PHUKET: Nightlife closing hours for Phuket and lewd ping pong shows are likely to be looked at closely in coming days, even though an Army chief cancelled a walking tour of Patong's Soi Bangla last night.
Patong Entertainment Association officials will be seeking extended trading hours, perhaps even around the clock. But the military may be more keen to close on time to uphold the law. They know a bit about curfews.
Major General Walit Rojanpakdi of the Fourth Army Area was due to stroll along the popular Patong walking street around 8pm last night, but the trip was canned at the last minute.
The senior soldier probably wouldn't have seen a lot anyway.
Word passes well in advance of officials' visits. The porno purveyors who thrust pictures of genitalia under the noses of unsuspecting tourists scurry for cover.
Half-naked pole dancers in the go go bars appear a little later and hookers offering bargains to sexpats usually do not appear on the streets until after midnight.
Corruption in Patong will certainly be a topic. Entertainment businesspeople would like the payoffs to more than a dozen government groups and departments to end.
In the end, it's the Patong tourist who pays for all the west coast holiday nightlife hub's bribery and graft.
The Army's decision on whether Patong should close on time or enjoy extended hours will be awaited with great interest.
Nightlife businesses in Bangkok, Pattaya and Samui will also be hoping for extended hours, not shorter ones.
Someone is bound to make the point that if the corrupt payments are ended, the nightlife outlets might even be able to close on time and still make a profit.
Will the major general eventually drop by a ping pong show and see Thailand's women being portrayed as sex freaks?
Probably not. Rihanna did it last year, but she was in Soi Bangla at a late hour.
The ping pong shows and the touts who ram their pornographic menus under the noses of tourists are not needed on Phuket and the sooner the military acts, the better.
So far, the military has seemed to be keen on raising moral standards, not lowering them. Ridding Patong of the sex shows and the hordes of touts who turn off most tourists would be good for Phuket.
It's a family holiday island, not a freak show.
If the Army's commitment to the natural environment is genuine, perhaps the major general will also ensure that the iguanas and slow lorises in the hands of photo touts disappear, too.
Police have managed to reduce the photo touts to mostly daytime operations.
The people who operate the sex shows are well-known and influential in Patong.
Thailand's coup command could do Phuket and the entire nation a big favor by ending corruption and Soi Bangla's ping pong sleaze.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
Agree in parts, but the shows and dancing ladies are a tourist draw, whatever people think of them.
If it's kept to one road (Soi bangla) then with the whole of the rest of the island to visit, those tourists that don't want to see it don't have to go. Those that enjoy a night out and do want to see it still have the option. I know it's seedy etc, but I still hope people are allowed to choose, not have their whole lives dictated to.
Some freedom in life is still positive.
Posted by
Amazing Thailand
on
July 9, 2014 08:38
Editor Comment:
''We're just giving the tourists what they want.'' That's an argument that no longer works. These sex shows denigrate Thai women - in fact, all women - and should be stopped. It's not a freedom, it's a freak show.
Well said Mr Ed with the freak show comes the drugs graft and just plane sleaze
Posted by
Scunner
on
July 9, 2014 08:58
Ed
Appreciate your point if view, but there are a lot who disagree
No one is forcing these ladies to work in Bangla, and it's funny that out of all the friends that come to visit me in phuket - it is the ladies who want to see the shows, not the guys.
They see it as fasciating as to how these ladies can do all these tricks. They don't see it as seedy and disgusting but fascinating and amusing
Posted by
Amazing Thailand
on
July 9, 2014 09:12
Editor Comment:
Yes, like circuses with animals and six-legged dogs. Times are changing and the new generation realises these are relics from a less equal past.
I don't see the fuss, the police previous commander and the current, though seemingly impotent, governor have both stated there are no "illegal" or lewd shows in soi Bangla, so one asks are they non existent or did our two officials lie to us.
Posted by
Laurie Howells
on
July 9, 2014 09:52
Editor Comment:
Officials probably said they were unable to see any lewd shows, which was true.
Ok that's it, roll it back! I didn't know I had to reactivate my right hand. Bring those umbrellas back! 1000 baht for a limousine wasn't that bad. Where can I find a construction plan for taxi shacks? Hang in there girls!
Posted by
Herbert
on
July 9, 2014 09:55
There is nothing in Patong a family holiday needs to see. Patong is for people who want a crazy night and not bring there children along with them.
I agree that the corruption needs to end and that Patong should close no later than 2am.
Phuket is a family destination as you state, but Patong isn't. It will take time to change, but Bangla isn't and has never been a "family friendly" zone.
Posted by
Tbs
on
July 9, 2014 09:58
Editor Comment:
I can't figure why there are so many tourist children about in a destination you say is not for families, Tbs. Try walking along the beach. You'll be surprised at the number of families. And Bangla is family friendly before midnight - except for the touts.
No reason Bangla shouldn't close at 2am - if people need a longer night out its simple - go out earlier. As pointed out above its a vicious circle with freeelancers not even venturing out until 12 or 1 am. People are subject to licencing laws in their own countries, the 'but we're on holiday' excuse wears a bit thin after a while.
Posted by
Mister Ree
on
July 9, 2014 10:27
This is a welcome advance by the NCPO. And typical of the so called "entertainment businesspeople" (i.e. ex-pat bar owners) they want longer hours. Just more more more... always pushing for more, and they also want to stop having to pay corrupt official to operate their sex industry outlets. This is similar to the sellers of counterfeit merchandise wanting less government payola so they can continue their illegal business. While the seedy nightlife isn't necessarily illegal, it has earned Thailand and Phuket a crappy reputation as the sex industry capital of the world, and has thus attracted a significant proportion of the underbelly of tourism. Frankly, I don't care if these things exist... if you really want it, you can find it most anywhere in the world. But I do think it needs to be reined in.
Posted by
Ed Sanders
on
July 9, 2014 10:31
Editor Comment:
Phuket? Not really high on the list of sex capitals of the world, Ed.
I'm with you on this Ed. 'Amazing Thailand' sounds disappointed and one of the many sexpats this country needs to be rid of. As an aside, having recently returned from Sukhumvit, a similer broom should be used to clean away all the beer bars and pavement sex toy sellers, during the DAY?! Nice image, Thailand.
Posted by
jonty
on
July 9, 2014 11:05
I agree with your comments Ed.. Sex shows are degrading to all women and it puts the wrong ideas into some peoples heads. What's the point of cleaning up the beaches if the Bars remain filthy?
Posted by
irishkev24
on
July 9, 2014 12:08
Everyone is talking about cleaning Bangla from sex, for tourists, but what about the original Soi 11 in Phuket town which has been raided for having children work there and the many many many more sex places available for local people, than the tourists.
Why do people think there are so many Thai Karaoke bars around? This is not just for Karaoke. If you are going to "clean" Phuket, then make sure you clean Everything, and not just the part that affects Tourist areas.
One standard should be used for ALL not for picking and choosing.
Posted by
Tbs
on
July 9, 2014 12:21
Editor Comment:
The PR problem is with sex show touts thrusting graphic cards under the noses of tourists, and the shows themselves. The shows denigrate women. Nobody is suggesting that the sex industry will cease. Your imagination is working overtime.
Well done Army. It was time to eradicate from the roots all kinds of corruption and one of the first is remain open till very late in the night against the law. This produce benefits only to the club owners. Drunk people, car and motorbike accidents, big noise for the people wanna sleep.. want enjoy a long night? Go out before because in Thailand the night comes at 7 pm
Posted by
dave
on
July 9, 2014 12:28
Ed...mmmm you might be right, I didn't realise they would both be as "blind" as the rest of the police.
Posted by
Laurie Howells
on
July 9, 2014 13:20
What is the legal closing time on Phuket and or Bangla ??
I am lead to understand its 12 midnight everywhere in the country except special designated nightlife zones, however routinely this is ignored.
Where in Phuket if anywhere is actually a designated nightlife zone ?? And what is the actual letter of the law in the case 'all laws are to be adhered to' ??
Posted by
LivinLOS
on
July 9, 2014 13:41
Editor Comment:
Phuket has dispensation to close at 1am but often stays open until 2am, I believe.
Patong is a party town and along with that comes girls and sex, get used to it. The girls are there voluntarily and make tons of money. The problem is the degrading shows and the touts. No more ping pong and no more touts. That is very easy to implement and also addresses the need to keep Thai face. Cut out the corruption but tax them as they should be. I also want to say that the tourist sex scene is only about 10% of the whole Thai sex scene. Phuket town ( and the rest of Thailand)is rife with endless sex clubs from the high end to the lowest of the lowest underage and sex slaves to a massive University student sex for sale industry. So lets be a bit truthful about the whole thing and if it's about saving souls, the Thai side of the sex industry is one of the nastiest on the planet. If its about saving face, get rid of the touts.
Posted by
EArmuffs
on
July 9, 2014 14:27
I am all for ridding Patong of the sleazy sex shows, they have no place in today's society. However, in vitally every tourist destination in the world, and I include places such as Dubai, America, Europe, no where has a closing time of 2 AM for nightclubs et cetera. Tourists come to party and enjoy their vacation - so clean up the sleaze, charge the clubs a license to open late, normally 4 AM or 5 AM, then the requirement to pay the corrupt authorities for payments are eradicated, the collected license fees can be used for legitimate purposes on Phuket to the benefit of all.
Posted by
terry
on
July 9, 2014 14:48
I didn't realise that Phuket was the table tennis exhibition capital of the world. That must be the reason why the Chinese numbers are increasing.
Posted by
Manowar
on
July 9, 2014 16:27
EArmuffs said: "The girls are there voluntarily".
All of them? How incredibly naive of you.
Posted by
Smithy
on
July 9, 2014 16:41
Ping pong touts need to go as they are just an annoying in your face rip off.
Police seem to have been trying to control them over last month by taking their signs, but just means signs have got smaller so the could hide them in their pockets but really they are tackling the problem from wrong end. They need to be fineing/shuting down the go go's that use them (especially as that's where main scam originates, tout advertises free show/120baht beer, tourist gets hit for 500plus for first beer to cover touts 'commission'). But somehow doubt that will happen due to who the owners/partners in many of the gogo's are.
Ladyboy freelaners are more difficult, over weekend police arrested them all of them, all it meant is for next few days they hung about the feeder streets and by last night most were back on bangla, probably better to just focus on registering them and keeping off Bangla before midnight/1am.
Opening hours, many think hours should should be forced back to 2am and that tourists should just 'adapt'. Yes tourists will adapt, by going to another country. 12pm curfew proved that tourists coming to party (main attraction of patong) will not start before 10/11 (beach until sunset, rest, get ready, dinner, you will rarely hit bangla earlier), during curfew most tourists still followed this pattern, even knowing they would only have an hour or two of fun. And really who wants to go direct from dinner to a disco? 2am close would basicly be end of Patong as a party holiday destination and turn it into Hua Hin.
Really surprised no one has mentioned the bars blocking the side walks with platforms,tables and chairs, bar in box vendors, Russian gogo's (all on main street unlike majority of Thai gogo's), the massive increase of farang touts/pullers and now bars on bangla main street using farang bar staff (something that is impossible to get a work permit for)
Posted by
Lashay
on
July 9, 2014 17:14
A lots of people comes to Phuket, over and over again, just becasue they like a destination where its easy to have a good life during their holiday: good weather, nice beaches AND crazy party with a great chance of finding female company.
This is normal people, mainly not "bad" people, but people that brings a lots of money to Phuket and Thailand.
In the day time they are on the beaches, shopping, eating. And in the night time they enjoys the night life of Patong!
There is a lot of places troughout Phuket where you can spend your entire holiday if you want a calm family holiday. Then you shouldnt and dont need to go to Patong or Bangla walking Street. There is a lots of other places to be. Fair!
But we shouldnt close the door for those that also appreciate good party and the crazy night life of Bangla!
Everyones that comes to Phuket can decide by them self if they want to stay in Kata/Karon/Rawai/Kamala etc to have a nice and quiet holiday, or stay in Patong where you can also have funny and crazy party!
I think that extending opening hours (as in many other party destinations of the world) and cleaning out the touts and ping pong shows is the best way to go!
Posted by
FutureOfThailand
on
July 9, 2014 18:19
Phujet is marketed is Australia as a family holiday destination and these changes will make it even more attractive.
I enjoy a night out in Bangla and its environs but I will enjoy it even more without touts shoving menus for sex shows in my face and others pestering me to have a picture taken with endangered animals like the slow Loris.
Good on PW for it's long term campaign to save Phuket and thanks to the Generals.
Posted by
Arthur
on
July 10, 2014 06:31
"Phuket has dispensation to close at 1am but often stays open until 2am, I believe"
Again I dont think the whole island does.. I did read that 'parts' of Patong were given this. But only some parts.
Would be very interesting to see some investigation int what the actual law is and where exactly its supposed to apply to.
Posted by
LivinLOS
on
July 10, 2014 07:55
While all this change is no doubt a good thing,just hope it does not change Phuket from Tom Yum to a bowl of overcooked watery cabbage. Locales of sleaze are always a tourist attraction...Soho,Kings Cross Sydney etc etc...human nature to want to take a walk on the wild side?
For "families" the sordid underbelly is after "bed time" methinks..many of whom are no doubt cocooned in all inclusive resorts.
Posted by
david
on
July 10, 2014 09:03
I wonder when the army starts to stop all kind of Prostitution, as it's also illegal in Thailand. Wonder if people would still be cheering when the beerbars will be closed.
Posted by
Domi
on
July 10, 2014 16:41
Editor Comment:
Prostitution is not unique to Thailand. Mostly it has been decriminalised lately everywhere.
Majority of the girls are pressured into this lifestyle by their family or Thai boyfriends to support them, and therefore it is not by their own freewill.
If you think young beautiful girls would go out with an old fart who couldn't hold down a relationship in their own country is for anything else other than money are seriously mistaken.
Most of the rejects should go home and have a hard look in the mirror, and repeat to yourself, "do you honestly think they would go out with you if you didn't have a fat wallet"?
Denial is always a common response to ignore the plain facts, to justify the appalling behavior of foreigners manipulating those less fortunate that have very little choice in life.
Close these seedy bars down I say, and send the perverts packing !
Posted by
reader
on
July 11, 2014 03:56
Reader, what's wrong with some of us being old farts? I can say that my thai wife, mrs Manowar 3rd is very happy and gets on very well with Mrs' Manowars 1 and 2 back home. The unknown is how they will all deal with #4 when she is eventually found. Nothing wrong with getting an update every so often but don't expect any refund on the trade in!
Posted by
Manowar
on
July 11, 2014 14:12
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Agree in parts, but the shows and dancing ladies are a tourist draw, whatever people think of them.
If it's kept to one road (Soi bangla) then with the whole of the rest of the island to visit, those tourists that don't want to see it don't have to go. Those that enjoy a night out and do want to see it still have the option. I know it's seedy etc, but I still hope people are allowed to choose, not have their whole lives dictated to.
Some freedom in life is still positive.
Posted by Amazing Thailand on July 9, 2014 08:38
Editor Comment:
''We're just giving the tourists what they want.'' That's an argument that no longer works. These sex shows denigrate Thai women - in fact, all women - and should be stopped. It's not a freedom, it's a freak show.