TotallyOz Posted January 29, 2021 Posted January 29, 2021 I was going to wander out tonight but my friend who works at Moonlight says they are still closed. Is that true of all the bars? Anyone been out to the area in past week or two? What is the status? I tried to find out of all bars can legally open. But, no luck. Quote
Guest Posted January 29, 2021 Posted January 29, 2021 According to my interpretation of this article, you should not expect the bars to open in Bangkok. I'm more optimistic about Pattaya. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2059315/covid-control-restrictions-eased-from-monday Quote
Patanawet Posted January 29, 2021 Posted January 29, 2021 There was a post today from Telephone Pub saying that starting tomorrow they will be open from 16:00 till midnight with a full food and drinks menu. Thence Thursday to Sunday inclusive. Wishful thinking? Quote
Guest Posted January 29, 2021 Posted January 29, 2021 Presumably food and drinks menu means they might manage to define themselves as a restaurant ? After reading the Bangkok Post article, I'd be surprised to see a pure bar open just yet. But alternative interpretations are welcome. Quote
anddy Posted January 29, 2021 Posted January 29, 2021 Bars/pubs/clubs remain closed in Bangkok. Telephone has operated as a restaurant in the previous, much more severe lockdown in April/May (as have other establishments in the soi) as well as initially under the current restrictions (bars closed, restaurants open but only until 9pm). They did that for a day or two and found it not to be worth their while and closed. So reopening with the relaxed hours makes some sense. vinapu 1 Quote
gerefan Posted January 29, 2021 Posted January 29, 2021 2 hours ago, Patanawet said: There was a post today from Telephone Pub saying that starting tomorrow they will be open from 16:00 till midnight with a full food and drinks menu. Thence Thursday to Sunday inclusive. Wishful thinking? The link above clearly says restaurants can open but no alcohol. So not a “full” food and drinks menu! Quote
Patanawet Posted January 29, 2021 Posted January 29, 2021 40 minutes ago, gerefan said: The link above clearly says restaurants can open but no alcohol. So not a “full” food and drinks menu! Yes we know that. And your point it? Quote
gerefan Posted January 30, 2021 Posted January 30, 2021 My point is that the Telephone Bar message which you kindly posted said FULL food AND drinks menu. That implies alcohol. Quote
Patanawet Posted January 30, 2021 Posted January 30, 2021 Thanks gerefan. Maybe I was a bit over sensitive thinking 'don't shoot the messenger'. I thought it was worth posting because it was put up before the CCSA meeting had finished and was still there throughout the day. I had a message from one of the soi4 owners late last night pointing out that several 'news outlets' had different interpretations/rumours of the announcement from each other. They think all will become clear on Monday. Quote
TotallyOz Posted January 30, 2021 Author Posted January 30, 2021 28 minutes ago, Patanawet said: I had a message from one of the soi4 owners late last night pointing out that several 'news outlets' had different interpretations/rumours of the announcement from each other. They think all will become clear on Monday. Most likely with one decree after another one to clarify the intent of the original one. It somethings just gets confusing based on who says what. I don't trust the news so much as the official announcement as they often report what one person said but the report must be approved and sent out. It is all a bit confusing to me. Patanawet 1 Quote
Patanawet Posted January 30, 2021 Posted January 30, 2021 1 hour ago, Michael said: Most likely with one decree after another one to clarify the intent of the original one. It is all a bit confusing to me. And then wait for the U-turns TotallyOz and vinapu 2 Quote
Patanawet Posted January 30, 2021 Posted January 30, 2021 16 hours ago, anddy said: Bars/pubs/clubs remain closed in Bangkok. Telephone has operated as a restaurant Most of the pubs in soi4 have restaurant licenses. Quote
TotallyOz Posted January 30, 2021 Author Posted January 30, 2021 No bars can be open. But, I went to Mega Bangna today and it took 30 min to find parking. The place was swamped. The restaurants were full, the isles you were bumped into, the stores were jammed. So, can someone tell me why it is safer to be in a mega mall with 20,000 people than a bar? Quote
vinapu Posted January 30, 2021 Posted January 30, 2021 25 minutes ago, Michael said: So, can someone tell me why it is safer to be in a mega mall with 20,000 people than a bar? because wives of people in charge miss their shopping forays but don't frequent bars too often for fear of being seen there and losing face ? TotallyOz 1 Quote
TotallyOz Posted January 31, 2021 Author Posted January 31, 2021 On 1/29/2021 at 9:34 PM, z909 said: According to my interpretation of this article, you should not expect the bars to open in Bangkok. I'm more optimistic about Pattaya. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2059315/covid-control-restrictions-eased-from-monday So question for all. This says that sex massage parlors can't open back up. I thought they were illegal in the first place? Is that not prostitution? Or, sex with massage is different than sex in beds? Quote
vinapu Posted January 31, 2021 Posted January 31, 2021 1 hour ago, Michael said: So question for all. This says that sex massage parlors can't open back up. I thought they were illegal in the first place? Is that not prostitution? Or, sex with massage is different than sex in beds? don't be too curious. When comes to that issue it's better not to ask too many question and if we must , whispering will do TotallyOz, ggobkk and Patanawet 3 Quote
Guest Posted January 31, 2021 Posted January 31, 2021 13 hours ago, Michael said: So, can someone tell me why it is safer to be in a mega mall with 20,000 people than a bar? I made the mistake of visiting Icon Siam on a Sunday in December. Very crowded. Eventually I might remember to only visit the big malls on a weekday. I presume the bar closures are due to the general hostility to such businesses and without any scientific basis. As for sex massage, as long as someone pays for the massage and not the sex, I presume It's legal ? Particularly if the business makes the appropriate payments to the mafia in brown uniforms. Quote
anddy Posted January 31, 2021 Posted January 31, 2021 5 hours ago, Michael said: So question for all. This says that sex massage parlors can't open back up. I thought they were illegal in the first place? Is that not prostitution? Or, sex with massage is different than sex in beds? vinapu's and z909's answers are correct I'd say. Also, there is no such thing as "official" sex massage parlors. What that refers to is the entirely str8 business type of "aab ob nuad" (อาบอบนวด) meaning "bathe 'bake' massage" ("bake" being sauna) which is a well defined type of massage parlor where an "attendant" helps with the whole process of bathing, baking and eventually massaging the client. Hence, technically a perfectly legal massage business. Thus, no prostitution exists there (in the same way as in Walking Street in Pattaya, which is the local police have regularly confirmed through on-site inspections). Though what the REAL business is everyone knows, hence the label "sex massage parlor" even in the press. vinapu and TotallyOz 2 Quote
Londoner Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 I notice that the some straight massage joints are called "soapies" now....and I know what their specialisms are....but are there any gay soapies? Quote
anddy Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 8 hours ago, Londoner said: I notice that the some straight massage joints are called "soapies" now....and I know what their specialisms are....but are there any gay soapies? not that I know of... Quote
Tintinx Posted February 3, 2021 Posted February 3, 2021 16 hours ago, Londoner said: I notice that the some straight massage joints are called "soapies" now....and I know what their specialisms are....but are there any gay soapies? Sure, I remember at least two of them... Adam & Eve and Nautilus. Both in the higher price range and both in North Pattaya (Soi 1 and 2). Each massage room consisted of two parts: A wet area with bathtub, inflatable mattress and shower (in that sequence). After the massage and shower you moved to the dry area, there was a large bed with linen. Well, that's how it was, but that was years ago. vaughn 1 Quote
vinapu Posted February 3, 2021 Posted February 3, 2021 two or three years ago I had soap massage in one of shops behind Tukcom. Don't remember name of the place but I reported it in my trip report. I ruined it by being to fast to move to the next stage confusing boy in the process. TMax 1 Quote
Tintinx Posted February 3, 2021 Posted February 3, 2021 16 hours ago, vinapu said: two or three years ago I had soap massage in one of shops behind Tukcom. Don't remember name of the place but I reported it in my trip report. I ruined it by being to fast to move to the next stage confusing boy in the process. This was probably Helios Massage (the former Blue House Massage, on Soi Day Night 2). Until recently they had a website, but it seems to be inactive by now: www.bluehousepattaya.com vinapu 1 Quote
vinapu Posted February 4, 2021 Posted February 4, 2021 6 hours ago, Tintinx said: This was probably Helios Massage (the former Blue House Massage, on Soi Day Night 2). Until recently they had a website, but it seems to be inactive by now: www.bluehousepattaya.com yes, it was still Blue House then, thank you for refreshing my memory Quote
Guest Posted February 4, 2021 Posted February 4, 2021 I do remember getting something like a soapy massage at Blue House a few years ago. I also have vague memories of Helios ending up in the premises next door to the original Blue House site, but am not quite sure about that. I've seen no signs of activity at Helios recently. Every other male massage shop in the area has been open, but I don't think any have a "soapy" offer. Somjit seems to have the most boys at present. Relax @Me has had the most notable decine in fortunes over the years. They used to have about 20 massage staff, of which about 75% would be male. The decline started when they put the price of an oil massage up to 400 baht well over 5 years ago. The standard price in Pattaya was 300 baht and remains 300 baht. They now have prices blanked out. They also used to deliver pretty good massages, but on my last visit several years ago, I got a masseur who had no idea how to massage. I expect better if they charge 33% more than the competition. Somjit is my preferred massage shop, with several nice boys and good service. Quote
